Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1891-10-30

1 SttAN %NNhg ~
litely.
No answer, but a scowl, yet the
little hand still nestled closely. Pres
emily, still wa king beside her friend
by election of one, Nan said:
"Pm pretty well, thank you," as
in reproachful reminder that her
greeting had not been answered. The
tone said:
"lf you are too rude to inquire how
am, am polite enough TO tell YOU"
Still 10 answer, and the heavy
beard hid the quivering lips. Then
the little hand gave a strong pull, and
the baby voice said imperiously:
Candy
Candy said the bewildered
bachelor, stopping, obedient to the
pull.
"Candy! Nan wants sonnet" and
the wee finger was extended TO q
tempting row of molasses-candy rams
in the window of the only cake and
candy store in Snowvillc.
A silver piece was put in the rosy
palm by Mr.. Carpenter, amazed at
himself and hoping nobody was look
ing. But Nan was still holding fast to
his hand.
"1ou come, too~
"No, no." he said, hastily; "get
your candy and run homel' And
gently Gisengaging himself, lie hur-
ried Off
But silver piece bought more
candy than Nan had ever before
possessed, a great sticky parcel her
baby hands could scarcely grasp.
Eager TO show her prize, and to share
it, she ran quickly down the lane
leading to Mr.. Carpenters house, and
reaching it, thumped on the door with
all the strength of her baby fist. JON
athan S;ubbs was out, and mob )dy
came. Nan pounded till she was
tired, and then her restless eyes spied
little round window wide open.
1t was such a small window that
burglary could find no entrance there
but it was over a water-butt, and un-
der the butt was q bench. How Nan
scaled the water-butt and wriggled in
at the window, without losing the
precious paper of candy, must ever
remain mystery. But she dropped
through, on the floor of a wide hall
way, and looked about her.
Door after door yielded TO her
sticky grasp; and at last Mr.. Carpen-
ter was startled 10 see, right before
him, Mans little figure and tiny hands
holding great parcel of sticky
sweetness.
"Seep' cried the baby voice, in glad
triumph; "Nan got all that. Mans
brought you some."
Would anybody in Snowville have
believed it if he had seen Nan neyeAsaa !,
on the bachelors knee, forcing bits of |
candy between his lips, prattling hap
PLY and receiving such gentle caresses
as won her baby heart forever. No
body saw them, the strong man and |
the little child, as they exchanged |
kisses. Nobody heard them as they !
talked freely of nursery experience,
and gave each other views of the |
merits of "stupid dollies that can't |
talk, and nice, dear little chickies and |
kitties that play"
Day after day Nan wriggled through |
the little window, missed only by |
Jane, and coming home before the
weary httle mother completed her
daily round of teaching. Snowville
began TO wonder "what had come 10
Mr.. Carpenter" The rough, shaggy
beard gave way TO a pair of silky I
whiskers, that didn't scratch Mans
face when he kissed her. The shabby
clothes were replaced by a suit of
cheviot, because Nan turned up her
dainty nose at the fringe on the trou-
sers and the grease on the coat. White
linen took the place of gray flannel, at
Mans request to "look like the pic
ture," after discovering photograph
tal.ep years before
lIobody guessed how the baby
fingers were tearing away the crust a
woman's treachery had spread over q
tender, generous heart, and letting in
the sunshine of protecting love. JON
athan guessed, but jonathan was
mute.
1t was winter weather. when one
morning Mrs. Carroll, who was giving
a music lesson, was startled by boy
who rushed into her pupils room,
crying:
"Oh, Mrs. Carroll, comel comet
Old Snap-'em-up is a-killin' o your
Nan! You can hear her a-screamin'
way Down the road!'
The mother flew to the rescue.
Already there was crowd around
the house, and everybody talked at
once. Doors and windows were
barred aud bolted; but from its fast
ness came wailing cries;