The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-08-23
SEE THE SIGN AGAIN.


That evening was made memorable for
two things-one that happened at Maiden
head. and one that happened elsewhere.
But how could one forsee? How sad II
is that God. who sends US the warning,
has not endowed us with intelligence
enough 10 understand IT. Much could
not be expected from a boy of Is. though
even he might have seen something had
he taken the trouble to look. But In
no way was the superior OF other boys.
Power was not given me 70 peer behind
the curatin OF the future.
That night passed very pleasantly. We
drove into Maidenhead, as arranged. had
dinner there and afterward visited the
entertainment. over which. 1 remember,
4 roared with laughter. / would give
something to be able 10 laugh now over
such imbecilites, but I think all the
laughter died In me that night. just as
some men dissipate wildly before they
blow their brains out or crack jokes In
the face OF death, so drew l the longest.
ioudest and last note OF laughter out
of me on that ocoasion--that ie. laughter
free or thought, of intellectual restraint.
Scfnetimes would like 10 laugh, but re-
membering l stop as one who has no right
TO he merry. The bone clapping Christy
Is TO me a sight as sad as death itself; the
Jar and Jingle OF the tambourine set every
nerve I'm me shuddering.
The drive back after the performance
was delightful. albeit that the night was
very dark. But IL was a clear. good
road, our horse was a sure-footed beast,
and Uncle Jim, who was an excellent
whip. knew every inch of the way. SO
we dashed along In fine style. the great
lamps projecting their glare into the
~ haA lie af..
and being. like myself. in excellent spirits
he chanted snatches OF the comics songs
we had but lately heard. And yet over
there through the darkness, where We
could not see, what was happening? oh,
heavensl
/ slept so soundly that night that I
did not awake until close upon 9 O'Clock
OF the following morning. and then II was
the opening OF my door that caused me
TO raise my heavy eyelids. There stood
Uncle Jim. the inevitable pipe between his
lips.
Now. then. sleepyhead." he cried. ARE
you going to stay there all day."
Once awakened IL did not take me long
TO dress. and after a sturdy breakfast
/ reported myself TO hire In the stable
yard, and about an hour after we set out
on our return Journey. And still no
shadow darkened the sun. The air was
fresh and balmy I drew Il in deeply and
hummed to the whirl OF the wheels.
was not a little astonished upon
driving up 10 our gate 10 see that the
blinds had not yet been drawn, for my
mother was usually an early riser. and /
knew that one of her first acts was TO
draw the blinds and open the windows.
My uncle also noticed that something was
anlss and made some Jocular allusion 10
the household having oversight itself, then
bidding me hurry and wake them up I
sprang from the trap. opened the gate
and rushed up the path; but, though i
knocked loudly upon the door, received
no answer 20 my summons. Knocked
again and again and put my ear close to
the keyhole, hoping to hear the sound OF
her feet, the swish OF her skirts. as she
came along the passage. but an awful
stiffness pervaded the whole house. a
stiffness which fell like chill upon me.
Leaving the door, l went first TO tho
dining room window, then TO that OF the
drawing room. but they were both Sc
curely fastened. / raped on each OF
them I'm turn, and still no answer came to
relieve the sickening anxiety which had
now taken possession OF me.
cant you make them hear?' shouted
my uncle. who. sitting high up In his
dogcart, easily overlooked the gate and
commanded a view Of the pathway.
l shook my head.
"Then go round TO the back and see IL
you can find the girl. / suppose your
mother has gone TO DO her marketing"
Ours was a square, two-storied building
standing IN it's own grounds Before IL
was a pretty little patch of flower garden
which gave on TO the roadway; behind
was our kitchen garden, inclosed by a
low brick wall Beyond that again were
fields and in the distance the roofs and
chimneys Of a few scattered houses. /
hurried round TO the back by the side
path and searched the garden In vain for
the sight OF a huttering petticoat
passed by Janets room (Janet was the
servant, who had been with us for the