Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1877-03-09

THE GOLD CHAIN.

A dreary November twilight. Dead
leavessraining down at every gust of the
inconstant wind-strange, spicy scents
rising up out of the ground--and new
moon hanging like sickle Of blood low
over the purplcd dark of the southernly
sky.
Dreary and. chilly; dying year a
fast cleaning dusk; yet the windows OF
Mrs Oxgate's old brown farm house
hung out their CHEEKY signals behind the
fringed cotton curtains, and when the
kitchen door opened, you could see the
red shine of the blazing logs, the figures
coming and going, like miniature
magic lantern.
1t was Dora Oxgate that opened it, and
came fitting out to the well, with a
scarlet shawl festooned over her head
and an empty cedar pail in her baud. AS
her light feet battered over the carpet of
autumn leaves in the pathway, she sang
snatch Of some good old fashioned
hymn:
Crock of ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in
"My goodness alivel What's that 2"
For, as the words trilled secretly from
her tongue, tall, dark figure had risen
from the low wooden bench under the
apple tree, whose boughs oyerhung the
we'll
Don't be alarmed" said deep, sweet
contralto, with a scornful intonation in
its sound. Its only me, Dora"
Joanna Elfeld p
Eyes, Joanna Efeld. What then
Have l fallen so low that ] am no longer
worthy to sit beneath tue old apple tree ?
If so, tell me so at once, and III quit. "
"You know | didn't mean that,
Joanna"
"Its hard to tell what people mean Or
don't mean. nowadays" said Joanna,
picking at the NANCY fringe of the frayed
rag of shawl. at was tried. wanted
a drink of water. SO ! came to the old
well. III go away if you say so"
joanna" said Dora, hesitatingly
care you hungryY
Hungry? No. There's a sort o
craving, though, on my stomach, which
is next to it, | suppose"
"Would you like something to eat ?
II don't beg"
"Wait a minute, Joanna"
Like an arrow, Dora Oxgate spec
back into the house, where her thrifty
| r,ntTor ,rno mot sottin,, "a toapnf ON fl,
table. Fresh baked waiiles steamed on
one side; hot biscuit was piled in drifts
Of snow on the other; preserves CLEANED
redly though the cut-glass walls of the
tall dish, and limpid honey oozed from q
lump of comb. For Mrs. Deacon Pea
body and her daughter Comfort were
come to tea, and Mrs Oxgate was a
housewife to be excelled by none.
"Come, Dora, quick with that water, y
said Mrs. Oxgate and shut the door
What do you suppose is the use of fires,
if"
Mother" said Dora. speaking in a
slightly embarrassed tone, Joanna FL
field is out by the well ! She is cold and
hungry, and
Mrs. Oxgatcs face hardened into lines
of stone. Miss Comfort Peabody drew
her skirts close around her, with an in
voluntary movement. and Mrs. Pea
body looked hard into the bowl of her
teacup.
Then let her stay cold and hungry,
for all Of me Joanna Elfeld is no asso-
ciate for either you or me, Dora! She
has run away from home, and acted with
common strolling play actors--sho has
sung at low concerts instead Of keeping
that fine voice of hers for the temple Of
the Lord-shc has, Of her own free will,
given up all that is decent and reputable,
and people do say that she has taken to
drinking! And you expect me to open
my doors to such as her p
Mrs. Peabody uttered sympathetic
groan.
But, mamma" faltered Dora, half
affrighted by her own boldDcss, don't
you remember that lie came TO call, not
the righteous, but sinners to repent
ance p
"Silence, girl! How dare you quote
the Scriptures to me p cried Mrs. Ok
gate, her stern brow clouding over darkly
Bring in that pail of water at once,
and let us have no further discussion"
Thus rcbufFed Theodore Oxgate crept
back again into the chill, frosty twilight,
detected and empty handed.
"Ah," said Joanna Elfeld, shortly,
II thought how il would be. Well, it's
nothing new. Everybody doors are
shut against me-"
us it true, Joanna?' whispered Dora,
coming close up to her.
rs what true p
"That you drink !"
"Of course it's true. You would
drink if you we're driven as | am