Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1879-07-10
A Faithful Maid.

The blood-red ribbons of tn
storm threatening sunset were fut-
tering in the west the huge oal
trees and pines of the forest were
murmuring ominously, and the on
chimney of the small farmhouse or
the edge of the woods sent up itl
blue column of smoke, like CHEEKY
hand beckohing to the way-worr
traveller over tic hill. And how
bright and cosy the interior of the
kitchen looked, as Dora Klein
stood on the threshold, cold, hun
CRY and inexpressibly weary. A
little girl, blue-eyed and blonde
haired, scarcely yet sixteen, with a
shy aspect and shrinking mien,
she had walked from the city, seek
ing vainly for work at various
places she had passed, and now al
nighttall she was nearly discouraged.
GA girl 2" said Mrs. Myers,
obviously, as Dora Klein proffered
her meek request. 81 don't know
dll1 lllIuS ABOUT you.
Mrs. Myers turned to her hus-
band, who sat by the fire, trotting
a two year-old on his foot. "What
shall | do, James e.
''She's total stranger" he re-
piled.
"But she looks so weary and
worn ont" said the wife.
"Wcll, let her como in and stay
AL night {; a bowl Of bread and milk
and one nights lodging won't
break ns.''
So Dora Klein was admitted into
the farmers small family, and SO
neat and SO handy was she about
the place, SO light and agile in her
movements, SO quick to learn ard
steadfast to remember, that good
natured little Mrs. Myers had en-
gagged her before she had been in
the house a week.
"1 on wCmen are SO impulsive,"
said the honest farmer, shaking his
head.
"Suppose she should turn ont
bad 2"
GLOW can she, James 90 said
MIR. Myers, Indignantly. "She has
Il face as innocent rs a bahy's.'
"My dear, l don't believe in
physiognomy."
''Nor |, altogether, but l do be-
lieve in Dora Klein.''
And as the day and weeks went
by Mr.. Myers was obliged to con-
tess to himself that SO far, at least,
his wife's Judgment or instinct had
been correct.
The last November leaves were
auttering down one clear, colo af-I
ternoon, 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 distance below, while Dora
Klein was to remain at home to
keep house.
"Mind Dora you feed the chick
ems at five O'Clock, Dora, and don't
forget the little calf in the pen and
if you have any extra time, you can
just chop the meat and the apples
tor tho Saturday mince pics, and %
"Cone wife, come !" called ont
her husband from the wagon.
"ALd if the house should catch
fire or anything,' added this pru-
dent little edition of Martha, trou-
bled with many cares, "remember,
that the money is in an old stock
ing under the board by the south
and the silver in the
japanned box near it.'
Yes, n'm," said Dora, kissing
her hand to the laughing baby,
''l'll remember"
"Some people would say, my
dear, that that wasn't a very sharp
proceeding of yours" said Mr..
Myers, as they drove away.
"What do you mean 90 asked
his wife.
''To tell that girl Just where our
valnables arc kept"
''James, what al idea! Why, L
can trust Dora as implicitly as /
would trust myself"
MIR! Myers whistled and drove
on, and his wife was vexed with
him Cor even thinking such doubt
of Dora Klein.