The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1879-02-11

A FAITHFUL MAID.

pines of the forest were murmuring
ominously, and the one chimney of the
small farmhouse on the edge of the
woods sent up Its blue column of smoke,
like CHEEKY hand beckoning to the way
worn traveller over the hill. And how
bright and cozy the interior of the kitch-
en- looked, as Dora Klein stood on the
threshold, cold, hungry and mex
pressibly weary. A little girl, blue eyed
and blonde haired, scarcely yet sixteen,
with shy aspect and a shrinking mien;
she had walked all the way from the
city, seeking vaiDly for work at the vari-
Gus places she had passed, and now at
nightfall she was nearly discouraged.
" A girl ?" said Mrs. Myers ,dubionsly,
as Dora Klein profiered her meek re-
quest. 81 did talk about hiring girl,
but 1 don't know anything about you"
"Please try me-" faltered Dora. ~
am so tired, and know no one in all
this country, and, indeed, will do my
best to serve YOU"
Mr.. Myers turned to her husband,
who sat by the fire, trotting two-year
old on his foot. "What shall 1 do,
James 2"
"She's total stranger" said Mr..
Myers.
' But she looks SO weary and worn
out" said the wife.
"Well, let her come in and stay all
t,i inh oF Il nj
one nights lodging won't t break u.s."
So Dora Klein was admitted into the
farmers small family, and SO neat and
handy was she about the place, SO light
and agile in her movements, SO quick to
learn and steadfast to remember, that
good natured little Mrs. Myers had en-
gagged her before she had been in the
house a week.
You women are so impulsive," said
the honest farmer, shaking his head.
Suppose she should turn out bad ?"
How can she, James p' said Mrs.
Myers, Indignantly. "She has face as
innocent as baby's."
"My dear, don't believe in physiog-
onomy."
"Nor 1, altogether, but do believe in
Dora Klein"
And as the days and weeks went by,
Mr.. Myers was obliged to confess to
himself that so far, at least, his wife's
judgement, or instinct, had been cor
rect.
The last November leaves were f1ut-
tering down one clear, cold afternoon,
when Mrs. Myers stood at the door,
ready to join her husband and baby in
the wagon, to attend merry making at
the nearest village, some miles beyond,
while Dora Klein was to remain at
home to n" keep house."
"Mind you feed the chickens 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 for the Saturday mince,
pies, and
"Come wife, comel" called out her
husband, from the wagon.
And if the house should catch fire
or anything" added this prudent little
edition of Martha, troubled with many
cares, " remember, that the money is in
an old stocking under the old board by
the south window, and the silver in "a
japaned box near it,"
eyes, m m" said Dora, kissing her
hand to the laughing baby, "I'll re-
member"
" Some people would say, my dear,
that that wasn'ta very sharp proceed
ing of yours" said Mr.. Myers, as they
drove away.
"What do you mean 20 asked his
wife.
ITO tell that girl just where our valu-
ables are kept"
"James What an ideal Why, L
can trust Dora just as implicitly as
would trust myself"
Mr.. Myers whistled and drove on, and
his wife was vexed with him for even
thinking such doubt of Dora Klein.
But as they were jogging slowly home
ward in the November starlight, a
neighbor hailed them, joyously, from
the top of a load of barrels.
81 say, it's time you were home,"
said Nehemiah Hardbroke; "your gals
got company"
"What do you meanY" demanded
Myers.
Why, the doors and windows were all
open as came by the crossroads, jest
where ye can see cross the medder to
your back door, and there was two or