Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1885-09-04

P''s AOOD
ing obviously around the kitchen.
Phlena, she don't believe III giving
much. unless it's through the
Church Benevolent Guide And
Seraphina isn't at homs.'
The Widow Waterman gave a lit
tie sniff Of mingled depreciation and
humility.
" Times are very bad with me, Mr..
Foxglove,' said she. Il hain't had
no work since August, and there
amt nothing to eat in the house."
You don't tell me- said the
farmer, who was the softest- hearted
Of men. =" Here, give me your bas-
ko,. Philena'll say I'm an old fool !;
but don't caro-"
There's them as had entertained
angels unawares, whined the Widow
Waterman, as she sidled into the
room, and held out her talon-like
fingers 10 the fire of good pine logs
which were cracking and sputtering
chce,fully on the hearth.
Anything less akin to the angelic
tribe than Mrs. Waterman could
scarcely DO imagined as she sat there
with bedraggled gown. bonnet bent
one-sided fashion over her eyes, and
gauzy rag of shawl pulled across
her gaunt shoulders.
But MIR. Foxglove, honest man,
saw only her poverty and destitution.
With n trepidation not unlike the
sensation of n school-boy who robs
an orchard for the first time, he went
into the buttery and helped himself
to half cold roast fowl, loaf of
rye bread, a gcodly wedge OF yellow
butter out OF q covered stone jar,
and three'quarters Of juicy apple
pie.
lin keep her for twenty-four
hours at least" he thought.
And then he opened Mrs. Fox
gloves especial tin tsa-caddy. and
flchsd . handful Of the fragrant
dried leaves. which he wrapped up
in brown paper and put beside the
other visuds.
II dunno what Philena will say"
he thought; "but there! I amt
made OF stun nor yet cast iron and
steel films. And l can't stand by
and SEQ n fellow-creetur starve, no
matter how shiftless and good for
nothin' she is
And, CHANGING 10 notice how thin
and inadequate the poor old woman 3
shawl was. he recklessly took down
IN old bombazine cloak, originally o
bright brown. but now faded in as
many strsaks as zebra's hide, which
had hung from time immemorial in
the back entry.
There ain't no more use in that
old dud," he thought. "And it'll
keep the cold out! And if Philena
makes . fuss. I'll give her a new
blanket shawl"
Mrs. Waterman went off rejoicing.
And when the glow of satisfaction
had faded out OF Farmer Foxglove's g
soul. u dreadful fear took possession
Of him.
What will Philena think ?" said
he. II guess, upon the whole, that
I won't say nothin' about it,"
Presently Mrs. Foxglove and Ser
aphina came home from the weekly
meeting Of the Society for the Help
eIsof the Heather. in jubilant spirits.
George Paterson was there"
said Mrs. Toxglove. "H He said he
came after his aunt, but it is my be-
lief he wanted to walk home with
Ssrapbins. Just as il our gal wes
goin' TO keep company with a feller
like that. as hasn't got penny in
the world, and works at the saw-mill
for crown a day! Not if 1 know
IT,"
Certainly not. said the farmer in
. conciliatory tone.
But Ssraphina only hung down
her head, and said nothing.
La, mev' said Mrs. Foxslove
from the kitchen. What has come
to things? Here's the cold chicken
and the apple-pie gone! and the
cover of the butter-jar, tool"
"Y-yes.' said the farmer. cough
ing. III got sort of hungry, SO I
thought I'd jest take snack"
Couldn't you have waited until
suppertime?" said Mrs. Foxglovs,
severely.
Her husband was silent. Was it
not just possible. he thought, that
the recording angel might balance
that roady falsehood against his re-
cent act OF charity, SO that his soul
should be none the gamer by the
compound transaction 1t was so
hard always 10 tell what was right.
II was calculating on that chicken
for supper" said Mrs. Foxglove.
Now We shall have to put up with
cold boiled pork and mustard. But
I don't suppose Nehemiah, you'll
want 10 sat much"