Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1888-10-30
MISCELLANEOUS.
Maggie's Mistake, or Daring
Device.

3uhn, salu AUNT wary beunuIii. i.stoPFius snoF'
in the midst of her sewing. "that you have
gone and quarreled with Harvey Crittendon? p
Exactly" said her pretty niece, turning her
head al gave hin, back his ring, and sim
cerely hope shall never see him again" But
the expression of her eyes belied her words.
Aunt Mary shook her head dibiously. al
am afraid you have made sad mistake. What
was the quarrel about ?"
We'll, said hated beggars, that's all
We were out walking and met forlorn old
beggar who smelt horribly of whiskey. Har-
vey insisted on keeping me waiting there in the
cold while he fuu15ed through his pockets for
some money for the old man, Then we had q
long discussion, and the amount OF it was ]
gave him back his ring"
al hope you won't lire to regret what you
have DONE" said her aunt; simply, Il always
thought you were kind-hearted to poor people" "
"Well. am." said Maggie, "when they are
unfortunate, but what use is there helping u
man that drinks" and SHE flounced out of the
room very much out of temper with herself and
everyone else.
"Oh, dearI how lonely that poor little finger
looks!" said Maggie one day softly to herself.
g 1t had been there long enough to leave u
ridge. too. I reckon the next girl Harvey Crit
tendon is engaged to will have an easier time
with him than 1 have. He has learned a les
son from this US true you live, Maggie" still
surveying the finger, stripped of its dear SYM
boil. /" It's always the way with men; one
woman has to be victimised in order that an
other may be decently treated. Well, I'm glad
for somebody. Harvey is glorious sometimes.
If that fellow don't send home my photograph
by tomorrow Im Just going to send for it
And now. Maggie Meredith. if you make a fool
of yourself another minute for any biped un-
der the sun you deserve the rack You do hate
beggarsi stick to it, and Maggie, surveying
herself in the mirror, promised she would.
Miss Maggie" said the cook, breaking in
upon her rcverie, '.there is an old man down
to the door who wants something to eat and a
job of light work. Och, he's q sick looking
old feller entirely. Will we be after coming
down, Miss 90 90 ----
"Another beggar.r ninsed Maggie. " I'm
thankful auntie is out. or might receive a lee
ture on the beauties of consistency. wasn't
born with any of that either. Well!'' said she.
opening the back door where the old man stood.
what can do for your Cook tells me you
are i'll and hungry. aud want work" o..
Yes, miss" said the old bundle of tetters.
in low, trembling tones.
'--syIat is the matter with your" and Mag
-gie's voice was full of sympathy.
"Oh. nothing but the rheumatic. I've had
1t all winter. It's all ! can do TO take a step
But for the love of mercy give me mouthful
to eat; :; I'm almost starved .,.-l
"Come into the kitchen and wen see-v>Isf
we can do for you. Cook, get him a good AC>-~
f-ooffocs- YyoHftarcgoege-
to cat. Wouldn't you like to vash your face
and hands?"
''oh, yes. ma'am, If you please" replied the
beggar, = L was trying to put in some coal for
the folks below, but was obliged to leave it !;
hadn't got the strength"
Maggie with her own hands placed a basin of
water, soap and towels before him, poured out
his coffee and set the chair to the kitchen ta-
bic.
NOW cat just as much as you can" said
she. filling his plate.
"How much coal did you put in for the fan.
lily below?"
"Oh, about half ton"
Well, and didn't they pay you for that ?"
"oh, no, ma'am." he replied. GLOW could
l expect it when / didn't do as agreed to -
.tWell, that man deserves hanging. I'd take
my affidavit that it was a man who made that
bargain with sou, and allowed you, hungry
and sick, to leave without being paid; no wo-
man would ever serve human being so scurvy
q trick
moment. and then replied:
Yes, my dear miss, it was 4 man but then
there are very few like you in the world"
hearty laugh. Every few ike me. yuu poor.
sick old man very few like me. indeed You
wouldn't believe that hate beggars, would
you? That I have no patience with anybody
who is poor, i'll or unfortunate? Oh. pshaw /!
what in the world am I talking about2 Why,
bless Your soul. good man. vou haven't eaten
enough to keep u mouse alive. Now tell me
about this rheumatism. Where does IL trouble
you7r
"In my knees. mics - aud the old man again
hid his face in his hands
$50 to my closet" said she TO the servant
and bring that big bottle of Iinimeut.-
I'll giye them n real good rubbing myself. aud
then you can take the bottle home and bathe
them two or three times day. Rheumatism
must be terrible
Bridget returned with the desired article
Maggie took her seat on the floor.
"Oh, no. Miss said the beggar. strange
tremor in his voice, - I cannot permit that
Why. you old goose" said Maggie, laugh
ing. - 1 can do you more good in five minutes
than you can do yourself In an hour. I am
used to these things. I've dozen on my sick
list now for whom have TO perform just such
offices. What are your hands made for If they
are not to do good with ? Come, don't be
foolish -
Maggie, Maggie, Maggie. " and in the twink
ling of an eye the old gray wig. whiskers and
eyebrows were removed. and Harvey Critten-
don, his face irradiated with joy, love, ard q
peculiar soul satisfaction which Maggie had
never seen there before, confronted her. Mag
gle was like one stunned for moment. but
quickly rallied. aud as soon as she could find
breath between the kisses showered upon her,
remarked saucily:
"HuInph! Don't you suppose j knew it was
you all the time2 Just doing il to show off.
that's ALL" But good genuine burst of tears
told different story, and Maggie, clasped
fondIy in her lovers arms. sobbed out her JOY
and repentance. Maggie Is now a wife bat an
allusion to the rheumatism. or a bottle of lin
imeut. is quite sufficient to send her biushing
from the room.
Their Business Booming.
Probably no one thing has caused
such general revival of trade at c. F.