The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1901-03-08
CHAPTER TX.
SIX LITTLE GRAVES.


one. She and Philemon had come from
Dorchester some 20 or more years be-
fore to escape the sorrows associated
with their native town. They had left |
behind them six small graves in Port
chester churchyard, but though evil
dences of their atfliction were always
to be seen in the countenances of Ell
ther they had entered with so much
purpose into the life of their adopted
town that they had become persons of
note there till Philemon's health began
to fail, when Agatha quit all outside
work and devoted herself exclusively
to him. OF her character and winsome
personality we can gather some idea
from the various conversations carried
on that day from Dorchester green to
the shipyards in Sutherlandtown.
In Deacon Brainerds cottage the dis
cussion was concerning Agatha's lack
of vanity virtue not very common at
that time among the women of this
busy seaport.
"For a woman SO handsome" the
good deacon was saying, land think
can safely call her the finest featured
woman who ever trod these streets, she
showed as little interest in dress as
any one ever saw. Calico at home
and calico at church, yet she looked as
much of Il lady in her dark sprigged
gowns as Mrs Webster in her silks or
Mrs. Parsons in her 1000 sealsilin.'
AS this was topic within the scope
of his eldest daughters intelligence
she at once spoke up: Il never thought
she needed to dress so plainly. don't
believe in such a show of poverty my
self. If one is too poor to so decent, all
right; but they say she had more lnon-
ey than most any one in town. | Won
der who is going to get the benefit of
itY'
3Why. Philemon of course. That is,
as long as he lives. He doubtless had
the making of it.
..1s it true that he's gone clean out of
his head since her death:" interposed
a neighbor who had happened in.
$50 they say. l believe Widow Jones
has taken him into her house
1'Do you think asked second
: daughter, with becoming hesitation,
'sthat he had anything to do with her
death? Some of the neighbors say he
struck her while in Que of lis crazy
fits, while others declare she was killed
by some stranger equally old and al
most as infirm.'
eve won't discuss the subject OBJ
jected the deacon. Time will show
who robbed us of the greatest hearted
nd q hi 10 N
parts"
"And will time show who killed Bat
sy? 1t was a morsei of a girl who
spoke; the least one Of the family. but
the brightest I'm sorry for Batsy
she always gave me cookies when
went to see Mrs. Webb"
"Batsy was good girl for Swede,'
allowed the deacon's wife, who had not
spoken till now. when she first can!t
ship we all remember. there was some
struggle between Agatha and me as to
which of us should have her. But
didn't like the task of teaching her the
name of every pot and pan she had tt
use in the kitchen, SO gave her up t.
/ Agatha. And it was fortunate l did
for I've never been able to understand
her talk to this day"
Il could talk with her right well.
lisped the little one She never called
things by their Swedish names unless
she was worried. and never worried
her,
81 wonder if she would have wor
SHIPPED the ground under your feet. a:
she did that under Agatha?" asked
the deacon, eying his wife with jus
the suspicion of a malicious twinkle il
his eye.
Il am not the greatest hearted ant
most capable woman in town." retort
ed his wife, clicking her needles as sh
went on knitting.
In Mr.. Sprague's house on the oppo
site side of the road Squire Fishe
was relating some old tales of bygon
Dorchester days. 81 knew Agath:
when she was a girl" he avowed. Ssh
had the grandest manners and til
most enchanting smile of any rich 0
poor mans daughter between the coas
and Springfield. She did not dress i
calico then. She wore the gayes
clothes her father could buy her, an
old Jacob was not without means t
make his daughter the leading figure i
town. How we young fellows di
adore her. and what lengths we wen
to win one of her glorious smiles. Tw
: f)f us, John and Jacob label, have live
ibachelors for her sake to this very da.
Xbut l hadn't courage enough for tina
~ J married and Something betwee
\ sigh and a chuckle filed out the sci
tence.
What made Philemon carry off tt
prize? His good looks?"
Eyes, or his good luck. 1t WASH
his snap, of that you may be sur
james label had the snap, and he WE
her first choice, too, but he got int
some difficulty. ! never knew jul
what it was, but it was regarded as S
rious at the time, and that match We
broken off. Afterward she marie
Philemon. You see, | was out of
altogether, had never been in it pc
- IL.