Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-10-25
THE DAILY STORY
Miss Abigal's Ward

as long as he lived, and when he died the
younger Joys took Il up and continued
II down to Miss Abigail.
II Miss Abigail had ever found a young
man related to the Mayhower and Ply
mouth Rock and pork and beans, she
would have fallen i'm love, but such a
one had never appeared.
When Miss Abigail was twenty-five
years old. a great trial came TO her
Owing to an accident and n death she
was In way forced TO take 10 her home
and care for a girl relative ten years old
The name was Mildred Drew. The child $
father had come of Pilgrim stock, but her
mother could not be traced back further
than John Hancock. John had been the
first to sign the Declaration Of Independ-
ence. but what was that compar red with
landing at Plymouth Rock? Miss Abigail
must take care Of Mildred. but as she
though OF that half-blood she shuddcred.
Would Mildred -romp and play and
tear her dresses? Would she jump a
ditch, climb a tree or hit a boy in the
ear with a SNOWFALL? Would she want
TO skate on the pond or slide down the
long hill?
No one but an old maid and a Joy
can tell what Miss Abigail suffered as she
thought OF these things. Even the idea
of a tin peddler winking at the little
girl over the gate made her shudder In
a way to unite her shoestrings,
And this was the prim. proper and
precise woman that the young girl came
to after being brought up like other lit
tie girls TO the age of 10. Thence for
ward she was to be an automaton. She
| might talk. but very quietly She might
| sing. but very softly. She might walk,
| but Il should be with dignity. If she
| started to laugh she must check II.
Mildred was 16 when Tommy Barnes
| came. Miss Abigail had to have some
| Onp To pnNN
| cut the wood. Tommy was the son OF
sea captains widow, and he was 70
| receive 50 per week and board and eat
by himself in the kitchen. More than
that, the old maid said to him:
you must not think OF speaking to
! Mildred unless she speaks to you"
"Yes, marm."
"You are to call her Miss Drew"
| Yes, marm,"
And the law was also laid down to the
| girl as to her conduct, and, of course
the result was to make both the young
folks hypocrites and deceivers. They
| p!tied each other at the beginning, and
1t was not long before the pity turned &c
love. They made chances to talk, and
| though they were caught at It after
awhile and Tom was discharged they
found opportunities to meet now an6
then.
Tom went to work in a factory where
|
years passed drearily enough for him anC
the girl. When she had reached her 20tf
year, and he his majority, they haC
never had a chance to talk together fol
half an hour. They had never writer
a note to each other. Miss Abigail wal
fattering herself that she had brough
UP her wprd in a way to do the Pilgrim
Fathers proud, when things began T.
happen. She fell downstairs and brok
all arm, and for a time she could no
play the watchdog.
During this time Tom said to Mildred
"I have saved half enough money to bu.
| a schooner and am going coasting. Cap
tain Baker will go with me the first year
AS soon as the craft is paid for we will
be married. You had better tell Miss Abb
gal and prepare her for It.
"Why, she will turn me right ou
doorsl" was the reply.
"Then you will live with mother"
II took a week for Mildred to get he
courage up. She had never in the slight
est opposed Miss Abigail. Nothing bu
| love could have given her the courag
| to do SO now, for she was sure or tn
outcome She had to love in secret bu
perhaps 1t was stronger for That. Sh
realized that her life was being warpe
and spoiled, and she chung to Tommy a
her anchor. One evening IN Volc
scarcely above a whisper she said to ne
guardian.
would you care much II Tom Barne
and me got married?
The old maid turned and started at her
"In-in a year from now?"
Put on your hat and shawl
She held the door open while the gii
nassed out into the night. It was a crue
thing TO do, and she had done It cruelty
but she must uphold the traditions o
the Pilgrim Fathers.
'I must go down to the wharf and tel
Tom," said the girl. 90.
She did not beg to be taken back. Sh
did not weep. She was not at all irlgh'
oned nor greatly surprised.
A. the wharf Law Toms schooner, tn
None such" Such had cargo aboarc
and would sail with the morning td'
Mildred stood at the edge OF the whaI
and called, but no one appeared
"But / must see Tom and tell hir
what has happened" said the glrl, an
she climbed over the low ran ana it Iou.i
a place to sit down out or the gust
which were coming oftener and stronse
Mildred had been aboard ten minute
when there came a movement OF u
craft that would have told any one tht
her mooring lines had parted ana tht
she was driving out of the harpor upo
the tumbling sea. Scream after screai
was uttered, but the gale stopped thei
| lIlre a wall. When the schooner bega
10 pitch and roll the girl found her wa
10 the cabin, and sat there in a daz
She was being blown straight out 10 Sc
THE fact that the craft had no sail ar
: was not too heavily loaded saved her Il
? the night, but 1t was a night to long r
? | member. The schooner was a mere ch
. for the waves TO play with. When NOR
ing came and the gale abated the moi
, | such' was so miles off shore The 81
! found some provisions and prepare
r breakfast.