Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1882-09-15
THE GOVERNOR S WIFE.

THE GOVERNORS WIFE.
''Sakes alive. Caleb Mortoni Brought
home two people to eat us ont of house
and home, and you in debt already up to
the crown of your head, as a body might
say! Well, if ever heard the like! When
you have got the roof off from over our
heads, perhaps you'll be happy! We shall
live to want through you dooings'
The speaker was little thick-set wo-
man with hard wrinkled face. thin. tight
ly shut lips. and two fierce little light-blue
eyes that glared with all the sparkn ness of an
angry hawks glance, first upon the stout
comforrable-looki white-headed farmer
who was shifting uneasily from one foot
to the other in front of his Own door, and
then at the pale, scared countenances of
delicate woman and child who sat in the
wagon from which he had just dismoun-
! ted.
l. Such pleasant locking home it had
been to these weary wayfarers before it's
mistress appeared!
A square, old-fashioned farmhouse, gray
with the storms of sixty years or more;
but with broad, fiat door stone, and an
open door overhung with lilac blossoms
a door that led straight into the neatest
of Kitchens. were long rows of glistening
tins, in corner cupboard. shone like sill
yer as the evening fire blazed upward from
the open hearth.
But Mrs. Morton spoiled it all. Her
sour. withered, misery vlsage and her
sharp hard voice made the poor woman
who had come to seek her charity shudder
and grow sick at heart.
Don't mind us, sir. We will go back
and sit beside the road where you took us
up" she said, family, to the farmer. II
am not beggar, and my child must new
or be one, Let us go sir. We would both
rather sta1ye than stay where we are not
welcome.'
She reached forward to touch the farmer
on the shoulder but even that effort was
t 70 much for her wasted streagth
She sank forward and would have fallen
under the horses feet if the farmer, warned
by cry from the little girl had not turned
and caught her in his arms.
"Well Pm sure!" began Mrs. Morton
spitefully. to the child, whose great blue
eyes were fixed upon her with a look of fear
and dislike ''Yonr ma makes quite free
for a stranger
For shame, Sarah,'' said her husband
severely. ''At least we have enough and
( 20 spare for the present. and the future
must take care of itself. Folksa are not going
to perish to death right here at my door
when I can prevent it,
There's the poor house for such as
her," said Mrs. Morton, viciOuslv.
A look from her husband silenced her
at last. He bore the fainting woman in
doors, and laid her down in the spare
room. son my best bed" Mrs. Morton
used to say, Indignantly. for many a
month thereafter. With his own hands
the kind old man carried in a plentiful sup
per and breakfast to the wanderers And
when, after the next mornings meal. the
poor women babe him adieu, and, with
| grateful tears, prayed that God might bless
him, he pa!ted her on the shoulder en-
couragingy, and slipped five dollar bill
into her hand. $500 ss
Take that, my dear. for you and the
little one to live on, till you get stronger -
he said. ''Now don't cry over it my dear,
but keep good heart, and heaven will
send you friends as you journey along
Good by, little one. Will you give an old
man a kiss?"
Yes, L will. said the child, sprlnging
into his outstretched arms, and pressing
her lips upon his vithered cheek,
land when am great large woman, I'll
pay you back for being so kind to my poor
mother. Why, she would have died if
you hadn't taken her in last night. And
then 1 should have died, tool"
Tears were in the farmers eyes as he
stood looking after his late guests; but his
heart was warm with the consciousness of
good action performed and benefit con-
ferred.
"You might as we'll hang sign out and
say that we keep a tavern for every stray
gler that comes along. You won't end till
we are both in the poor house, and then
you'll be easy!'' ~
"If am to 60 to the poor house for
helping a starving woman and child, 20
must, Sarah" said her husband, quietly
"And go you will, mark my word" re-
piled Mrs. Morton, in fury, shutting the
house door with bang, that made every
milkpan and cup and saucer ring and rat
tie again.
X X X
i Ten years passed on And it began to
look as if Mrs. Morton had only been too
true prophet when she foretold ruin for
her husba nd and the alms-house for them
both.
In an evil day, Caleb Morton signed a
note for poor and struggling neighbor,
who died just as the time of payment drew
near. f..
Nothing was left, except scanty pro-
vision for the widow and orphans. Caleb
would have starved before claiming that
from them, even if he could do so legally.
Their homestead, already mortgaged,
must 60 to pay the debt. and he was ten
years older, broken down by hard work,
and beaten down just now BY his wife's