The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-12-25
Selett Stories.
CHRISTMAS AT MUD FLAT.

She had been in camp four days.
Where she came from, why she came, or
who she was, no one could tell. But she
was in camp, and that she had come to
stay, there was no doubt She was quiet,
modest and simply clad-three qualities
which commended her to the residents of
Mud Flat us a change from the ordinary
run Of females who from time to time in
vaded the precincts of that classic settle
ment.
Nor were these the only points which
had been noted by the boys. As Audy
McCorkle had calamity handed her from
the lover step of his -bespattcred
coach TO the portico of the hotel, every
body saw that she clung almost conyul.
siYely to the little child whose arms were
twined about her neck. They observed,
also, that her features were pale aud blood
less to an extent that was almost pitiful.
by that delicate intuition which sometimes
exists under the toughest exteriors. the
sturdy miners of Mud Flat understood that
the strange lady was suffering from mental
as well as physical illness. Their sympa-
thy was aroused in her behalf from that
instant, and every man in the place imme-
dlately constituted himself her champion
and friend.
A day later, when she had routed a
cabin near the outskirts of town, without
disclosing TO any one her intentions for
the future or the story Of the past their
interest was increased, aud they began to
show their friendship in substantial ways.
A great heap Of tire-wood was mysterious.
ly deposited within easy reach the first
night Bags Of -four, quantities of coffee
and sugar, whole ham, and a quarter of
fresh venison likewise made their appear
auee from some unexplained source the
third morning.
Little was seen Of the recipient of these
treasures, however. She had only been
on tho street once, and then only 10 pur
chase few necessary articles Upon that
occasion she met the reverential gaze of
score Of loungers, and turned her head
away, pretending not to see, when the iov-
ial Bill Carter smuggled huge package
Of candy into the ehild's capacious pocket.
But aside from that she had remained
hidden from yiew,and the miners knew as
little about her on the fourth day as they
had on the first.
The 23d Of December was uuusually
cold, even for that locality. As tbs frozen
moon came up over distant crag, cutting
with chilly hands the dusky gloom, one
might haye faneied that he had suddenly
been transplanted into the Arctic region.
The ground was covered with thin layer
ct snow, which glistcned like FURNISHED
silver IN tho pale light. Here and there
along the sides of the guleh giant pines,
standing like ghostly sentiuels, threw spec.
arai shadows across the white expanse.
Inc roar OF Potato creek, wrapped in the
icy arms oi wintcr, was subdued to a tiny.
muiiied lrieklipg. And the wind, gently
signing through the passes, played Eolian
melodies among the needles Of pine and
tassels Of hemlock.
In the main apartment Of the Magnolia
saloon, party of the boys we're sittipp
around a table, upon which steamed 3
large bowl, emitting a fragrant and aronat.
ic odor
hoover she mought be, observed n
taii and rather angular parsonage known
10 his companions as Long Tom RoIiius--
whoever she mought be, she's alone, bar
run that kid, and unprotected besides.
Que slekly, too, and orter hev doctor,
ihis ain no sort Of place for IA ia.
verlid, he concluded, hesitatingly, rcmoy.
ing his heavy boot from the table. and
helping himself to liberal allowance Of
the punch. Then, after pause, he con.
tinued II wonder what ails tic cri,ter.
anyhow"
A mans at the bottom Of It, gentle.
men, you hear me, observed Judge Cash
wilder from the other side of the table.
nodding conviction at each Of his hearers
10 turn, Take my word for it, there's a
man 10 Il, as ther alters il 10 any desiIlry
as robs some poor womans check Of its
bloom aud her eye Of It's light
The Judge was eloquent at al times.
But when bis round patio glistened ifom
the effects Of good punch and his theme