Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-10-15
DR.. PETTINCILL'S
K|DNEY-WORT
TABLETS; -; ; ::..'*'
Rabarl1ab.


Everybody for miles around came to
the chicken-pie dinner. The oak
boards which served as tables We're
spread in q great pavilion of trees
through which the winds swept-a soft
whisper in the green above, a harsh
crackle in the leafy catacombs below.
The men were grouped about watch
ing the women lay the tables. At each
end was placed large pan of pie with
jets of steam coming at intervals
through the crust to tickle the noses of
the eApectant farmers. GIG
A voice broke the hush of prepara-
ton, where's Rainier"
The speaker, an angular woman in
lark blue calico, was dexterously cut
ting bread, the loaf held against her
chest. At every swing of the knife
toward her. soggy slice dropped with
a thud to the table.
Where on earth can Ramie be?
Do you know, SAM" The youth ad-
dressed stood gloomily looking down
the road. At the question he half
turned, grumpily. Don't ask me-" &
The woman dropped the knife and
faced him squarely. For the lands
sake, Samuel, 1 thought you was goin'
to fetch herr ..
b 'No-she shook me for TO-. the dude
farmer" .i i~.4.
The mother made no reply, divided
between her old allegiance to Samuel,
and fattered vanity at her daughters
new admirer. .... .-. 49,. ,.t ......ift
For Samuel, as owner and pilot of a
low <>c
river trade, was a sutton not to !, be
despised: on the other hand, Mrs.
Calder declared there never was a
Perkins born that had the style of this
new fellow from the city. He, tooi
seemed prosperous, with vineyards.
laden, and Crawfords the talk of the
county. And then his clothes-the
mother sighed; she couldn't blame
Rahamah, but-there was the boat and
Samuel only charged them half rates
for their freight and-"Well,, de-
clare" was the spoken finish to her
thoughts and a rush of embarrassed
pleasure .purpled the high cheek bones;
There, coming up the road, was
Rahamah. swinging cotton parasol
iauntily and. beside her, walking with
easy assurance, was the gentleman
farmer. The pair was received with
rustic indifference varied by an occa-
sional bovine stare. Samuel Perkins
frowned darkly. silent as they APP
preached.
"Howdy do. SAM" the girl said
carelessly. but her color deepened as he
turned away with rude grunt.
Our bucolic swain has lost his
,n,.1y> f0I
Ramie. Then as the others moved
toward the tables he calmly arranged
q place for her and as calmly took the
next seat.
Here Rahamah's mother hustled up:
SAM" she called. ''come, sit here"
and with evident desire to pour oil on
the waters she prepared a place on her
other hand for the half
eager half-reluctant boatman.
And to the three the dinner seemed |
long. The stranger was bored. anxious
for further tete-a-tete with this rustic |
maiden whose beauty offered as attrac- !
tive a field for conquest as the richest |
land.
And glaring at him-Inad with
jealousy, was the miserable Samuel.
restrained from show of violence only
by the slim bundle Of muslin between.
She said little, alternately bestowing
coquettish glances at the cool, self
possessed admirer on the one hand and
smiles, deprecatory and remorseful. at
the chatting lover on her left.
There was little talk during the meal.
Occasional sallies of wit and repartee
we're chiefly confined to discussion of
the relative gustatory capacity of the
guests. One threatened to get up and
shake down SOS to make more room."
This elected roars of laughter and the
effort that he had better get up or the
bench would break"
With these ana kindred flights the
neal progressed, concluding with a
solemn quotation from Watts. offered
through Farmer brakes beard
He who feeds the birds that fly,
Will our daily wants supply"
Rahamah's escort remarked under
,reath: But the feeding of birds is a
inecure in comparison" and she turn
u laughingly from him to meet the {;
ROWING gaze of Samuel, what did he
ay?" he demanded. |!
'Its not worth while telling you,"
he said airily, II don't believe you'd
understand"
By this time they had risen and Sam {
ed Ramie away from the crowd. Com
ng closer he half whispered. Il UNDER
tand more than you think. my fine /
ady." T
She opened her big eyes wider.
HUH" she asked, innocently.
Wasn't I going to take you to this
ocial? Wasn't a
What made you think you were: {
lid YOU ask me?' she flashed.
He hesitated, confused, and she con-
Inued. mo, you didn't ask me-you
,ok it for granted that I'd be glad to
o with YOU. You told ma you'd call I
-, -. .r+ ,,,Xe all YOUR message No e