The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1885-02-21

4 10 hHcu Ire, ana lie had an old Dlank(
4 about lis shoulders, over lis raggc
4 great coat 1t was chill that seemed I
4 come from the heart, aud made lir
A shiyer fearlully. The nrst shiyer seize
him when the clock struck g. It wa
I such deadly, curdliug chill that j
. frightened Richard Rock woefuly; IN,
: before it had passed away a knock at th
d o: lent Linn shiyering again. It wa
not loud, fierce knock-just a tmid
iremulous rap or twoS but none the les
dil Lis heart leap into his mouth at th,
sound.
Who could it be, at that time Of night:
Richard Rock crcpt to tie door and un.
barred it as he asked the question. a
figure, all draped in gray, a shawl OF
mantle over the head, dt2pping down to
the feet, stood without. 1t turned its
face toward Richard Rock, clasped its
hands, and said, in voice that set Linn
shivering again:
I'm cold tonight, very cold, and. l
have 10 shelter. Let me in ana give
me q crust to eat, ap@ let me lie any,
where, and God will bless you "
/ Richard Rock shrunk away. "I never
encourage begeqrs." he said, and shut
the door aud fastened it, But before be
had leoched the fireplace the knocking
came again.
Again he opened the dooy and repulscd
the bcggar with harsh words; but the
being, man, woman, or child, whichever
it was, never sliyred from the spot. 1t
stood just where be had first seen it, and
called him TO the door eleven times.
On the eleventh lie yielded, and said:
Come iu, then" The figure advanced
and approached the Fireplace. There
were two chairs always standing beside
it. Oae was Mrs. Rocks. Into that it
dropped.
The areY drapory hid its face, but
pair of strange, bright eyes cleaned
through the shadow upon Richard Rocks
face. They frightened him again. In
fear, rather than pity, lie went 10 the
table, and brought to it piece of bread
and a cup Of milk. Tho singular guest
took them, and ate and drank Then it
sat looking at tho old man steadfaslIv.
HtrItug Upon him, Richard Rock spoke.
"YoU're stranger mere, / reckon"
I come from far away said the beg
gar, not showing him more Of the face
than he had yet seen.
"You chose { bad time to travel" said
Richard
Il had work to do s'id the stranger,
For whom?' asked Richard.
For tie poor said the stranger.
"You look poor enou h yourself. said
the old man.
"Bu. there are poorer than T. said the
stranger "Odt ia the village yonder
many Will die ii they have neither fire
nor food. l want gift tor them, Rich
ara Rock"
YOU cried Richard, Good heav-
ensl This Is II trick, then, OF that con-
founded deacon with the subscription
paper. I'm"
The strange figure lifted its hand.
"a year ago there was woman here, -
it said. Richard started.
"She sat in this chair knitting" said
the VOICE under the gray hood. y think
you loved her little; WAS it so?"
Surely. did,' said Richard Rock.
Won married her when she was n
Lllthe young girl" said the figure, "and
you made her an old woman before her
time. She toiled YEARLY from morning
until night. She lived on coarse and
common food"
"So did T. said Richard.
''Sae knew it, said the being, "She
hardly blamed you. She loved you. You
miss her now, sometimes?"
God knows do," said Richard.
"Y,t you thought wine too dear to
buy, aud let her die for want Of it, said
The stranger,
'No, no" cried Richard, Who told
You thn,? III had thought that, /"
at is true" said the stranger, "Ye
she died loving you. II sho could comt
from heaven now and ask boon of you
would you grant ii2"
"God knows would" said Richard
"But the dead meyer return And thel
$50 he afterward ayerred-the fgur,
arose slowly, and all the gray draper!
dropped away, ard he saw. robed il
white, more beautiful than when b.
wooed her in her girlhood, and With
shining halo round her head lis wifi
herself and no other. Ho could no
speak
D She looked upon him with a genu
smile.
"They said you would not entertain
me; but made you she said softly
D Il knew You better than they. Promis
me- before leave you, to do just vha
@ l say
D Richard could only gasp
i Il will"
4 "a year from this night you will die,
=, said the spirit. You can take nothin
with you whittier you must 60. Their
are poor creatures dying Of want her
by. suoclr thrm.T
n Twill, said Richard.
10 "Gye your gold to those who will us
II it for the poor. said the spirit, "au
o tiot ort the long, selfish years by one
d utter generosity Atl,s end ] viii me,
i- You. Richard, good.hy."
d The clock struck u as she spoke; ,
o. saw her fade, "a, the rainbow fades fror
3, the skies. lie s,roye 90 clutch her rob
l- bat it clu3ei his grasp and he fell fain
a lag TO the door.