Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1879-07-30

the hidden tables that hold the records
Of her thoughts.
When dancing is proposed JohnSheldon
breathcs freer, through bis llnk limbs
never join in the may evolutions of a
Virginia reel or quadrille. I. is his
part to draw the bow and to watch
Rhoda 90 up and down the shining
floor, hand in hand with various part
ners, which she does with an easy
grace, distributing smiles and pleasant
words impartiallY.
John looks like poet who has caught
a missing train. He plays By note and
By inspiration besides. The dancers
hop and glide, and caper, and amble,
and shuttle through their geometrical
tasks, each according to his capacity.
Orpheus might have called forth that
air that touches every Cne in the long
kitchen with its mood, and the Tyre
brought strange listeners. Can it be
that John Sheldon's fiddle is as potent
There is a knock at the door. Some
one on the outskirts of the dance opens
to the new conner just as the bow takes
its last long>draw sweep and the
charmed feet dropped silent.
Is wan Mister John Sheldon borant ?,
asked q voice. and when the answer is
given, says in strident accents Tell
him his wife is here > and in walks a
woman in an ancestral cloak of blue
trieze-an Irish beauty. Her hair is
banged, perhaps, is the hair dresser's
present name for it--but no hair dresser
has done it. nor arranged the elhocks
that steal from her hood. She holds in
her arms an infant. There is no
evidence Of the contents Of the bundle
except some slight squirming motion in
the folds OF huge red shawl, but the
general impression is. that it is an
infant, and no one shows any desire to
investigate.
Here is a tableau vivant not down in
the programme Of the evening: John
Sheldon half risen from the chair, his
fiddle still in position, confronted by the
stranger, her face like a blank new
moon. All the rest spectators, Mrs.
Sheldon transfxed with a huge pitcher
Of lemonade in her hands. Mrs. Tracy
with a matronly hand on Rhoda's
and an expression Of face that
says as plain as words: Come my
daughter. let me take you out Of this
den Of iniquity. knew how it would
be.
Rhoda, calm and attentive mischief
loving youths and maidens standing
dumbly.
So much for the tablcau. Then the
action commenced.
Indeed l dou't know this woman, said
John Sheldon, dreamily.
Not know me! shrieked the woman
in high falsetto. A week don't pass
but We see me, and ye know it right
we'll.
Then Mrs. Sheldon came to the
rescue.
Whatever you may mean, said she, |
don't know; but l do know and all the
nsighbors know, that John is never out
Of my sight, except she faltered, to
take trip now and then with his friend
Mr.. Burroughs and I'm sure there is
40 harm in that.
Burroughs is 1t? cried the infuriated
woman, turning upon Mrs. Sheldon.
The more fool you to think
hat same.
Mrs. Sheldon stole an agonizod look
1t her son. His eyes turned to Rhoda's
ace, and then he sat down, crimson TO
he roots of his hair with confusion.
The brave little martyr made another
lash alone, as it was evident no help
vas to be had from John.
At all events, said she, my house is
10 place for such person as you.
Yez name to insinuate that | can't
,h0w my stiffercat, said the stranger.
With an ugly toss Of her head and
orthwith graphing the red shawl with
,ne hand, to the imminent danger OF
whatever might be inside Of ii, she
umbled awkwardly in the bosom Of her
lress, brought forth a parchment, and
,eld it under Mrs. Sheldon's nose.
There's my stifercat. cried she.
There's my lines.
Mrs. Sheldon acted as if il were red
lot iron.
Come. Rhoda, said Mrs. Tracey, 1
hink we must go.
One or two others prepared to follow.
some who were curious, and others
With an eye to the yet untasted banquet,
leld their ground.
Rhoda resisted her mothers touch.
Mrs. Sheldon, said she, in clear,
,teady voice, why don't yoa look at the
)roof?
And what's that to you? cried the
Tirago, brandishing the parchment above
Ter head and thrusting her face into
Rhoda'e.
The great tears rolled suddenly out of
shoda's eyes. Her ceuntenance under
vent a curious momentary convulsion,
nd then she broke out with peal Of
inging laughter, and ran and grasped
.irs. Sheldon's hands.
Mrs. Tracey Stood aghast. The
smpany were divided as to the mean
ng of these singular phenomena, but
hey had no chance to mediate.
Mrs. Sheldon's would.be daughter-in-