Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1879-06-18

work. and Mrs. Wickies, from her lurk-
ing place behind the cash box, cast sew
eral envcnomed glances at her, premon-
itory of a ceming storm.
Presentiya new customer hobbled in,
bent and crooked, and made his way di-
rectlv TO the counter where Rachel and
Ruth were standing. A huge cotton
umbrella protruded IN a warlike manner
from beneath his arm, and mended cot
ton gloves covered his hands, while a
rusty red wig was half concealed by his
battered and bent hat.
My goodness, Ruth, what a figure =
calculated Rachel, in very audible
voice. what can that old bundle OF
secondhand clothing want here, any,
howl
Hush SAID Ruth, almost sternly
he will hear YOU
And what if he does? What do l
care?'
He is old and infrm, Rachel, and his
ace should reader him sacred IN your
eyes,
Rachel tossed her head sneerlngly.
Ruth, YOU are too absurd for any
thing. won't wait on him.
But the old man steered resolutely
for Rachel herself.
i want to buy some gloves, MISS
he SAID, IN feeble, crOaking voice.
You'd better go somewhere else'
said the young lady, supercilously
our store doesn't keep cheap goods;'
How much are these"
a dollar a pair
But l am poor, miss; have you
nothing cheaper?'
NO. snapped Rachel. 4 told you
to 90 elsewhere. 1 have no patience
with paupers.'
L beg your pardon, miss; l am not a
pauper,' said the old man.
WELL observed the girl, scorntully'
you look like One.'
Appearances are often deccitiul.-
Did YOU tell me you had cheaper gloves: !:
sI didn't tell you any such thing
Rachel, Racheln y demonstrated bel
cousin. Let me show you what for
want, sir, she SAID softly turning to the
oced customer. we have some very
nice gloves at seventy five cents
'Seventy-fve cents is a great deal o
money to pay for a pair OF gloves sai'
the old man, looking sorrowiul down OF
the mended figures of those he wore
but the weather IS getting very frosty
and Pm not so young as 1 was''
L should think that was quite evil
dent said Rachel, with a heartless tit
ter.
Ruth bent toward the old man, say
ing in a low voice:
Take the warm worsted gloves, sir
The pr,ce is seventy-fve cents, but yo'
shall have them for fifty. l myself vii
make M the difference to the store.-
You are an old gentleman, and l an
young and able to work.
But am nothing to you, miss
Ruth folded the gleves neatly IN
piece Of paper and handed them them t
him.
For the sake of the dear father VIII
died a year ago, old age can never b
nothing to me, sir. Please don't than
| me. sir; 1 deserve no gratitude
| And Ruth drew blushingly back, Will
Rachel burst in a scornful laugh.
Upon my word, Ruth, you are til
greatest fool l ever saw she Cried
the old gentleman hobbled out OF ii
store. L would have seen the old bes
gar in Jericho before would give hi
ANYTHING. Why doesn't he 60 to IL
poor house,"
The days crept on, and one day NJ
Harry Meredith astonished little Ru'
DUR very much by asking her to be h
t wife.
It was as if the gates of Paradise hi
been suddenly opened to her-the mo-
est little girl secretly worshipping Har
Meredith in her heart of hearts had ne
er dreamed of such good luck in sto
=. for her.
That evening she told her cousin
Rachel listened in silence. The prl
had been near her grasp once, but som
: how had slipped away.
Il think you must be mistaken, Rutl
she said, acrimonieusly. i think NJ
4
Meredith never would
She checked, for at that instant t
door opened and Harry Meredith W
. announced.
well, Rachel he said pleasant
are ysu ready to congratulate me u
on the sweet little wife that have wor
Rachel muttered one or two form
sentences. but she was very PALE
Meredith observed her with a smile.
i Ruth, he sad, turning with loyl
= look. Il have something 10 show yo
., He put a tiny parcel into her hand
;, She opened it, when out fell pair
!, worsted gloves. She looked wistfu
INTO his face A.; then the whole tide
+, memory came back.
Harry, were you the old mau?
Twas the old man, my dearest
}. Then Rachel knew why it was Il
d The ship freighted with all her hopes b
g drifted away, when 1t was so near
l. haven.