The Russellville Democrat., 1880-02-12


 Rachel Durr waited languidly upon one or two customers that morning. Xvi dently her heart was not in her wo,k and Mrs. Wickies, from her lurking place behind the cash box cast several en- venomed glances at her, prcnionitory of n coming storm. gqB s@ ig g1illsef 2
 Presently new customer hobbled in, bent and crooked, and made his way 1 directly to the counter where Rachel 1 and Ruth were standing A huge cotton umbrella protruded in q warlike manner from beneath his arm, and raended | cotton gloves covered his hands, while a rusty, red wig was half concealed by his battered and bent hat, .G 7; .-;,(s
 My goodness, what a fgurep' ejacu- lated Rachel, in very audible voice.
 "What can that old bundle of clothing want here, anyhow!y fk .1a.f
 Hush ? said Ruth sternly, "he will l hear you" s.9,s,s ,.lfs3
 And what if he does? What do I care?" Xl3a 3s''se1'a 'Nhis'ises "He is old and infirrn, Rachel, and his age should render him sacred in your 1 eyes. gas7g w 9 fl8 l Rachel tossed her head sneeringlysai
 Ruth, you are too, absurd for any | thing; 1 won't wait on him." But the old man steered resolutely for l Rachel herselfa eg banaa sas
 .I want to buy some gloves, nsiss, he said, in feeble, croaking voice. "You'd better go somewhere else, said the young lady superciliously, isoarstQre doesn't keep cheap goods"
 "How much are these?'f A5' taa 0i LA dollar pair." E ssNaas NN ,it9sl "But am poor, miss; have younothing cheaper?" ff,
 "No,p snapped Rachel. q told you to fgo elsewhere. have no patience with paupers.p4 aFs baf eE&.A
 "I beg your pardon, miss, am not pauper." said the old man.
 "WeR" observedg the girl scorhfully, you look like one" ~ww
 ,..2Appearanees are often deceitful; did you ten me you had cheaper gloves?'''
 Il didn't tell you any such thing" "RacheH Rachelp' remonstratod her cousin. Let me. show you what you. want, sir" she softly, turning to the aged customer. We have some very nice gloves for seventy-Gve cents"
 "Seventy-fve cents is la great deal of money to pay for q Fair of gloves," said the old man, looking soI.rowfully, down on the mended fingers of those he wore, ''alfd the weather is getting frosty, and Pm not so young as kwas.p sH
 T should think that was, quite evi- dent, said Rachel, with q heartlcss litter.
 Ruth bentgtoWard the old man, saying in low voice: -9, .es.9 ss,v. ,rg
 "Take the warm wersted gloves sir, The price is ,seyenty-fye cents, but you shall have them for fifty. I myself will make up the difference to the store. You are an old gentleman. and 1 am young and able to work."rss et no shif talisq. -aa-'"But l am nothing to you, miss. .ps---s~s Ruth folded the gloves neatly in piece of paper rand handed them to him.
 Torthe sake of the dear father who died year ago, old%age can never be nothing to me, sir. Please don't thank me, SIT, deserve no gratitude" -,- |,
 And Ruth drew blushingly back, ,vMle Rachel burst into a scoriiful latgh. N
 Upon my word, Ruth, you are the greatest fool ever saw," she cried, as the old gentleman hobbled out of the store. T would have seen the old beggar, in Jerico before l would give him anything. 1 The days crept on. and one daysM Harry Meredith astonished little Ruth Dur very. much by. asking her to be .his M SItwas as if the gates of Paradise had been suddenly opened 10 her--the mod est little girl secretly worshipping Harry Meredith ill her heart of hearts had neyer dreamed of such luck in store for her.
 ! That evening shel told eher cousin. Rachel listened in silence. The prize had been near her grasp once, but somehow had slipped away.
 T think you must be mistaken, Ruth" she said, acrimoniously. T think Mir. Meredith never would"
 She checked herself, for at that in- stant the door opened, and Harry Mere dith was announced.
 Well, Rachel" he said pleasantly" "are you ready to congratulate me upon the sweet little wife that | have won?"
 Rachel muttered one apr two formal sentences, but she was very pale. Mer. edith observed her with a smile ss A
 Ruth" he said, turning with a loving look, q have something to show you" z,
 "He put tiny parcel into her hand, She opened it, when out fell 8 pair oi worstea gloves. She looked wistfully into his face, then. the whole tide of memory came back. EA 1 E "Hary were you the old man." E M q was the old man, my dearest.
 Then Rachel knew why it was that the ship ireighted with all her hopes bad drifted away when it was so near the haven.