Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1885-09-26
IN A HOLLOW ELM.

The morning train, with q great
rattle and much snoring and putting
from the locomotive. skIrted the low
eF end of the little New England viii
la2e of Middleton, and finally, with a
wheezy sigh. as though from eXhaus-
ton, came to a standstill opposite the
red, bOX-ike structure dIgn.ted with
the name Of depot.
One passenger alighted, and after
sundry preliminary pufs and snOrts,
the train continued on its course.
None among the little throng OF
idlers on the station platform recOg-
nized the new conner, who was rather
shabbily dressed, with q cOnsumptive
stoOp TO his shoulders and a pale.
clear-cut face. lighted by two large
black eyes, whish. from their dreamy
expression, seemed to be gazing upon
some scene far away.
Guess, he's a hook peddler," said
old Isaiah Butteriield, the village ora
Gle. shading his eyes with his hand
and gazing after the stranger. Yes,
/ know he is. for he's turnin' into
Squire MerrimaH's gate. Coin to git
him IS a subscriber lust, as a sort Of a
recommend, an then tackle the rest
Of the village
ESQUIRE Jacob Merriman was the
village magnate. and lived IN the I'M
est house in town.
The supposed book peddler walked
SLOWLY up the straight gravel path
leading to the front door, and rang
the bell.
After quite long wait during which
8 bl nd was cautiously opened at an
upper window and Il pair of bright
el es survey ed the visitor. the door
WAS opened by a servant girl who had
evidently Just come from the wash
tub, Judging from the red, perspiring
face and steaming, parbOilad arms,
which were barred above the elbows.
Sure, we want nOthin' tO-daYP
cried the girl, with an. angry toss OF
her head, and she was about to close
the door.
Il beg your pardonr' said the visi-
tor, stepping into the hail sis hiss
Kate al hOme?''
That she is, sir. "
Take her my card, please" con-
tinued the caller.
And thrusting his hand into an in
ner pocket, he drew therefrOm q
shabby wallet. and handed the g ri a
card, on which was written, in bold
characters, the name:
JOHN KENC."
The girl took the card by ono cor
ner. with the tips OF her thumb and
fiDger, and bidding the gentleman be
seated in the hall, disappeared.
In a few minutes she returned, and
with saucy pertness delivered her
message.
''Sure, Miss Kate says she's not at
home To the lOikes Of you.
AIT murmered Kent, and his pale
face flushed.
He did not stop to expostuiate or
make further inquiries concerning this
strange message. but walked through
the door, which the girl held open for
him, and slammed shut, with bang.
as soon as his feet touched the
porch. with his shoulders more stopped
than when lie entered.
Ell might have expected this" he
muttereds between the house and the
gale.
And another weary sigh escaped
him.
He stopped minute on the side
walk. and, after looking up and down
the street. walked toward the lett, and
a short distance from the house turned
down another street which led by the
town hail and the tvTa meeting houses,
the blacksmith shop. aud the grave
yard across the railroad, and the mar
row little River ipswich, and on out
into the country
PA take one last look at The farm, "
be said, when he reached the bridge
and paused f0r "a liss,ment 70 gaze down
inso the .umbl;ng winter .sand then 60
back 70 tine old life 81 tolls a2d hunger,
End gaak