St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1873-11-28
Only a Cup of Coffee.

! >cTtOhcf y JOT DeccWOF.
Only Cup of Coffee.
Fields and fields sparkled like snow
in the sun. Away in the distance rose
the mountains bare and brown, then
tops lost in the clouds. Close by the
railroad track stood the rough station
buildings and two or three adobe huts
where refreshments were offered to trav-
elers. The express had Numbered past
an hour before. and now the third class
came leisurely up and stopped. Out
stepped the passengers intent upon
/ breakfast One family. father. mother,
and children, had brought their pIoviS-
/ ions with them. aud made their tea and
coffee as they wanted it on the stove in
the car. But most Of the company were
men, and did not know much about
Harry Mintrum, sat i'll his seat at the
other end of the car until all around
him had gone ont: then taking out his
purse. he carefully counted its Scanty
contents 1t had taken weeks of saving
To get enough to buy the ticket for the
East. and his margin WAS small when
that was done.
Bread and butter this morning" he
said. wliStling as he joined the throng
outside. \ few steps off he saw very
modest little shanty, which seemed to
have nobody near it.
"That'S the place fnr my money"
thought Harry. Entering. il delightful
odor of coffee greeted him. How good
it was, just the smell seemed to warm
him. and his hand in his pocket felt the
few bits l"ngingIy. Alas he knew
Just how far they would go. and how
many meals they would buy. and Harry
had leaned that it is safe never t"
spend your last penny. and honorable
10 >climp and save. and even appear
mean. 81 that You do not 90 in debit.
The jolly Young fellows who told stories
and sang songs in the ears would have
lent him money. careless whether it
WAS ever paid. hut Harry would rs soon
have hcg~cd a. borrowed.
An "ld woman WIS sitting khi'''iiS
hy the stove. She gave the lad 4 chain.
an" H>N''' N'''' '''' N'"''. ''"N''
wv" >'"'> VI 'a''" anu ""''''
''''' ann Il : u" P't.,N''
i'''' ; ''''' N'''' many. Inc E''''
''''''''l vi "''''' .'''' 'i" inc '"''' 'i''''
ION were NOT l"r i''li'
L""h> "''''SlH' poor hoy >''' 'h'
woman I" h'fN'h' somewhere neal
inc age III I'N JIM
Hil' ''l' Nv" generous slices 'r"m hei
'''%'' MN "'''i' ana put l'i''l'N "i ""'
''i Oh lIi'il' 'N'l n'I Sl'iN>''S no" ana
'i''h She watched 'h' appetite WITH
"hich II" ATE
hathcr airy now Ism II
'oh H." sald Harry. II never
tasted amy thih% better.
wv on N"" take Il cup OF coffee with
1t DO.
"Madam. sad Harry. rive three
thousand miles t" go. and Inst enough
money t" take me there. Home Is at
the other end. I've enough for bread
this morning, hut not enough for coffee.
I'll thank You f"r some water.
Boy. replied the widow. Il have Il
lad off at sea. >"mcW here near Your age,
and some day on his way t" me he may
have to 90 on short rationS. Now,
/ You'll hc my Jim this morning and have
your breakfast.
/ | wish You could have seen the big
blue and white cup int" which she
/ poured the yellow cream. and stirred
] the sweet brown sugar. and filled NJ
with toaming coffee. | wish y0u could
have seen Harry drink it. and then
when she wouldn't take Il hit from his
and say: