Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-04-27
In the Saltwater Column.

or awe on nef lounu littie '"N''
Slyvy had never felt on quite the same
familiar ground with jeff since he had
set up a literary stand and hau
pieces" in the paper. That invested
him with II distinct dignity.
"Oh. my" Sylvy edged nearer. nj
tering n little sound that stood for as
constituent. why, Jeffy. hasn't sent
his piece yet. What'll they do If they
don't get it? They couldn't have any
paper then" she was gazing admir-
ingly at the pages that were covered
with TIE "fizzing" saltwater news
She could not read them, but she knew
they were beautiful, and the idea "'
their being wasted was not TO De
borne. No, they must go to the Eagles
Vile Home Journal right away. She
would mail them for Jelly. Ii was
half a mile to the postoflice and II was
hot-my. how hot. But that letter
must go.
Sylvy refolded the sheets in the
creases jeff had made the first time.
and tucked them carefully into the adj
dressed envelope beside them. Then II
I was the work of Il moment to seal the
4 letter.
I I'm pay my two cents for the stamp
j to it," thought Siyvy generously. Il
was going 10 buy two tany sticks,
but never mind. I'd Il good deal rather
have Jeffys piece go.
The tip Of the eastern wing of the lit
tie city Of Eaglcsville was usually
spoken of as The Gibbs Neighborhood.
The Gibbsless houses in it were rare
executions. II the peopi" were not al
ready Gibbs. they had, as rule. either
once. been Gibbs. or would be some
| time. Gibbs babies We're pushed up
and down the neighborhood in peram-
bulators Gibbs boys and girls traii-d
| upwilljngly to school every morning. IN
crisn. clean aprons, and every after
noon whooped noisily home, unstarched
ana so.ied Comely Gibbs matrons
compared notes with each other on
teething remedies and the best way TO
break in new servants, ana blbbS
fathers came up town together at
night. For so small an area the mum
her Of Gibbs was remarkable. And
there was a distinct family feeling
among them. They stood by each
other in joy or disaster.
One morning, a wave or excitement
swept slowly over The Gibbs Neigh
<
,led from door to door with Miss
Iavina Gibbs and the Eaglesvill-
Home Journal. still damp from the
press. Miss Lavinia held her fore
finger glued TO a special paragraph in
the saltwater column. Gibbs after
Gibbs leaned over and inspected the
paragraph earnestly.
Poor Homer one said. He was
a. t,,,, M i,,,r
down" cried another Gibbs disapprov-
ing, but with an undertow OF sym
pathy flowing beneath the words.
And precipitated him to the
ground -" another read slowly. But
you see. Laviny. it says he still lives.
That is n comfort.
"Yes-cs" Miss Lavinia admitted
gravcly. but you needn't tell me-
Homer Gibbs is either dead or next
thing to it, He isn't the kind of man
to be precipitated' with impunity
Poor Homer
Poor Homer" echoed the others
heartily. and the exclamation rose IN
a COMMUNICATING chorus from me
Gibbs Neighborhood. Il think We
ought to do something" Miss I-avinia
urged at every door. We're all
Cibbccs. and it won't look right not L"
show our sympathy. What woui
advise would be for any ard all OF us
that can ride over to saltwater TINS
afternoon and call on Homer-or ms
folks
Miss I.avinia's voice dropped solemn
" at the last three words, ana inc
hearers nodded their understanding
sadly. of course, ii was more than
likely Homer was dead.
..PrObablv the notice was written
day of two ago. In that case we may
be there just at the-right time, you
know" whispered Miss Lavinia. Il
should be glad to have as many ilDo-
ses as possible represented at the-at
time like that. to show there was no
family prejudice when IL came to be-
reavement."
That there had hitherto been fam
lily prejudice" against poor Homer.
Miss I.avina did not need to explain
to any Gibbs. 1t was an old trouble
that reached back to HOmers ances-
tor and had set him apart from the
ancestors Of The Gibbs Neighborhood.
There had been but the slightest. stiff
est intercourse between the third and
fourth generations.
That afternoon quiet little Saltwater
was interrupted by a cross stream IF
vehicles that turned in. everyone IF
them. at Homer GibbS's driveway.
The Saltwater people We're amazed.
A stream of Gibbses turnin' in ut
Homer's, Was the world comm to an
end before night?
Miss Lavinia was in the first team
| She descended heavily and knocked at
Homer Gibbs's front door. The SOL
emn stiffness that pervaded the place
drew donw the corners of her mouth
appropriately. A bright young gill
answered her knock. To Miss Lavinia s
diSpleaSure she smiled. Homer"
breathed Miss Lavinia. softly. the
rest of her question in her serious
face. 1--WE saw the notice in the
paper. you know. this morning. AS
many Of us as could came right over.
When did he-er-was il attended with
much suffering?"
My graciOus!" calculated the girl
in the doorway. Then she added
hastily. ooh. beg your pardon. but l
don't know the least thing your driv-
ing at. I'll call father. Father. He's
shaving. but I guess he's about
through. Father And before Miss