Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1891-09-08
MISCELLANEOUS.
The Sweet Face.

windows of Mrs. 0xgate's old brown farm
house hung out their cheery signals behind the
| fringed cotton curtains and when the Kitchen
| door opened you could see the blazing logs,
the figures coming and going, like miniature
magic-lant6rn.
| 1t was Dora Oxgate that opened it, and
came fitting out to the well, with scarlet
shawl over her head. AS her light feet pat
tered over the carpet of autumn leaves in the
pathway she sang snatch of some good old
fashioned hymn.
My goodness alive! What's thata"
For, as the words trillcd from her tongue, a
tall, dark figure had risen from the low bench
under the apple tree, whose boughs oycrhuug
the we'll.
"Don't be alarmed" said deep, sweet con-
tralto. with a scornful intonatIon in its sound.
TITS only me, Dora"
"Joanna Elfield1"
"Yes, Joanna Elaeld What then2 Have
fallen SO low that 1 am no longer worthy to
sit beneath the old apple treei If SO, tell me
at once and I'll quit"
| "You know didn't mean that, Joanna"
q It's hard to tell what people mean or don't
mean now-a-days," said Joanna, picking at
the fringe of her frayed rag of a shawl. al
/ was llIGusH / huulGd u uIluk OI HuIeT. 80 i
came to the old we'll"
"Joanna," said Dora, hesitatingly, "are
you hungry"
"Hungry? No. There's sort of craving,
though, on my stomach which is next to it, /
suppose"
"Would you like something to eata"
| az don't beg"
g Wait minute, Joanna"
Like an arrow Dora Oxgate sped back into
the house. where her mother was just setting
the teapot on the table. Fresh baked waftles
steamed on one side; hot biscuits were piled in
drifts of snow on the other.
For Mrs. Deacon Peabody and her daughter
Comfort were to come to tea and Mrs. Oxgate
was housekeeper to be excelled by none.
"Come, Dora, qnick, with that water said
Mrs. oxgate. "and shut the door"
"Mother," said Dora, speaking In slightly
embarrassed tone, Joanna Elheld is out by
the well She is cold and hungry, and"
Mrs. oxgate's face hardened into lines OF
stone. Miss Comfort Peabody drew her skirts
tight around her, with an involuntary move.
ment, and Mrs. Peabody looked hard into the
bowl of the tea-cup.
"Then let her stay cold and hungry. Joanna
Elfeld is no associate for either you or me,
Dora! She ran away from home, and acted
with common strolling play-actors-she has
sung at low concerts instead of keeping that
fine voice of hers for the temple of the Lord,
and people do say that she has taken to drink
| ing! And you expect me to open my doors to
such as her!"
| But, mama" faltered Dora, half affrighted
| by her own boldness, don't you remember tI.at
he came to call not the righteous, but sinners
to repentance?"
"How dare you quote the Scriptures to me7'
cried Mrs. Oxgate, her brow cloudlng darkly.
" Bring in that pail of water at once, and let
us have no moro discussion"
| Thus rebuffed Theodore O1gate crept back
again into the frosty twilight, detected and
empty-handed.
"Ah," said Joanna Elhcld, al thought how
it would be. Eyerybody's doors arc shut
against me-"
"Is it true, Joanna ?" whispered Dora, com
ing close up to her.
sis what true ?"
"Tbat you drink ?"
"Of course it's true. You would drink Il
you were as am! There are times when you
could sell your soul for a chance to forget !
And that chance is only to be found in driDkl'
" Oh Joanna, am so sorry for you"
"sorry Say that again. lass People hay,
mostly left off being sorry for me-"
but listen, Joanna. Won't you try to d.
different p
81 am not SO bad as some folks think me
except for the craving for drink Ihaye beeI
nothing worse than wild and wilIfuI. onl,
when girl once gets on the down hin, ever,
man or woman thinks 1t a duty to give her an
other push"
Then will you try to retrieve your oil
!" How can II What Is there left for me 2''
"Your superb voice, Joannai"
" You would have me sing myself respects
bility, eh! And in the meantime shoul,
, starve."
you need not starve, joanna Here!"
Quick as lightning she drew a small gol
chain, with a gold locket shaped like heai
J dangling at it's end, from her neck.
Dear Joanna, take this. tits worth money
! Sell it, and use the money for your needs"
care you in earnest, Dora ~
"of course am- Hushl mother Is calling
, me. must co."
5 ''God bless you for this,r said Joanna, ,husk
lily. "And, Dora-one word more ! let me kis
: you, Just once"
BY way Of an answer Theodorn oxgate thre1
her arms around the tail girls neck and presse'
!, her soft red lips to the Others cold mouth
! And as she did so something sPiashed on he
] cheeks hot tear.