Mexico weekly ledger., 1877-01-25
FAITHFUL DORA.

the West; the huge oak trees and pines
of the forest were murmuring ominous-
ly, and the n chimney of the little
farmhouse on the edge of the woods
sent up its blue column of smoke, like
a CHEEKY hand reckoning to the way
worn traveller, over the hill. And how
bright and cosey the interior of the
kitchen looked, as Dora Klein stood on
the threshold, cold, hungry and mex
pressibly weary. A little girl, blue
eyed and blonde-haired, scarcely yet
sixteen, with shy aspect and a shrink
ing mien; she had walked all the way
from the city, seeking vainly for work
at the various habitations that she had
passed. And now at nightfall she was
nearly discouraged.
ga grip" said Mrs. Myers, dubious
ly, as Dora Klein preferred her meek
request. "I did talk about hiring a
girl, but I don't know any thing about
you"
"Please try me-" faltered Dora. "I
am so tired, and / know not n in all
this county, and indeed, indeed | will
do my best to serve, you" e..
Mrs. Myers turned to her husband,
who sat by the fire, trotting a chubby
WO-ycdI-O1u III LIS 1OOt. w udb SAniA
l do, Jamesf" %
+"She's a total stranger" said mir.
Myers. ..-.. -
"But she looks so weary and worn
out" "WeI, let her come in and stay
all night-a bowl of bread and milk
and one nights lodging won't break
u.s." s.I.'. 21tsfs. w,f%, a3
So Dora Klein was admitted into the
farmers little family, and so neat and
handy was she about the place, so light
and agile in her movements, so quick
to learn and steadfastt to remember that
good-natured little Mrs. Myers had en-
gagged her before she had been. in the
house week.
"You women are so impulsive," said
the honest farmer, shaking his head.
Suppose she should turn out bad?"
elbow can she, James," said Mrs.
Myers, Indignantly. "She has a face
as innocent as baby's." 'T sH a..
"My dear, L don't believe in phys
iognomy."
"Nor I, altogether, but 1 do believe
in Dora Klein" =.
And as the days and weeks went BY,
Mr.. Myers was obliged to confess to
himself that SO far, at least, his wife's
Judgment, or rather instinct, had been
correct. The last November leaves
were huttering down one clear, cold
afternoon, when Mrs. Myers stood at
the door, ready to join her husband and
baby in the wagon, to attend a merry
making at the nearest village, some
miles beyond, while Dora Klein was to
remain at home to "keep house."
"Mind you feed the chickens at 5
O'Clock, Dora, and don't forget the lit
tie calf in the pen and if you have any
extra time, you can just chop'the heart
and the apples for the Saturday mince
pies, and"
"Come, wife, come!'t called out her
husband from the wagon. "a. r.;a.
"And if the house should catch fire,
or any thing" added this prudent little
modern edition of Martha, "troubled
with many cares,' Z" remember, Dora,
that the money is in an old stocking un-
der the old board, by the south window,
and the silver ina japanned box close
to it," PIG "
"Yes, m'm," said Dora, kissing her
hand to the laughing baby; "Ill re-
member"
"Some people would say, my dear,
that that wasn't a very smart proceed
ing of yours" said Mr.. Myers as they
drove away.
"What do you meanP" asked his wife.
"To tell the girl just where your
valuables are kept" .
"James! What an idea! Why, !
can trust Dora just as implicitly as ]
would trust myself" '
: MI. Myers whistled and drove on,
and his wife was vexed with him fol
= even thinking such a doubt of Dora
Klein. tA ttE =
s But as they were jogging along home
+ ward in the November starlight, !;
= neighbor hailed them joyously from the
e top of a load of barrels.
e 81 say, it'stime you were home, y" sale
: Nehemiah H~ardbrooke; '"your gall
/: got company" >
n q "What do you mean?" demanded
e Myers. q
8 "Why, the doors and windows wer,
e all open as l came by the crossroads
e jist where you can see 'cross the med
3 der to your back door, and there wa
; two or three men in the kitchen.
: Thought it was some of your folks, til
t [ see your wagon just now"
UdH1SS N1yGIS 1OohCu DIT LIS WIZ.
r Mrs. Myers's white, anxious face re
5 turned the gaze.
i "Dora is there,'' gasped the wife
n " she would see that-that nothing hap
:. pened."
. "Dora is there" assented Mr.
Myers, "that's the very reason I'm
worried. Hold the baby firm, and II
. see what speed is left in old Dobbin.'
How they ratified over the frosty road
D Dobbin galloping as if trying the turf
a and the old wood rushing past them ik'
!. the scenic splendors of a panorama
n while, to the anxious hearts of wife ant
husband, every moment seemed an age
The house was dark when they reaches
it. MIR. Myers flung the reins over tn
. dashboard and sprang out.
"Dora! Dora Klein!" he called, bu
y there was no answer save the faint ech
of his own voice. g.. s.