Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1892-10-22
HOW WAS ONE TO KN0W2

It had been Q dismal, wet day, and
night fell early on the low, foggy coun-
try lying between Scranton and Pardy-
willie crossroads An old man and a
girl of about sixteen years of age We're
struggling alone through the darkness,
hrSpattcd with mud and almost worn
ont with fatigue.
Its a long seven mile, reckon -eh,
NJ - said the old man as he stopped
to r"~t for moment on his oakcn staff
the girl gave him her arm one" more
''lnn must let me help You, said She.
owe are not halfway there vet.
".Jrhn couldn't ha' got my letter, v
fai.i tn" old man, or he'd ha been ut
tine depot with Il wagon. ltll be s
hlr', blow to John when he finds out
tnr Did place is sold and gone, but how
WI on" to know? We've had lots of
ha urk. Myru," he added, plaIntiy'ly.
81 hope he won't blame me, although if
] h;td known we might ha pulIcI
through"
"'Futhcr,' said Myra, "you did al
th1; could he done. If Mr.. Enwick
hau lived Won would not have had tc
pa he note, for he was an honest man.
1t an act of Providence and will come
on, ,t,i right in the end. "
.-4r.,, Myra; | don't want to be goln'
acii Providence, but John had his
E.H,. cot SO on the old place, and now
il ,r.,n". How was one to know that
Mir Enwirk would ha' been killed so
su,din'? You hev those minin certiti-
ca rs, ! spose, Myra 2" said the old
mao after long silence.
''l'es," said Myra, Il put them
away in our buudle.
=. IN glad o that, Myra, for though
thvy amt worth nothin' now, they II
lini o remind me when | feel like com
planin' that Brother Enwick would ha
saved us if he could.
The roadway, filled with miry chuck
holes and lined on either side with
stones and brambly bushes, became al
most impossible. The old mans
breath came faster and faster Myra
supported him now all the while. He
had long since stopped talking, and
Myra knew that it would onl y exhaust
him more and so kept silent. The dark
moss deepened until at last all objects
were undiscernible, except that here
and there the light from the kitchen
window of some farmhouse struggled
out into the foggy night, 1t was late
when they stood at Johns door and
knocked for admission. The inmates
had retired and it took some time to
arouse them.
who's there?" roared rough voice
from the interior.
At the answer there We're some impre-
cations in an undertone, whether at the
darkness, the cat or the visitors is hard
to tell but finally the key turned and
John stood in the doorway with a candle
in his hand.
"How in thunder did you get here
such night as this?" was his affection
ate welcome.
I'VE walked!" answered Myra, for
the old man had sunk into a chair al
most too exhausted to speak
"lIowdy, john he murm1ued; "you
didn't get my letter, s'pose?"
II got it, said John, "but you didn't
think me sech d fool as to drive to town
through Sech roads as this, did ye?"
II meant nothin, John; we was able
10 walk" and the old man raised his
weary head and tried to look cheerful,
so the old place is gone, said the
son in Il low voice,
.eS. John; Providence sees fit to
mai, ue poor in my old days and we've
ro.ue 10 live with you. Myra'll be
great he p and chore around.
''i'royidcnce, did you say? ~ retortel
7o'n, 1t was nothing but blasted
..,i h;,,s. lou might ha' known
t'a1 'i%a that note, and rs for
90 What usc viii she he round here
j Ike to know? But hang mp your
f .t.. it's late and We We days Wpli
3. ui us tu-morror. Nou can s'c. p
gov, l"'t bet ard Myr, caH crawl n
.n,A t., i;.rt irI,' a1d without a
3 mora h. u@h"rrd thrn w,a"y and
p. ....s so th,ir miYrHpir no.,s.
.... .a at '';r old ; "a r', Il ..,'p
H.i.. .vn'-a,"rN" D. 80. ."....