The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-09-10

the coming of the great day" And
still the tired and flushed mistress OF
the kitchen went.on with her mixing
and tasting and baking.
The low, sulleu line OF clouds became
more menacing, and crept on until they
had masked the entire sky. The wind
grew strong, and was soon filled with
the fine particles Of swirling snow. But
Mrs. Barten needed not; time was too
precious.
Its growing dark she grumbled, as
she slid more pans into the oven;
Days are pesky short this time O
year"
It was only when fierce gust Of wind
hurled cloud OF snow against the win
dow that she looked up.
"For heavens sakeh she exclaimed.
cts showing, n I'll lay my life them
drafted children's out it!
Hurrying to the door, she called
sohrilly:
"Bob! Liza! March your boots in
here quicker'n lightningW
Receiving no reply she muttered, an
upstairs, rummagin' most likely.
Seems with all my work they might
quit their play for awhile"
But when a sharp call up the stairs
failed to elicit response, she began to
look anxious. Throwing shawl over
head, she went out into the yard. The
snow was now Willing past in binding
sheets and the keen wind cut one like a
knife. Already white drifts were form.
| ing in the fence corners and sheltered
places. Objects dozen yards away
were becoming indistinct.
A thorough search OF the yard failed
to show any trace OF the children, and
she returned to the house to decide on
her next move. She could not determ-
inc the direction the childish feet had
taken, and, once out OF sight OF the
house, she knew there was little proba-
bility OF their finding their way back by
themselves. There was no danger OF
their being lost unless they wandered
away from the village, but Liza had
scarcely recovered from the measles.
and she had all mothers horror Of
wet feet and colds.
A smell OF burning bread drew her
attention to the stove. When she re-
turned to the door she saw the bent
figure coming up the path. A moment
later and the old woman stood before
her, but now the ragged shawl was
closely wrapped around one child,
while another chung to her skifts, sob
bling bitterly. The strangers face was
full OF a wistful tenderness, but Mrs.
Barton did not see it. Assured OF the
children's safety, her feelings under
went quick change. Her child in the
arms Of dreaded "furriner" In Il
moment she had hurried the little ones
TO the fire and was removing their
outer garments. What contamination
and disease might not Turk in the
ragged shawl and draggled skirts
She was aroused from her reflections
by the entrance of her husband.
"More wet feet, ehl' he said, as he
drew chair TO the stove.
callers wet feet when there's any,
thing to wet IN in, she returned. Then
after pause she added: "You 60 tell
the old woman she can come in TO the
fire. Beggars an young 'uns are
enough to make folks lose their wits"
81 passed an old woman outside the
gate" he said, as he took his pipe from
the shelf and began to fill it. III it's
her you mean sha's half way down the
street before this"
"Then I'm shet'o that trial, she said
in a relieved tone. "Some Of the
neighbors will be sure'n take her in"
All night long and the next day and
night the snow whirled and drifted
about the village. Then the sun came
out, and the men and boys took their
teams and shovels and began to dig
communications between the houses.
AS the paths became clear, one neigh
Dor after another sailed forth to gossip
over the events of the storm.
At length some one mentioned the
| Old beggar woman, and then it was
| learned that no,one know OF her where
abouts. Nearly all had seen her, and
most OF them confessed that they had
sent her away with FLEA in her bon
not"
One man thought she went toward
the Freeman house. This was desert
cd building Just outside the village.
Without hesitation the men took their
shovels and began to dig vigorously in
that direction. And Mrs. Barten work
ed with the foremost.
Lucky there's fireplace and plenty
OF fuel in the old house" said one.
"The old lady can keep warm; but l
guess she'll be mighty hungry"
When they reached the house there
was no sign Of its being occupied.
"She amt here" said the man who
had spoken before, as he threw open
the door.
But he was mistaken; they found her
inside. She was dead.