The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1869-12-16

ath BloA tut tOfneDO0yi uhrNcy
is a glorious fellow somgtimes; 4 II
that fslleE docs npt send home my
photograph by, to morrow, I'm
just gong TO send for It. And
now, Maggie Meredith, il you make
d fool Of yourself another miDpto
longer, for ,any7biped under The
sun, you deserve the rack. You
do hate beggars; stick 10 it," and
Maggie surveyed herself in the
mirror, and promised she wolld.o
10 "Miss Maggie" said the cook,
breaking sin upon her reverie.
"there's an old man down to the
door who wants something to eat,
and a job Of light work. Och, he's
a asick looking old iollar en- tirely.
Will ycbe alter coming down,
Miss?" s-,.,.il.rq, al, q,
"Anotheg. .beggar!" unused Mag
gio, "I'm thankful Auutie is out, Or
I might receive q lecture on the
beauties Of consistency. l wasn't
born with any OF that, either, =
Well" said she, opening the back
area door, where the old man
stood, what can I do for your
Cook tells me. you are i'll and hun
cry, and want"
Yes, Miss" said tho old bundle
of tatters, in low, trembling tones.
"What is tho matter with your
and Maggie's voice was full Of sym
patby. 81 w
"Ohl nothing but tho rheumatic
I've had it all winter. It's all !
can do TO take a step. Bnt, Tor
the love OF mercy, gve me a mouth
full 10 cat; I'm almost starved"
"Come into the kitchen, and
we'll sec what we can DO for you
Cook, get him a good warm cup Of
coffee, and whatever you have got
good tc cut. Would you like lc
wash your face and hands?"
"Oh yes, ma'am, If you please,
replied the beggar. II was try
ing TO put in some coal for the
folks below, but 1 was obliged tc
leave it. | hadn'tgot the strength
Maggie with her own handi
placed q basin of water, soap, and
towels before him; poured out hil
coffee, and set the chair to The
kitchen table. ~t.'
Nov eat just as much as you
cam" said she, filling his plate
"How much coal did you put in
for the family below"
"Oh, about half a ton" -'i'"
swell, and didn't they pay you
for thati" ofa
ooh, no, ma'am," be replied
"How could l expect it when
didn't do as l agreed to?''
swell, that man deserves hang
ing. I'd take my affidavit that i
was q man who made that bargain
with you. and allowed you, hun
cry and sick, to leave without be-
ing paid; no womNn would cvei
serve human being SO scurvy {
trick ..- .a.l.. ri
The old man pressed his hanC
to his face a moment, and then re
piled:
"Ycs, my dear Miss, it was I
man; but then there are very few
like you in the world"
THAT'S So" sho replied, ant
burst into q hearty laugh. Every
tcw like mo, you poor sick ole
man; very few like me, indcedl-
You wouldn't believe now that =
hate bcggars, would youP That
have no patience with anybody
who is poor, i'll, or unfortunate2-
Oh, pshaw, what in the world an
| talking about? Why, bless you
soul, good man, you haven't eater
enough to keep a mouse alive
Now tell me about this rheuma'
tism. Where does it trouble your
I'm my knees, Miss and The
old man again hid his face in hi'
hands, .-r s..t .t1.l
60 10 my closet" said she to
the servant, and bring mo that big
bottle of liniment. III give then
a real good rubbing myself, and
then you can take the bottle hom,
and bathe them two or three timei
day. Rheumatism must be ter
rible."a "a''5i 'j''l-t
Bridget returned with the de
sired article, and Maggie took .hel
scat ou the floor. r I'm
"Oh, no, Miss" said tho beggar
u strange trcmor in his voice, -
can not permit that" '.t
why, you old goose" sale
Maggie, laughing, Il can do yor
more good in five minutes thar
you would do yourselfin an hour.
am used to these things. I've q dozer
on my sick list now, for whom
have to perform just such Offices
What arc our hands made for, i
they are not to do good WITH
Como, don't bo foolishl
"Maggio, Maggie, Maggie and
in the twinkling of an eye, the old
gray wig, whiskers, and eyebrows
were removed, and Harvey Crit
tendon, his faco irradiated with
joy, love, and peculiar soul salts
faction which Maggie had never
seen there before, confronted her
Maggie was like one stunned for
moment but quickly rallied and a'
soon as she could find breath be-
tween the kisses showered upon
her, remarked saucily: now og
"Humphl Don't you suppose
l knew it was you all the timer
Just doing it to show off; that's
ALL" uH .ea Ia
But good genuine burst of teari
told q different story; and Maggie