The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-09-26

"Her husband was morose old Scot
once, believe, a weaver, but Al that time
earning ten shillings a week as a night
watchman In the streets Wrinkled like
sea~sed, with mouth 40 contated tina
his nose and chin almost met, and with an
inscrutable expression OF the eyes. this
msn. who scarcely ever spoke, had been
IN his youth a strong Radical q member
OF several societies tor the destruction of
society. and actually a. the time Of his
marriage lahoring to save the required
sum for admission 10 some utopian COLONY
IN America whose chief law was 10 be
community OF goods. But he had met
| his fate and married ana nothing further
was heard OF this land OF promise The
ten pounds which hc had scraped toget h
er for this project remained I'M the saw
ings bank, = provision for old age. This
strangely mated couple had one son. a
hunchback cobhler. who had hard work
90 live, and who cherished a secret dislike
toward his father.
The old man was. should think. the
most silent person under heaven: but
certainly, for a man who said so little.
he appeared TO have good deal confided
10 him. The box, like coffin planted
on end. IN which he sat ouNtha night be-
hind his brszier OF glowing Goals. so at
tractive a sight i'm the cold dark street
seemed tn he meeting place for wand
erers and odd fish OF all kinds out of
the darkness Of the overhangiug storagcs
these night birds would appear singlv.
IN twoes and threes. sometimes IA whole
companies. attracted like moths 20 the
Irresistible centre of light and warmth.
Watching this circle ~ haggard faces
under the inlpish ,reaks OF the hrelight.
one might have thought that this gather
ing in the midst Of heaped timber and
road wreckage had the appearance OF a
conspiracy. as n some dark understand
ing drew those aliens together
AS might be supposed the aueerest
wanderers aioat came 10 the lodge i'm
that part OF the town. mariners who ap-
peared az night from one end OF the globe
and sci out in the morning for the other:
and on an afternoon I'm winter two men
came TO The Rovers' Return. one the cap
tain OF small sailing vessel. surly and
red eyed and full of oaths. and with him
his only passenger, lean, bilious looking
man OF no settled occupation The old
woman. Isabel Ferguson took q sudden
and violent dislike 10 this lodger. for no
apparent reason, seeing that he paid regu-
larlN ana gave no trouble. But she call
ed him a spy and. as was remembered after
ward she had been heard TO say, When
that man comes into the room It's for me
90 go out
The captain in his turn had settled
with himself that Il was point OF honor
In him 10 escort his passenger round the
sights or the port. Every day. therefore.
while the vessel remained I'm dock hA and
his friend would set out 10 see the sights,
ana since these, 90 TIE sailor. meant often
the red lamps OF the tsverns. their tour
ney would always end i'm one OF the In
Vulnerable places which entertain those
in or attached % maritime pur-
SUITS once settled i one ~ these places
The captain would refuse 20 stir: and
there he would sit so long az he had
money in his pocket. burning himself up
with rum and calling on the crowd who
came and went between the swinging
doors TO live merrilY. by which he ap-
partently meant 20 drink deeply
Then his companion. freed from this
Did man Of the sea, would wander about
The port. finding his way always at night
Tall To tho place where old David Fer
Susou watched by his flre Seated on a
pile OF timber he would observe the
gloomy looks OF his companions. aud with
'ommiseFation for their misfortunes
would talk much OF America and freedom.
~ enequal marriage laws. Of the shack
es OF Englishmen. OF freedom again and
always Of America. and once more Amer
ca. until the circle of outcasts. who had
lothing to gain or lose N an empire fell
would sit half through the night ard pity
themselves and the minmanaged country. |
happening 10 pass one night and seeing
he close interest ~ the men. STAYED |
or a minute to listen. The speaker was
describing some ideal state which existed |
n America. but not until he named the /
tate did II occur 10 me what the man was |
fter Tn Utah was his words why, |
he fellows Mormon said 20 myself: !
nd tust then old Ferguson who had been |
Gaming on his shed with his eyes fixed !
N the nre. his mouth so contracted that n
eemed 10 have disappeared altogether,
~ attitude expressing the closest alton
ion. bent down 70 reach coal for his Gre
Z the same time asking some question
2 the Mormon which did not hear.
" As old as he likes to ioir replied the
ian. As I came away. an old man left
he circle and ioiuted mo. Hes got a
cal 60 say for himself that theer.' he OBJ
erved
. It's more 81 Il worth rnuch?" asked.
" 'Fh. 7 don't know. 7 nav no attention. |
iust sits me down and warns myself
; slwavs. and then comes away and
aves him - his talking but he's nIentv
say isughted and haas the
IA man goodnight md wen, on home.
linking no more ~ the ~ tier
'F For nearly two months n seems the
psscl remained IN dock undergoing re-
'irs. and AZ the spd ~ that time the
hulous csrtalr and his friend disapnear-
J. and were ~ever heard ~ AGAIN to my
HovlcdRe Their nlace AZ The Rovers'
e'urn was slled ~ once hv other lodser.
'd in short tirre everyone hsd forget
m them.
''ri v,ss > month later that tho s,r1,,-
= lncidsrt oecurr~d which am about ~
ia,~ - ~ou vesurnins ~ wv hou..
~ nlRft stood fov q rronaent or two |
Tho inn ~ str..i ieotgrv down unor |
10 rive- ~hich vhh i,s ishis and .t~
'is. had the --~~srsres 80 vss, niu |
inaiiop s'"sishi So~- ne h'r ain~s5
= dcuh's ro- - stree, lamps dispisyirr