Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1895-10-03
Then They. Sat Down.

Then They Sat Down.
that he was not we'll and needed ply
sic. Reuben took the medicine, being
a good deal Of child under his moth
er's roof, obeying and yielding to her
in nearly all her WITNESSES, which were
leavened with much shrewdness and
knowledge of human nature
Mother" said he, ut does me no
good, but will take It to please you"
my son, you just wait; you've been
behindhand some time, and it will
take a while to get you beforehand
again. These herbs never failed in
sickness of one sort or another
Herbs, mother, are good in their
place. like the smell of them, but
the TASTE
''That's just 1t, my son; the smell is
sweet, and shows the taste is good
medicine. It's just like being in love
and marriage; one you like and the
other you must take, because it is best
for everybody and naturally follows;
and sometimes" she added, with sly
look at Reuben, sit cures love-"
"I'm not going to marry-never; so
you are out of your reckoning there,
mother"
"Well, I don't know. Your father
before you said that; so did I--until I
was asked. Nobody means what they
say when in love; or, rather they
mean just the other way. think now
I know what is the trouble with you,
Reuben" and she poured out the dose
and gave it to him, saying: "'It will
keep up your spirits, at any rate, until
Rebecca gives you some soothing
syrup-eh, my boy? So cheer up"
Reuben grew thin and nervous in
spite Of the medicine; but he went
about preparations for the winter
cruising. Bad luck continued to fol-
low him; small fares and falling prices
discouraged him more and more. But
the greater his depression the more
his mind dwelt upon Rebecca. In
some curious. involved way he had
His brother fishermen, however, be-
lieved it was all on account Of his not
wearing white mittens when he set
and handled his trawl lines, it being
in that region of fishing villages the
universal belief of superstition that
white mittens must be worn to insure
good luck In winter TRAVELLING. But
Reuben paid no attention to what he
thought was a mere fancy. He felt
rather that he was working with a
half-hearted energy, and all on ac-
count of his dubious relation with Re-
becca. He determined to see her
again and arrange to see her when
her mother was absent.
I have come to see you once MORE"
he said on meeting her; "but perhaps
I had better not come again.
why" said Rebecca, "are you not
always welcome, Capt. Gage?'
Eyes; we never quarrel-and we
never get any further along from one
time to another"
This was more than he had ever
been able to say before in regard to
their personal relation, and he was
frightened at himself. So he began
again from, what he thought was an
other point; yet, as out of the fitness
of the heart the mouth speaketh, he
could not help betraying his true feel
ings.
'I'm not getting on very we'll now;
no luck, no money and the Anna
Sheafe getting in debt. I thought
would tell you, though 1 do not know
as you care"
Eyes, do care-very much, Capt.
Gage. / knew something was the the
matter, and heard from one of the
village gossips it was because you neg
lected or sneered at the custom of
white mittens as the other
do when setting their travis.
Do you think it Is silly superstition ~
Eyes, do, in the main"
, $50 do l, when reason. At other
times half believe In 1t. There is
at the bottom Of all CON-
mon custome and beliefs, which, when
1t Is just as well to accept.
Our little village would be very duh
md uninteresting without them"
II have no particular objection to
white mittens," Reuben said. 'only
did not happen to have any"
II thought as much. You would
wear them II you had them?"
"Why, yes, I should"
Rebecca disappeared for moment,
Ind returned holding out u pair Of
,now.white mittens.
''There:'I made them for you. had
10 guess at the Size; most girls would
not. who have brothers." she said
lrchly. ''I.st mo try them on" and
tho pulled one over Reuben's hand;
,ut before she could adjust the other