The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1873-03-12
HER TWO HANDS.

HE'D i wv AANODe
Old Caspar came homo about sunset
Ills pick was on his shoulder; so was his
old wool hat, Tor he thrust it far back from
his wrinkled front. Caspar had q bend
as if he had been half persuaded these
many years 10 go on hands and knee!
again, so heavily time sat on his back, and
80 cloEe TO the earth did his daily labor
draw him.
lie was a good natured, trotting old fel,
low. working his mouth eagerly, and
s,raipinC his blcarcd eyes, rs he approach
cd the towns draggled skirts, Tor very
thinking Of his folks-his old woman una
bis little gal.
There were rows Of dismal frame huls
all around, built by railroad companies
for the purpose Of penning as many oil
their mployees' families at time as pos
siblc. They repose gloomy and baru,like,
squat on that sandy foundation which
sculpture condemns, swarmiDg with le-
rions Of talloT-headed children. Women
sharp ut the elbows, and sharper at the
face, were raising clouds Of pork smoke
lr0n their respective kitchen affairs. In
fact the whole hcighborhoOd rocked With
the smell OF grease, and the evening was
50 warm Laplandtr might have resented
il, But Oaspat'S nose was not delicate
H. irotled over the cinder sidewalk, nod
ding this way and that, glad there was
such fine air, and that his old bones
were SO near home,
"Thar's tho little gal, as usual" he
Chuckled, as he turned corner and found
Madgc on he rloOkout at the gate. She
was comforting sign to see In that
ncighborhoOd, so tidy and fair In calico
and braids, and tho pink hesh color Of
youth. You wondered why she hadn't
been no further up town, and drsped In
something costly; why her dGIt fingers had
never learned there were ten keys TO un'
lock soul which slumbers IN rosewood,
and which rises at Il touch. like some
blessed gunii; 10 comfort all ills and fill
all thoughts; you wonder why some high
bred father was not coming home 10 her
now. But then this old man would have
found it so hard 10 do without her. Then
too, Madgo might never in her lie have
struck the royal heart which was now In
her hands, which she held her bank
against all the future, and the interast Of
which was the only income which she
wanted.
"Thcrc you arc gradpap cried Madge.
"YGs, and there you are, MadGle; and
here we both Are, Madgie" entering the
open gate and casting down his picks
He put his hands on both sides OF her
head, and gave her sounding smack on
the cheek.
"Supper's ready" ,,
"Yes, yes, Just wait until get q little
Of the smut of my hands and neck. Its
been powerful hot, dusty day"
Caspar trOtted through the little baro
allotted 10 him, hailed his old vile, who
sat ready TO pour his tea, and after blow
Ing and plunging through deal oil water
returned to bis family with shining coun.
tenance and handful Of onions.
II jisi pulled these up for o relish.
They're cooling, ingens Is. You tended
that ingen bed, didn't you, Madgie|r
"Grandma and L"
"Aud wo wanted somo Of them ingens
for market" said the old wife, cycling the
sacrifice severely. ave amt got no
ground 10 throw away raisin' luxuries for
ourselves"
well, well, NEITHER" pleaded Caspar,
dipping his fragrant sphere in salt, III
don't calk'late 10 pull 'em all. / Jest
wanted somethin' reireshin' after a hard
day. Taste 'cm, Madgie," said he, instn'
uaiing the emerald tops towards her. f.
"O6, no, grandpa, keep 'em yourself"
shaking her head, and smiling.
II feel" rambled Caspsr, filling his
senses and.hIs Jaw with perfumed roots,
until blind man would have pronounced
him a Mexican, il his nose had sat 10
Judgment over Caspar, II rally feel as il
I needed somethin' relreshin', workin'
hard day after day for nothin' you might
say. Sort Of seen your work go TO
pieces under your eyes, and KNOWN the
Danger to them on the road"
what do you mean, grandpay cried
Mldgie, turning white as her bread and
butter.
why, honey, you see we've picked
aud picked In that cut, and the sile'S us
uustidy as water. The stOnts and the
earth Just roll on the track contineral
Tie Company Orto do somethln' to that
cat stones as big as you Is Jared down
every train. But then the roads new
tut roads now, yet"
Men amt got no sense" broke In the
old wife. Don't you see you're skeering
that child 10 death for fear CharleyIl get
mashed up. He runs on the road"
Two blades Of keen remOrsG leaped
from CuSpSr's blearcd eyes.
Now, don't you be skeered, honey
Take an iugen, honey"
lie reached over 10 pet her fingers
Charley didn't pass to'day when the
dir; was rattlIng down so. lie don't pass
I'LL half after eight this evening, and VT
left the track rs clear as this table. Yes
Iir them rails is as free and bright aI
new lin pans. So don't you be skecred
honey"
I'm not scared about anything, grand
pa" said Madge TREMENDOUSLY, but smiling
like rainbow.
There, now, mother, cried CAspAr TIL
umphantly, returning to his onions, "yot
come down on me for nothin'. She ain
skeered bit"
No, not bit She flew about the room
Ike bird, washed tho earihen'ware
brought her grandfather his pipe, ant
dropped nj his fec, 10 tell him some fun
ny story Rfloat In his enjoyment b.
wrapped himself In such cloud that sht
could hardly see the clock.
Nadge slipped out to the gate. ShC
AHA, NhaRn lnnh1pn