The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-07-25
"what will Caleb do when he finds ,1,e

|
ne De SO veNed that he will not NEE
Inc at the station when the evening
train ari1ves9" But she had not tolf
hini when she was coming back; vet he
must know that she would not STAY il
the city over night. Somehow, the more
she thought about it the less attractive
the city, with its flower show. seemed
BY the time the train reached The
depot she was so heartily sick of hay.
ing her freedom that had there been an
opportunity for her to return home a,
once she would have done so.
Following the crowd, she entered thu
large building where the flowers were
exhibited. At first the beauty and
fragrance OF the wonderful plants and
blossoms overpowered her. The
feathery chrysanthemums, the exquis.
'te orchids, magnificent roses and
snowy lllles-how beautiful they all
werel How much more she would
nave enjoyed it If Caleb had been with
herl The ladies, SO finely 6yessed, with
their gallant attendants, and the little
children in their gay attire, seemed
|
Tired and weary at last with what
was, for her, unusual excitement,
Martha was awestruck to hear, as she
left the building. the clocks striking the
hour of five!
What shall do?" thought Martha,
only Is minutes before the train leaves,
and l shall not be able to get to the
depot If walk, and there is no room in
the street cars, not even for 'one more.
| will call cab and perhaps. if the
driver hurries, I may be there in time"
But in spite of all her efforts, the
train was leaving as she came in sight
Of the depot.
| Tears of remorse and vexation filled
her eyes, and for few moments she
was SO disappointed that everything
even the buildings and the people in
the streets-seemed in q whirl; but as
her tired nerves recovered from the
shock, she began to realize that some
thing must be done, as it was already
growing late.
Going to the telegraph office, she
sent message to her husband telling
him she had missed the train and in.
tended to walk home. She was very
familiar with the way, and it was the
time for the full moon; still she was
rather timid about going alone, but
she preferred that alternative to re-
naming in the city at strange hotel.
She had gone about mile on her jour
ney when she was overjoyed to hear
well-known voice say to her: Mrs.
Greene! is it possible that you are walk
ing alone? Where is Caleb? He's not
sick, hope! Jump into my wagon and
Twill see you safe ut your door,"
AS Mr.. Joseph Bigelow offered his
hand to help her, she could have sunk |
at his feet from fatigue and anxiety; |
thanking him, she told him she had |
missed the train and had thought the |
only way for her to get homo was to
walk.
They say the posie show is great
thing" said Farmer Bigelow; "been to
see it? l heard Caleb saying at the
post Office, last night, as to how he was
a-hurryin' with his work so as to take
you there tomorrow to celebrate some
thin'-I didn't catch on just what-bEt
s'pose he changed his mind and let
you go to-day"
Tomorrow, did you say?" asked
very family.
"Yes, I'm sure he said it was Thurs
day he spoke of, for he told Tom O'Brien
he would let him have day off, as kc
was going to take holiday"
Every word the farmer spoke seemed
like an arrow piercing her heart. What
was tomorrow but her birthday! and
while she had been thinking of Caleb
as being thoughtless of her, he had been
planning surprise for her. AS she
reviewed her "day of liberty" how she
hated herself for the utter foolishness
and selfishness that she had shown!
How worried and miserable she had
made her husband! Would they never
reach home that she might tell him she
wanted no greater pleasure than to
work and care for him?
After vainly trying to interest Martha
n conversation. Joseph Bigelow gave
up the attempt, thinking she must be
asleep. The last two miles seemed
.ndless, and when Martha saw the lights
IA the village she begged Mr.. Bigelow to
iet her down at the foot of the lane
eading to her house, as she was not
'fraid and it would take longer to go (,
~ the road. She thanked him again
or his kindness, jumped from the {
wagon, leaving him to muse on "the
,eculiarities of most women" IL
Martha found the entry door open, {
nd her husband bringing robes and
hawls to put in the buggy. as the night 6
vas chilly after the sun had gone I
lown. ooh, Caleb" she cried, and, 6
obbing as though her heart would
freak, she threw herself into his arms
md told him her story. (
How could you be so thoughtless, t
ear" was what he said. s''You made 7
ne very anxious, as you must know r
was unsafe and venturesome for you /
o undertake the lonely walk home |
fter nightfall. Thanks to Farmer b
'igelow, you have reached home safely. a
should have started at once to meet b
on after the message came, but one d
( the horses had to be shod and so 1
lust wait" 6
Martha will not soon forgive herself 3
or causing her good husband so much a
-ouble, but she wisely thinks that b
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