The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1878-01-24
AT THE GATE.

1t was bright day in early November,
with clear skies and keen breeze rust
ling the few many-colored leaves cling
ing to the trees along the streets of the
fine old country town. A very quiet,
genteel-looking street, lined with hand.
some residences, it was; and from the
handsomest of them all, lady came
forth with slow step, as if her only OBJ
ject was to enjoy as much as possible OF
the bright sunshine and the clear,
healthy air. She was young, and quite
pretty, with attractive, resolute features,
and blue eyes dazzling beautiful. Her
fair complexion was in perfect harmony
with the rosette of blue velvet ON the
front of her round hat; and her walking
dress of gray silk was neatly fitting and
stylish. The lady was Agnes Carroll,
the niece and heircss of the wealthy
solicitor, Mr.. John Carroll, who lived
in the stately mansion she had just
quilted.
She came down the long garden walk
slowly and thoughtfully, and paused at
the gate, leaning over it with an excla-
nation of surprise. On the foot-path a
man was lying; his face was turned
away, and he was 80 motionless that
Agnes fancied he was dead; and, hur-
riedly unclosing the gate, she fastened
to him.
Evidently he had fallen headlong, for
his clothes were in great disorder, and
his hat crushed under the side of his
head, which lay against the garden
fence. His face was pale and thin; his
hair and long unkempt beard were a
bright brown; and his garments, though
L fA,,
fitting, had once been of the finest ma
terial. His shoes were old and much
worn, and Agnes could see that he had
no socks. AS she gazed at the wretched
outcast, tear tremt led in her eye upon
the haggard face over which she was
bending; and then Agnes walked back to
the honse and sent some of the servants
ont to bring him under shelter.
The stable boy said he was drunk,
but Agnes felt quite sure he was mis-
taken; the stranger could not be inebri-
ated, she said, and ordered them to
carry him in and give him comfortable
bed.
When the doctor for whom she had
sent had arrived he said Miss Carroll
was right. The man was not intoxicated; /;
but in the last stages of starvation, and
had fallen in the road out of pure ina
bility to take another step. When Mr..
Carroll came, Agnes told him of the
occurrence, and made him promise that
the poor man need not leave the house
until fully recovered; and that, if he
could, he would assist him to some bet
ter way of life than that which had
brought him to their gate.
Having gained her uncle's promise,
which she knew would be kept. Agnes
again dressed, and set out for her long
delayed walk. Before she had gone far,
she was met by young gentlemen, who
stopped when he saw her, and remarked,
81 was On my way to call on you, Miss
Carroll" walking along by her side.
"How is your mother to-day, Mr..
Bell ?" asked Agnes, as they walked
along.
"Quite we'll. thank you. We are ex-
pecting my sister home from school, and
she is all excitement"
Fanny will be quite an addition to
our circle this winter"
"Yes. By the way, Miss Carroll, will
you lend your assistance in getting up
those tableaux for our fancy fair?"
81 am sorry, Mr.. Bell but my time
is so fully occupied there, L cannot un-
dertake to be anything more than a
spectator"
Mr.. Bell was disappointed evidently,
and left Agnes at her gate with a parting
request that she would call when she
heard of Fanny Bells arrival.
Agnes when she entered the house,
inquired after the strange man. He was
still in stupor, she was told, and they
were afraid that he would die. Agnes
stole up to the room where he lay, above
the servants hall and her heart gave
great throb of pain and pity as she gazed
on the white face and shrunken fingers
of the poor fellow. His old garments
had been replaced by a clean and CON-
Portable dressing gown, and the room
was warm and sunshiny; but it mattered