Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-07-26


"YoU ASK HIM; IT'S YOUR RING
Hutchins." said she; "then you get off
and drag me as far as the meeting
house. l guess that's about even"
1t was arduous, and it is probable the
little girls were much longer reaching
Bolton than they would have been had
they>traveled on their two sets of feet
all the way, but they persuaded them
selves otherwise.
"We can't be-a mite-tired," painted
Matilda, as she tugged Comfort over
the last stretch; "for we each of us rode
half the way, and mile and half
amt anything. You walk that every
day to school and back"
Eyes, do" assented Comfort. She
could not believe that she was tired,
either, although every muscle in her
body ached.
Bolton was large town, and the poo
pie from I'LL the neighboring villages
went there to do their trading and shop
ping. There was a wide main street,
it was full of sleighs and pungs and
wood sleds, and there were so many
| people that Comfort felt frightened.
She had never been to Bolton without
her father or mother. "Just look ut
all the folks!" said she, and she had an
uncomfortable feeling that they all
stared at her suspiciously, although sha
did not see how they could know
about the ring. But Matilda was
holder. "It's such a pleasant day
they're all out trading" said she.
"Guess it'll storm tomorrow Now we
want to go to Gerrish's. l went there
once with mother and Imogcn to buy n
silver spoon for Cousin Hannah Green,
when she got married."
Comfort, trailing the sled behind her,
started timidly after Matilda.
Gcrrish's was small store, but there
was large window full of watches,
and chains, and clocks, and man with
spectacles sat behind it, mending
watches.
The two little girls went in and stood
at the counter, and a thin man with
gray whiskers, who was Mr.. Gerrish
himself, came forward to wait upon
them. Matilda nudged Comfort. "You
ask him, it's your ring" she whispered.
But Comfort shook her head. She
was almost ready to cry. You'd ought
to when I'm giving you the dollar"
whispered Matilda, with another nudge.
Mr.. Gerrish stood waiting and he
frowned little; he was nervous man.
'Ask him." whispered Matilda, fiercely.
Suddenly Comfort Pcase turned her
self about and ran out of Gerrishs
with great wall of inarticulate words
about not wanting any ring. The door
banged violently after her. Matilda
Stebbins looked after her in a be-
wildered way, then she looked up at
Mr.. Gerrish, who was frowning harder
IF you girls don't want anything,
you'd better stay out of doors with your
sled" said he. And Matilda trembled
and gathered up the sled rope, and the
door banged after her. Then Mr.. Ger
IRISH said something to the man mend
ing watches in the window, and went
back to his desk in the rear of the store.
Matilda could just see Comfort run
ming down the street toward home, and
she ran after her. She could run faster
than Comfort. As she got nearer she
could see people turning and looking
curiously after Comfort, and when she
came up to her she saw she was CRYING.
why, you great baby, Comfort
Pease," said she, ''going along the road
crying"
Comfort sobbed harder, and people
stared more and more curiously. Fin
ally one stout woman in black velvet
bonnet stopped. Il hope you haven't
done anything to hurt this other little
girl?" she said suspiciously to Matilda.
mo, ma'am, amt" replied Matilda.
"What's the matter, child?' said the
woman in the black velvet bonnet to
Comfort, and Comfort choked out some
thing about losing her ring.
Where did you lose it?" asked the
woman.
II don't know" sobbed Comfort.
"Well, you'd better go right home
and tell your mother about it," said the
stout woman, and went her way with
many backward chances.
Matilda dragged her sled at Comforts
side, and eyed her obviously.
"Why didn't you get the ring when
we were right there with the gold dol
lar?" she demanded. What made you
run out of Gerrish's that way?"
I'm -goring-home." sobbed Com
tort.