Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1880-01-07

had asked the man himself-as Carver
had directed-to take dinner with him,
and had received Yes for an answer.
He looked like man well off. His
name Yes, he had asked HIM his
name, and be had SAID he was Gringo.
The man had good deal of beard, and
spoke English very well. That was
the sum of the information brought by
Jehiel, Phineas was satisfied with it.
He would have his guests at the last
Thanksgiving TO be held in the Carver
house by a Carver, and he was deter
mined 10 eat and enjoy and give thanks.
For, PRISCILLA said Phineas, we have
deal to be thankful for, after all.
When the worst comes to the worst,
we shan't want bread in our old days,
and that is more than some poor crea-
lures can say. It's all for the best that
we amt got no sons prospects to
ruin.'
At one o'clock in the afternoon Jehiel,
who had gone for them, brought the
strangers in a light wagon. Phineas
was at the door to receive them, and,
as they got out, scanned them curiously.
So did Mahala, from the window Of the
Kitchen in the wing. Angels Is them"
SAID she, vigorously, though not in cor
rect form of speech. 'oartin the chill
dren look nice, speshly the leetle gal,
an the woman's handsome | don't
deny; but the mans an Esau, if there
ever was an Esau.'
Beyono doubt, this last criticism was
correct. The stranger exposed little OF
his face beyond the eyes and nose. His
beard was long and thick it hid bis
throat and bis chin and bis checks.
Even The forehead was vciled, for when
the man removed his hat his hair fell
in crisp eurls all over it. He was well
dressed and was apparently in tie
primo Of hfe-tall, muscular and COM
mandlng. But he was very timld and
embarrassed. and his voice had huskl-
ness and Lis speech hesitancy. HIS
wife had none Of his manner, but was
self'posseSsed and lady-like. She was
very handsome woman. too, who
could not be over thirty years OF age.
Her beauty was of the southern type
dark, clear skin, flushing at every
emotion, fine cut features, and hands
and feet that were small and well shap-
cd. The children followed their par
ents. The boy looked somewhat like
what his father might be had lie been
shaven and the girl was OF her
mothers type. The little folk had the
air of children who had been brought up
more with love than force, and were
free and frank, without being forward.
TLc boy looked fearlessly IN your eye
as he spoke, and the girl rested her
hand IN that OF Phineas in answer TO
MS welcome.
This, wife, is Mr.. and Mrs. GnngO,
said Phireas, as he brought them INTO
the living room, where his wife sat 10
receive them.
Mrs. Carver carried of the lady and
her little girl to a chamber, where they
might prepare for dinner, and Phineas
entered into conversation with his male
guest, leaving the boy to his own deyi-
ces. At last, having exhausted the
weather, ths crops, and the general look
of things, the stranger remarked that
the country around looked very differ
ent from Mexico.
Are you q Mexican, Mr.. Gringo"
inquired Carver.
No but lived there number oil
years. I have come back TO this coun-
try intending to stay, if 1 can find some
place to suit me-
Looking for farm, l s'pose"
'Ye-es, possibly
The one you're on is in the market.
It's reckoned one of the finest in these
parts. There's four hundred and nine
acres in it. Thirty acres woodland and
forty-fve paster; an as to the soil, it's
a light, rich loom an in coed heart.
There's plenty Of runnin' water for
stock, too
L think l should like to live on this
place and I'll 60 over it after dinner,
if you will
Certain, certain
Here was a satisfactory buyer IN pros
pect, and Phineas was congratulatins
himself, when the boy, who had wan
dered into the hall, burst into the room
with the fishing rod Of the dead Abner
in his hand.
See here, father?' he cried. What
funny rod y
Boy! boyv cried Phineas. Giye
me that. No stranger ever laid hauds
On that afore.'
And in great excitement he snatched
the rod away.
Gringo apologlzed for and reproved
the boy, and Phineas, little ashamed
of his burst of feeling, explained.
1t belonged to my only son. Mr..
Gringo who went away an died in a
far away place, an it has been kept
hangln' there jest as he left it,
And then he told the story oil his sons
departure and OF his death.
When be had finished, Mrs. Carver
came into the room again, and the
stranger, after a mcmentnry pause, al
though for reflection, said:
DO bou know, now, Think 1t Jus'
possible that your son may not haze
been killed at alp rn
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