The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1896-11-26
JEM HASTINGS LUCK.

JEM HASTINGS LUCK.
The Widow Wilson s farm had seen
better and more prosperous days and
ROW WAS travelling backward. 1t began
at the top of B1iudle hill where it was
bounded by the county road, and strag-
gled down to the lake shore, its hun
dred acres or so Wandering over hills
and dipping into hollows until they
terminated at the bay, with its rim of
white and glistening sand.
One of the most picturesque spots of
earth, and night i'll the center of il,
GROWING rounded knoll, surrounded
with stalwart oaks aud butternuts,
squatted the house Of its owner.
TWAS always difficult spot to reach
III winter, when the drifting SHOWS
piled high their white pillows against
the low eaved structure and hid the
windows from the outtr world. But in
summer it Was q delight, this moss
brown dwelling beneath the oaks, and
at one time had been IL home around
whose hearthst.ne had gathered sons
and daughters.
Now 1t was desolate. The passing
stranger would have but added it to the
category of deserted farms No sign of
life was visible this bright Thanksgiv-
ing morning. From its wide, paneled
chimney no curl of smoke invaded the
crisp and frosty air. The light fall of
snow that had covered the ground the
night before showed no trace of foot
steps leading from the weather beaten
door. Aud yet there was stir of life
in the farmyard, i'll the hollow among
the trees, where the old barn tottered,
ready Tor its fall. There flock of fowl
and turkeys wandered disconsolately
about. In the adjacent stall an old
horse stamped impatiently for his break
fast and forlorn COW chafed restlcssly
at her stonchions. Except for these the
old farm was as silent us when its first
owner carved il from the virgin wilder
ness. a rustling of the shrubbery that
fringed the tall, stiff ranked pines on
the hill beyond the barn told that a Wis
itor Was coming to Lonely farm A hui
man head appeared III sight 1t was
crowned by a wooden cap, from beneath
which peorcd IA pair of black. bright eyes.
Their owner took off the cap and mop
ped his brow. He was rugged country
lad Of IS, we'll knit and sturdy, with
pair Ct ruddy cheeks. white teeth and
lips rosy, but with IA droop Of sadness.
New England. always hard to her
children, had taken from this boy the
home and mother that make Thanks
giving, even as it had taken from the
widow all but the wrctched framework
of what had once been home
House looks like mothers used to
after she got so She couldn I get about, "
soliloquiZed the boy, staring at the
smokeless chimney. IN bet there amt
been nobody near the wilder in week,
aud Il bet, y bile IN a-bettin, that she
needs somebody, Guess III find out
what's the matter.
He strobe down to the house and
knocked. There was 10 response. Only
the crow i'll the oak tree was disturbed
by the unwonted noise and flew away,
with cav of alarm. A second knock
startled the fowl III the barnyard which
greeted him with suppressed chuckle,
but there was no answer from within.
"Guess | nights we'll go ill.,. He
pushed open the the crazy door and en-
tered the room which served as kitchen
and sitting room all IN one A table stood
i'll the center CT it, covered with a snowy
cloth and set rs if for supper A tall
clock licked in the corner under the
stairs, but its rhythmic beats only seem
ed to make the silence audible, ut
seems kinder creepy, that's fact Hope
there amt nothin happened to her
Wonder where she is? P'rhaps she's
asleep"
He raped loudly, and then put his
Ear down to the keyhole, listening in
tently At first there was no response
Then he thought he heard faint qua
vering voice.
ats mc-Jcm Hastings. I've come
to see if you need anybody.
Come in. The feeble voice strug-
gled with cough Then: Eyes, I'm so
glad you've come. | was taken faint
yesterday and had just strength enough
to crawl TO bed. Perhaps -
What, an you amt had nothin to
eatp'
No, " with feeble smile.
Well, if you II let me Try, I'll make
a cup Of tea. .
Jem closed the door, SET his gun in
corner and looked around for the place
in which the widow kept her stores
The dressers ranged against the wall
were bright with old fashioned pewter
platters and china. Here he found a
caddy of tea and then set about making
a fire. A huge fireplace yawned at one
side of the room, hung with black iron
crane from which was suspended a tea
kettle The woodpile was outside, near
the back door, and brushing off the
SHOW Jem soon had some dry wood, with
which he made roaring blaze. 1t was
not long before he had the satisfaction
of seeing the kettle send forth volume
of steam, and few minutes later he tap
ped again at the bedroom door with
tray, on ii tempting cup of tea and
two well buttered slices of bread
Wrapped in shawl of Canton silk,
the heirloom of grandmother whose
father once sailed from Salem to the