Daily Republican., 1879-03-14
A FAITHFUL MAID.

threatening sunset were muttering Il
the west the huge oak trees and pine
of the forest were murmuring ominous
ly, and the one chimney Of the small
farmhouse on the edge of the wood
sent up its blue column Of smoke, lik
a cherry hand beckoning TO the way
worn traveller over the hill. And hoy
bright and cosy the interior Of tn
kitchen looked, as Dora Klein stood OF
the threshold, cold, hungry and mex
pressibly weary. A little girl, blue
eyed and blonde haired, scarcely ye
sixteen, with shy aspect and shrink
ing mien, she had walked from tn,
city, seeking vainly for work at tn
various places she had passed, and nov
at nightfall she was nearly discouraged
"a girli" said Mrs. Myers, dubious
ly, as Dora Klein preferred her meel
request. 81 don't know anything
about you"
"Please try me-" faltered Dora. /"
am so tired, and know no one in al
this country, and, indeed, l will do my
best TO serve you.
Mrs. Myers turned to her husband
who sat by the fire, trotting a two year
old on his foot, "WAat shall | do
James ~
"She'S q total stranger, he re
piled.
"But she looks so weary and worr
out, %said he wife.
"Well, let her come in and stay al
night; a bowl Of bread and milk and
one nights lodging won't break us.
So Dora Klein was admitted into the
farmers small family. and so neat and
handy was she about the place, SO ligh
and agile In her movements, 30 quick
to learn and so steadfast to remember
that good natured little Mrs. Myers
had engaged her before she had been
in the house week.
"You women are 80 impulsive," said
the honest farmer, shaking his head.
"Suppose she should turn out bad!''
"How can she James ?" said Mrs,
Myers, Indignantly. "she has facs
~ luuOCSlhb 40 q ohoJ n.
"My dear, l don't Relieve in physi
ognomy."
"Nor |, altogether, but do bsliev.
in Dora Klein"
And as the days and weeks went by,
Mr.. MyHs was obliged to confess Il
himself that so fer, at least, his wife's
Judgment or instinct had been cor
rect.
The last November leaves were flut
tsring 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 max
ing at the nearest village, some dis,
tance beyond, while Dora Klein was tt
remain at home to keep house.
"Mind you feed the chickens at FIVE
o'clock, Dora, and don't forget the lit
tie 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, come ~ called out her
husband from the wagon.
Sand 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
japanned box near it,"
ayes, m'm," said Dora, kissing her
hand to the laughing baby, "pll re-
member"
"Some people would say, my dear,
that that wasn't very sharp proceed
ing of yours" said Mr.. Myers, as they
drove away.
"What do you mean % asked his
wife.
"To tell that girl just where our val
uables are kept
"James, what an idea! Why, can
trust Dora as implicitly as | would
trust myself"
Mr.. Myers whistled and drove on,
and his wife was vexed with him fol
even thinking such doubt of Dora
Klein.
But as they were jogging slowly
homeward in the November starlight, a
neighbo Dor hailed them, joyously, from
the top of load of barrels,
II say, it's time you were home,
said Nehemiah tlardbroks, your gals
got company"
"What do you mean ~ 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 three men in the kitchen. ! thought
it was some of your folks, till | see
your wagon just now."
James Myers looked at his wife.
Mrs. Myers white, anxious face re-
turned the gaze.
"Dora is there gasped the wife;
"she would se9 that-that nothing hap
ppned."
"Dora is there" assented Mr.. Myers,
chats the very reason Pm worried.
Hold the baby firm, and I'll see what
speed is left in old Dobbin."
How they ratified over the frosty
road, Dobbin galloping as if trying the
turf, and the old wood rushing past
them like the scenic slendors Of q pan
Drama, while to the anxious hearts of
wifi. and husband, every moment seem
ed all age. The house was dark when
they reached il. Mr.. Myers flung the
reins over the dashboard and sprang
out.
"Dora Dora Klein ~ he called, but
there " as no answer saw the faint echo
of his own voice.
And when the lamp was lighted, it
shoue on a scene Of dismay and Confu-
sion; but the first corner at which
the farmer glanced revealed to him that
the loose boards beneath the south win
dow had been torn away and the trea-
sure nook which had held the silver