The Canton times. (Canton, Miss.) 1893-1906, 1896-06-12
tors with kindred spirits; then what .

| IulI moon SHINING on the SHOW bitc .
were full of happiness, and when the,
reached home, how proud she was Il
show him her purchases, in which h
was always deeply interested.
| The steam cars passed through the
village to the city only three times each
day, and as Martha took her seat in the
rear car the bell at the factory was
ringing the noon hour.
what will Caleb do when he finds the
| little note by his plate?" she murmured
TO herself. "Gone to the city" and hel
name was all she had written. 'Will
he be so veSed that he will not meet
me at the station when the evening
train arrives?" But she had not told
him when she was coming back; yet he
must know that she would not stay in
the city over night. Somehow, the more
she thought about it the less attractive
the city, with it's flower show, seemed.
By the time the train reached the
depot she was so heartily sick of hav-
ing her freedom that had there been an
opportunity for her to return home at
once she would have done so.
Following the crowd, she entered the
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-
tie orchids, magnificent roses and
snowy lilies-how beautiful they all
were! How much more she would
have enjoyed it if Caleb had been with
her! The ladies, so finely dressed, with
their gallant attendants, and the little
children in their gay attire, seemed
even TO belong with the flowers.
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 I shall not be able to get to the
depot if 1 walk, and there is no room in
the street cars, not even for 'one more!'
I will call cab and perhaps, if the
driver hurries, 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 a 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 a
voice say to her: Mrs.
Greene! is it possible that you are walk
ng alone? Where is Caleb? He's not
sick, hope! Jump into my wagon and
will see you safe at 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 home was TO
walk.
They say the posie show is great
thing" said Farmer Bigelow; been to
see it? 1 heard Caleb saying at the
post office, last night, as to how he was
l-hurryin' with his work SO as to take
you there tomorrow to celebrate some
thin'-I didn't catch on just what-but
s'pose he changed his mind and let
you go to-day"
Tomorrow, did you say?" asked
very family.
Eyes, I'm sure he said it was a Thurs
day he spoke of, for he told Tom O'Brien
be would let him have day off, as kc
himself 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 a 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 yainly trying to interest Martha
in conversation, Joseph Bigelow gave
up the attempt, thinking she must be
asleep. The last two miles seemed