Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-09-26
SAM ASKED HER.

Eli the orchards flushed with rose pink
banners of bloom, and the meadows were
purpled with violets, and yet the soul OF
Mrs. Levinbolt, in the great cream colored
farmhouse on the top of the hill, was sore
disquieted within her, s.ee
sit always happens SO OF spring clean
ing" said she despairingly. EITHER a
lot Of company comes just as you've got
the carpets up and the bedsteads down, or
else your help clears off and leaves you.
Don't fret, mother" said Sam. III
help you. I'm a master hand at white
washing and guess could scrub II you
would give me brush
Mrs. Leyinbolt laughed in spite of her
vocation at the idea Of Sam, the fine gen
tleman OF the family, who was studying
for the ministry, scrubbing floors. But
Sam himself looked perfectly serious
"Why not I as well as you, mother?
I'm strong"
eyes but Hushl Who is that com
ing?"
A blue eyed girl was advancing up the
garden path with the springy, elastic foot
fall peculiar to- those who have been &C
customed to plenty Of outdoor exercise.
She smiled frankly up into the suspicious
face Of the farmers wife.
might have drink of water, please"
she said.
Certainly" said Sam at once. I'm
draw some fresh for you out Of the well. p"
"Who are your" questioned his mother
rather more warily.
my name is Jessie Maclane," she an
swcrcd simply, and am stranger in
this country. l came from Aberdeenshire,
in Scotland"
"What are you going to do?"
"rm looking for work." said Jessie
simply. II was brought up on farm,
and I'm handy and willing Do you know
of any place they 70 wanting lasS?'
And the upshot of the matter was that
Mrs Lcvinbolt took the Scotch lassie-on
trial, as it were.
Jessie proved to be the best and quick
est and most sunny tempered of serving
damsels and full of bright, good humor.
The year crcpt round, and once more the
spring returned, and Mrs. Levinbolt, true
to the calendar, tore up her carpets and
deluged every room in cleansing suds and
steam. And Jessie Maclane was with her
still.
The housekeeping was in wild career.
The carpets were on the line, and jessie
was on ladder doing a little amateur
paper hanging, while Mrs. Levinbolt pol
ished the inside of the keeping room win
dows, when the carriage from the depot
rolled up to the door.
Company" gaspcd Mrs Levinbolt.
cit always happens So" Quick as thought,
Jessie descended from her aerial elevation
and scudded to the bedroom for Mrs. Lev
inbolt's cap and q ruffled apron.
ITS young lady in brown silk tray
cling suit" whispered breathless Jessie.
Mrs. Levinbolt groaned. Its my cousin,
Miles Hcnshaw's daughter, Sybilla, come
to make visit " she sighed. Miss Syblla
Hcnshaw was from the city, neither quite
SO young nor so pretty rs she once had
been, but amazingly well preserved. She
had come out into the country ostensibly
to visit her cousin, Jerusha, but in reality
to marry Sam
.Jessie's heart sank within her at the
sight of Miss Henshaw's silks and laces
and chains and bracelets.
But Sybilla's eyes We're keen enough to
discern possible rival in the blooming
little Scotch girl, and she resolved to get
her out of the way. When Sam Levinbolt
came IN to supper the third day after Miss
Heushaw's arrival, he found Jessie crying,
his mother amazed and doubtful and
Syhlla wrathful
OF course she has taken it'' cried
Synila. who else would touch my
portamonnaio2 And it was on my dressing
bureau this morning when she went into
mako the beds, and now it is gone"
stop, Sybila," said Sam courteously,
but very firmly. mo one calls Jessie q
thief in my hearing. Mother, you should
know better than that"
But" stammered Mrs. Levinbolt Ill
Sybilla's pocketbook Is really gone'--
Sybilla drew out her pocket handkcr-
chief to wipe away an imaginary tear OF
injured innocence and with it tumbled
out something on the floor Sam stopped
and picked it up, handing it with a bow
to his cousin.
Your pocketbook, Sybilla"
Miss Henshaw turned scarlet and bit heI
lip
How very careless of mel she said in
choked voice. Il must have put 1t there
myself and forgotten all about it"
That evening in the purple dusk, after
Miss Henshaw had gone up stairs to pack
her trunk-for the spring campaign had
evidently proved a failurc-Jessie Maclant
came to where Mrs Levinbolt was sitting
planning whether she should begin the
garnet next day or the best parlor.
Mrs. Lovinbolt," said the girl simply
81 have come to tell you that
Not that you are going, and in the
very midst of housekeeping" shrieked
Mrs. Levinbolt
No" said Jessie, coloring like rose
'If you like, l will stay at the farm al
ways for Sam has asked me to marry
him"
And Jessie Maclane cried and laughed
in tho same breath. Boston Globe.
In Their own Language.
nersonape almost as widely known In