Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1888-11-02

MAGGIE's MISTAKE.
NO. H..

|. "You don't mean to tell me, Maggie
Meredith" said Aunt Mary Denham,
stopping short in the midst Of her sew
ing that you have gone and quarroled
with Harvey Crittenden :"
.Exactly," said her pretty niece, turn
ing her head. II gave him back his
ring, and | sincerely hope shall never
sec him again." But the expression Of
her eyes belied her words.
Aunt Mary shook her head obviously.
II am afraid you have made sad mis-
take. What was the quarrel about p
"Well, said I hated beggarsr thaea
all. We were out walking avd met a
forlorn old beggar who smOF horribly
Of wbiskey. Harvey Insisted on keep
ing me waiting there whil0 he fumbled
through his pockets for some>money for
the old man. Then we had fopg dis
cussion and the amount Of it was Tgave
him back his ring" y,
II hope you wonlSlive to regret what
you have DONE" said her aunt, simply.
II always thought you were kind heart
cd to the posf.'
"Well, I am" said Maggie, when
they are unfortunate, but what use is
there helping man that drinks" and
she hounced out of tho room very much
out of temper with herself and every one
else.
"Oh, dear how lonely that poor lit
tie finger looks!' said Maggie one day
softly to herself. ut has been there
long enough to leave ridge, too /
reckon the next girl Harvey Crittenden
is engaged to will have an easier time
with him than have, He has learned
lesson from this as true as you live,
Maggie" still surveying the finger
stripped Of its dear symbol. dts al
ways the way with men; one woman
has to be victimized in order that an
other may be decently treated. We'll.
I'm glad for somebody. Harvey is glori-
GUS sometimes. II that fellow don't send
home my photograph by tomorrow I'm
going to send for it. And now, Mag
gle Meredith, if you make a fool Of your
self another minute for any biped Under
the sun you deserve the rack You do
hate beggars stick to it," and Maggie
surveying herself in the mirror, prom
ised she would.
miss Maggie, !" said the cook, break
ing upon her reverie, "there is an old
man down to the door who wants some
thing TO eat and job Of light work.
Och, he's a sick looking old Teller en-
tirely. Will yc be after coming down,
Miss p
"Another beggar p unused Maggie.
"Im thankful auntie is out. or | might
receive lecture on the beauties Of con-
sistency. I wasn't born without any Of
that, either. Well !" said she, opening
the. back area door, where the old man
stood, "what can I do for you? Cook
tells me you are i'll and hungry and
want work"
Eyes, Miss" said the old bundle Of
tatters. in low, trembling tones.
What is the matter with you p aud
Maggie's voice was full Of sympathy.
,"0h. nothing but the rheumatic. I've
had it all winter. It's all | can do TO
take step. But for the love Of mercy
give me mouthful TO cat; I'm almost
starved"
Come into the kitchen and we'll see
what we can do for you. Cook, get him
a good warm cup Of coffee and whatever
you have got good to eat, Wouldn't
you like to wash your face and hands y
"Oh, yes. ma'am, if you please" re-
piled 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 towel before
him, poured out his coffee and set the
chair TO the. kitchen table.
"Now eat just as mach as you can,
said she, filing his plate.
"How much coal did you put in for
the family below 2"
"Oh, about half ton"
"Well, and didn't they pay you for
thatT
"Oh, no, ma'am," he replied. "How
could I expect it when didn't do as
agreed to ."
.'Well, that man deserves hanging.
I'd take my affidavit that it was mar
who made that bargain with you and
allowed you. hungry and sick, to leave
without being paid; no woman would
ever serve human being SO scurvy .
trick"
The old man pressed his hand to bis
head and then replied:
Eyes, my dear Miss, it was a man
but then there are very few like you il
the world"