The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1877-04-05
rnE ooLD onars

lneoBstsas wind -FtFAsgs, spicy scents
rising np out Of the gro0nd-and a nsw
moon hanging ike a sickle Of blood Low
over the perplsd dark Of the soulherly
sky.
Drcsry sBd chilly; dying year fast
gioamlsg dusk ye, The windows Of Mrs
oxfAle's old brown farm house hung out
their cherry signals behind the fringed
cotton curtains, aud when the kitchen
door opened, you could see The red shine
Of tbe blszing logs, the figures coming
aud going, Ike q miniature magic Ian
tern.
II was Dora Orgate that opened it,And
came fiittlug out to the well, with scar.
let shawl fcstooned over her bead, aud
an empty cedar pail in her hand. As
her light feet paliefed over the carpet
Of autumn leaves in the pathway, she
sang a snatch OF that good old fashioned
hymn.
Rock OF ages, clefl for me,
Let me hide myself in-
Nv goodness aiiyel What's that?
For, as the words trilsd sweetly from
her tongue, q tail, dark figure bad risen
from the low wooden bench under the
apple tree, whose boughG overhuug the
well.
Don't be alarmed, said deep, sweet
contralto, with scornful intonalion in
its sound. It's only me, Dora.
Joanna Elfeld7
Yes, Joanna Elfeld. What thenS Have
fallen so low that ! am no longer
worthy 10 sit beneath the old apple tree
II so, tell me so at once, and III quit.
You know did not mean that, Jo-
anna.
It's hard 10 tell what people mean or
don't mean, nowadays, said Joanna,
picking at the NANCY fringe of the frayed
rag OF a shawl. WAS tired. | wanted
a drink OF water. So ! came 10 the old
well. IN 20 away il you say 50.
Joanna, said DorA, hesitstingly, are
you hungry
Hungry? No. There's a sort of crav.
ing, though, on my stomach, which is
next TO 1t, suppose.
Would you like something to eat
don't beg.
Wi . .ntuuta INnnna
Like an arrow, Dora Oxgate sped back
into the house, where her thrifty mother
was jusi setting the teapot Oh the table.
Fresh baked ws1fles steamed on one side
hot biscuits we're piled In drifts OF snow
on the other; preserves cleaned redly
through the cut-glass walls OF the tall
dish, and limped honey oozed from a
lump OF comb. For Mrs. Deacon Pea.
body and her daughter Comfret were
come to tea, and Mrs. Oxgate was 9
housewife 10 be exceled by none.
Come, Dora, quick with that water,
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 Eltield
is out by the well! She is cold and
hungry, and
Mrs. Oxgate's face hardened into lines
of stone. Miss Comfort Peabody drew
her skirts close around her, with an in-
voluntary movement, and Mrs. Peabody
looked bard into the bowl of her tea
cup.
Then let her stay cold and hungry, foI
ell of me Joanna Elfeld 10 no aSsoci.
ate for either you or me, Doral She has
run away from home, aud acted with
common strolling play actors-she has
sung at low concerts instead of keeping
that fine voice OF hert for the temple OF
the Lord-she has, of her own free will,
given mp all that Is decent and reputable
and people do say that sLe has taken 10
drinking And you expect pe to open
my doors to such as hef?
Mrs. Peabody uttered npalhetie
grosn.
But. mamma, taltersd Dora, halt sf-
frighled by her own boliness, dent ou
remember that lie came to call, not the
righteous, bu, sinners to repeuiAncel
Silence, girIl How dare yoa quote
the Scriptures TO mel cried Mrs. Oxgalei
her stern brow cIuuding over darkiy =
Bring 10 that pail Of water at Once, aud
let us have 40 further discussion.
Thus rebuned, Thso,iora Oxgate erepI
back again into Tho chill, frosty twilight
detected and smpty.handed.
All, said JoaunA Eifsld, shortly,
thought how IL would be. Well, III
nothing new. Everybody doors Al,
shnt against me.
l. lit true, Joaunsl whispered nors
coming close 10 her
Il what true!
That you drink
or course il's true. You would dripI
IL you were driven az ami Driven anC
hunted There are times when you
wsuld sell yonr whole soul for chance
to forget, Aud that chance is only tC
be found in-drink
On, Joanna, am so sorry for you.
SorFyl Say thal Again, lassl People
have mostly left od being sorry for me
said Joauna, With d tsri laugh.
But listen, Joanna. DO be serious. =
Won't you try 10 DO dlfiefentbi
an not 20 bad A. folks think me
Dora, except for The horrid craving ioi
drink. have been nothing worse thar
wind and wiillui Believe me, child, 10
Il i. Gods truth. Only, when girl one'
geis on the down hill, every Christian
..u ar ..aes,.f fhfrks II ffafr fafx 4,