Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1892-11-11


heighten the enjoyment within, where
a shaded lamp gave out its serene glow,
and the pictured folds of an ancient
Chinese screen shut all possible and i'm
possible draughts away from the ruddy
ireside.
Doctor Fengrove sat on one side, with
the newspaper in his lap; Mrs. Fengrove
sat on the other, TRANQUILITY occupied in
darning stockings, while chubby year
old lay asleep in its crib, just where the
freight touched its curls with Aeeting
glimpses of gold.
"Well," said the doctor, letting the
newspaper slip down to the floor, "this
is comfortable. l don't often ges an
evening at home since-Hello! What's
thatl Some one knocking at the kitchen
door"
Mrs. Fengrove rose and answered the
summons. Presently, she came back.
ats Milo York, DOCTOR" said she.
"Nlilo York, ehl" Doctor Fengrove's
couutenauce darkened as he spoke.
didn't I tell Milo York never to darken
my door againl"
"But he's hungry, my dear" pleaded
the gentle hearted woman, "and home
less. Mr.. EvartOn has turned him away,
and"
al don't blame Mr.. Evartonw tartly
interrupted her husband. ga miserable,
drunken loafer, who"
81 don't think he has been drinking
tonight, DOCTOR" said Mrs. Fengrove.
SHE looks pale and tired. He says he
has had nothing to eat since noon and
has no place to sleep"
"That's no affair Of minel" retorted
Doctor Fengrove, who, though free
hearted and Hospitality inclined in gen.
eral, had hardened his heart like flint
against this particular instance of hu-
manity.
Mrs. Fengrove still hesitated.
"What shall tell himl" asked she.
"Tell him to 90 about his business, !"
returned the doctor, energetically stir.
ring the fire until red stream of sparks
few up the chimney.
Mrs. Fengrove closed the door, aud
went back to the kitchen porch.
"Milo," said she, "my husband will
have nothing to say to you"
IL don't blame him much" dejectedly
responded Milo York, who was, indeed,
an unpromising-looking subject enough,
with his unkempt hair hanging over his
brow, his garments in rags and the end
of his nose chilled and purpled with the
bitter night air.
..But it's a dreadful night" softly
added Mrs. Fengrove. "Wait out here
the porch will shelter you from the
rain. The coffee-pot is on the stove yet,
and III bring you plate of bread and
cold meat and bowl of coffee"
"Thankee, ma'am," said the tramp,
gathering himself like heap OF rags
into the corner, to wait.
He drank his coffee and ate his supper
like a famished hound, and then Mrs.
Fengrove gave him a tattered old shawl,
long since cast aside by her husband.
stake this" she said, "and lie down
in the barn loft; there's plenty OF good,
sweet hay there. But be sure you're off
before the doctor comes out in the
morning"
"Thankee, ma'am," again uttered the
man; and he disappeared like shadow
into the bowling tempest.
.sWhere have you been all this timer
suspiciously queried the doctor, as his
wife came into the softly illuminated
arch of the Chinese screen again. Mrs.
Fengrove turned scarlet under his pene
trating glance.
"I-I only gave Milo little--somc-
thing to eat and drink, !" she faltere1.
ssYcu know the Good Book says: Turn
not away thy face from any poor mani