The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1888-07-07

CyCSy loiIoill "lSlSllSb-ioohiliS
creature, in the midst OF the mos
humble surroundings She rose tt
welcome him, and offered him a chai
of rude construction, and dilapidatet
at that.
There was something de solote il
the old lady's appearance that gooo
Elder Me gs felt his beart drawn ou
in pity. He wanted to offer he
some consolation, but he did no
know how to commence He spok.
OF the weather as an unfailing re
source, said it was a lovely spring
day, and he supposed Brother How
ard was busy in the field.
A half sullen, halt inarticulate an
swer was given.
well, sister, | hope you hav,
sweet communings with the deal
Jesus. You do not seem to have
much to turn you aside from sweet
spiritual converse with this dear
friend"
Instead of answering, she turne {
upon him abruptly and asked, care
you married again, Brother Meigs?'
Eyes, sister, he answered, won.
dering at her abrupt question.
81 thought | heard something like
it. Did you marry a strange wo.
MANI"
why, no sister. | had known
and honored her for many years. -
!b'Well, Pm glad O that" she said
with something like interest in hel
manner. Il tell you, it's an awfu
thing to marry a stranger. | die
that forty years ago, and as near as
| can calculate, we hain't got ac-
quainted yit."
That must be sad indeed, Sister
Howard, | can't quite understand
you."
Presently the old man appeared,
walking with shambling gait. He
was thin and poorly clad. though his
clothes were we'll mended and clean.
Good day, Brother Howard;
hope | See you we'll this fine spring
day." said the Elder, rising to greet
the man as he approached. Howard
held out an almost lifeless hand,
which he allowed Brother Meigs to
ske. but he did not seem to find any
words to utter. After a little time,
he went to the WATERFALL that stood
on a shelf in the corner, and taking
down gourd dipper, sought fol
water.
why, Phrony, there amt bit
O water in the pail" he SAID in re-
proachful tone.
"Well, you didn't bring any,
was the whining reply.
The man took the pail and went
to the spring, some distance from the
house, through the tall grass still wet
with dew. Elder Meigs had drawn
his chair near the door, and now t
looking after him.
It's good bit of a walk to the
spring, Sister Howard" sail the
Elder.
''Yes, Brother Me gs, and I've
brung hundreds of pailfuls of water
from it. But the doctor said musn' I
do that any more, or I'd be bringing
it now. Pears like Howard never
thought ont till the doctor told him
that it was my trallin' through the
wet grass that give me the rheumatic
this spring, and it come nigh Grip
plin' me for life"
THAT was very thoughtless OF
your husband" said the Elder.
wall, | suppuse It's what one
must expect when you marry stran-
GER" she said, in a spiritless tone.
But forty years ought to be long
enough to make you acquainted, "
said the Elder.
No, Brother Meigs, l don't think
eternity would be long enough when
you're naturally strangers, she sald,
looking keenly into his good -natured
face.
But that is dreadful Sister Ho-
ward. How can you live together in
the same room, sit at the same table
and sleep in the same bed, and still
be strangers ?"
81 can't tell you how it's, but ii
has always been so, from the day he
brought me away rom comtorta lie
home and kind friends and neigh
bors, and put me into this miserable
cabin and told me this was my
home"
And you never planted a tree OF
a flower, nor did anything to make
it look cheerful and homelike?" ?" said
the Elder, in a tone that had in it the
sound of reproach.
Yes, | did for good many years
but the cattle browsed down my little
trees, and the hogs rooted up my
flowers, and ,Howard said they was
nothln' but weeds, and he didn' care
if they was rooted out; so | give ii
up. He seemed to be kinder jealous
of sech things. an said | cared more
for them than | did for him."
Did you ever neglect him for
your garden? q? Did you let him come
in hungry and find nothing ready