Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1886-04-30
J0ES ORPHAN.

1t was night for dyeams-a rough.
wild storm without-and an open fire, a
table covered with books, a cushioned
chair and slippers within. At least Joe
Danforth thought so.
"What shall do?" he soliloouized.
"Hcre want to have quiet time dream
ing by my own fire. Cozy isn't it9"
AS he said this and looked at the COM
Portable furnishings of his room, and
then at the CHEEKY fire, his car caught the
sound of the wind roaring down the
chimney
GLOW the storm howlsm he now de-
clared, stepping to the red rich curtains
that fell in warm, thick folds to the
floor. He tried to look out.
''Bah, it is wintry! How the snow
gathers on the window-ledge. 1t looks
like bed of lily blossoms, thought Joe.
Then he tried to locate the d fferent gas
lamps in the neighborhool. Only fee
BILE recognition did these sentinels wink
back through the storm at Joe.
II don't want to 90 out, am sure, "
thought Joe. Must ! Let me read that
note again"
He went back to the lamp-light, and
taking up note, read:
DEAR JoE-Can't YOU come down to the
house this evening? That individual will be
here, the orphan we told you about, and we
sort of want you to know her. Are you
aware, young man, that this is the third time
have planned little company, including
you and this other friend though she doesn't
know itN Charlie and l call cur friend
'Joe's Orphan! but if you don't come to.
night YOU shall lose all claim upon her, and
we will be offended. We can't reserve Or
nothing. Now come. Cousin Joe, do, or-or
you will miss it. Affectionately yours,
COUSIN FANNY"
"P S. You understand me.'
eyes, understand you," soliloquized
Joe. "You would like to get me into a
scrape. Joe's Orphan! I'm not going.
l don't want to see her."
Here the old bachelor-he was not
very old, only thirtv--settled back con-
tentedly in his chair to enjoy the sound
of the wind blowing all sizes of trumpets
down the chimney.
"Why is it?" Cousin Fanny said to her
husband, Charlie Waters, that every
evening at the supper table -"why is it
Joe does not care more for us females
He is cynic, a savage, stone, and if
he does not accept my invitation, l will
make him pay for it."
And why did not Joe Danforth show
more susceptibility 1t is true he was
fastidious in his tastes, but there was an
other reason. About six years ago he
was away on vacation in manufactur-
ing district and spent several weeks near
a river that made most picturesque val
leys as we'll as turned very important
millwheels. He was leisurely walking
along bushy country road when he saw
a young woman step out of little house
that he had not discovered before, so
leafy was the nest in which it was hid
ing. On the arm of this young woman
leaned an old man. She was Of medium
height, her complexion fair and her fea
lures regular. Her beauty was in hel
eyes. "Such eyes," Joe sa to himsclt
at once. Certainly no young lady's eyes
had ever looked so far down into his
SOUL There was clearness to them, {
bright, crystal purity, a penetrativeness
that made Joe say a second time
"Such eyesw AS to color, whethe
blue, hazel, brown, black, gray
or even yellow, Joe could give no ac
count Why is it that certain looks from
strangers are so magnetic, we remember
them to our dying day-and certainly vii
beyond--whercaS other glances make a
little impression as the raindrop gliding
over a marble tombstone? Joe was in M
condition to reason out the problem
Those eyes went through him like electric
ity Shock one from the battery
'Mercym screamed the young lady
lifting her head and looking in the di
rection of swift carriage-wheels that FL
most noiselcssly had turned an abrLp
corner fifteen feet away. Another min
ute, horse and carriage would have com
rushing upon the old man Joe saw it
One of the charges brought against hin
by superficial acquaintances was, that h
was "a fellow of impulses" A "freak,
a "whim," might seize him, and off h
would go. His freaks, though, wer
generally in the right dire etion, and
was in reality only his decision and self
forgetfulness that made him peculiar
= The next moment ice was springing 70
the old man. Selling him quickly, h
drew him away from his dangerous posi-
ton.
ooh, thank you, sir" said the youn
lady, and then came Shock number tw
from the battery of those eyesl TIL
time Joe's soul was stirred to its yer
depths. She turned away with he
father, when scream was heard
"Joe! Joew This came from
D second carriage that was passing
Joe looked up. The carriage ha
halted.
'If there isn't Cousin Fannyl"
said.
She was beckoning to him. Inwa dl
resolving that he would return and il
/, quire about the old man-and somobod
e else-he accepted Fanny's invitation
/. 'ride bit" She peced out this rid
with another 'bit, and when Joe did n
turn to INQUIRE FIR the old man at th
house nesting in the woods, he was tol
that the young lady and her companio
were strange $, only stopping there for
brief rest, and where they had gone n
one could say.
y "Provokingw exclaimed Joe. He di
not give up the Sc lrch though. Return
ing to the city, he said to himself or
day: "Thcre was that old shoemaker i
u the viii &c whom I hid occasion to sc
+ several Ii nes, and it seems to me thu
one day saw that young | dy's fathC
in his 81 op. Now the shoemaker ma
know about him. and / will inquire :"
Ia can't a letter of innuirv oboIt RI