Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1891-08-28

| DhCh lutO Tue HOuSC.
If they had remained and peeped in at
the window, they might have seen Hetty
. performing an ecstatic dance across the
sitting room floor to where the worn-out
Colonel rested in his leather chair. They
might have seen her fling herself upon
the arm, and whisper in the Colonel's ear
exactly what he aud all the other people
must go and do.
But the birds must have been sorely
puzzled, for why should whisper from
a girl who was always whispering make
such an impression upon a gray-halred,
sensible man like the Colonel!
He did nos wait until she was done
whispering before he was tapping his
feet on the floor and nodding his he ad,
and exclaiuing, "By George!" in ap
proval. Whether or not she was really
done they could not have known, for the
Colonel suddenly put on his hat aud left
| the room.
Ali around the country for miles aud
miles drove Hettys grandfather, the
Colonel, pausing for an instant at every
house on the way, rushing in and ont of
billions livery stable, and excaiminy
and gesticulating 70 every maa he met.
When Colonel Green reached home
that night he was ready for bel; but he
did not go to it. He ate his supper in
desperate hurry, and ordered out his
tired horse.
John Wagner and Will Smith did an
outrageous thing. Bill Walsh, as every
body knew, was down with the scarlet
fever, and three children lying ill in the
next room; but these two young fellows
drove through without paying, right
under Pegs nose.
She did not call augrily at them, as
she would have done week before.
She turned about in the doorway and
put her hands over her face.
Some one upstairs tossed and moanel,
and child's voice screamed for water.
She let her hands fall, and ran up as
fast as she could.
The beautiful day had been good to
her sick ones, but what had it brought
to herr What had the doctor been say.
ing? That the invalids positively must
have beef tea and chickens, grapes and
oranges.
Peg clenchcd her little hard fists and
pressed her lips tightly together. Beef
tea and chickens, grapes and oranges.
It was not that they ought to have
these things-not that it would be we'll
for them to have them, but that they
must have them.
"They must, they must, they must
said poor Peg, under her breath.
She went to the window and glance1
quickly down the road in the gathering
dusk.
No one was coming, but to Pegs ex
cited fancy there was some one hurryinu
along, this way and that way, up and
down and around.
1t was the beauty Of Peach Bov-thai
little village down on the Eastern Shore
begging, Sup our way" Not for
bread; that any one who is hungry may
beg for, but for beef tea and chickens,
grapes and oranges!
A singular sick and giddy feeling came
over her. She knew she must do this.
God had punished her sin of pride,
surely.
81 must, musl!" muttered Peg. Then
she darted down the stairs, quick as
flash, and stood at the gate waiting for
her own and the Company's money.
John Wagner cried out: "We're
caught" and W:lI shouted: "Run it
FAST" but it was no use. Peg took the
money-hers and the Conpaly's.
The old clock inside the door struck
nine. What was that down the dim
roadway1 Another buggy.
She stood aud waited for her money
this time.
Why, there was double team com.
ing, and anotherl Was there party
somcwhere2 She had not heard.
One after another garages cam pour
ing in, the one horse wagons, two.horse
wagons, six-horse teams and eight-horse
teams; there were little limping ponies,
whose trotting day had long been over,
and carts and sulkies aud horsemen,
and mules, dohkeys and goats.
Peg dropped her money from her hand
to her apron, and stood there holding 1t
up. The lamps from a livery stable
carriage threw their light upon her face,
showing the great, wondering black
eyes and the kinks Of the brown hair.
Some laughed softly as they jIngle1
the toll into the apron; some r5proaciel
her for sitting up IS late to catch party;
some declared vehemently that they
weren't going to pay at this time ia the
night, but they paid just the same.
One voice-an old mau's-near the end
of the cavalcade cried out triumphqntly,
"By Georgel' aud the last of the train
passed through.
"Did you catch 'em, Pegl'
Thin aud weak came the voice from
the bed, with just tremor Of humor in
it. PEI looked at him. She could see
that he was much better.
Peg held open her apron SO that he