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

brakes Magd:He.
A strong breeze, sharp with the cold
suggestion OF coming winter, swept up.
from the bay and tossed the creaking
boughs OF the old trees that stood along
the roadside until they labored in the
wind like ships at sea. The last OF the
Jog was Just disappearing and curled
ileecily up from the woods and waters,
rolling away in great, sullen masses.
In the north long line OF snow
clouds were sluggishly moving forward.
There was something peculiar-almost
sinister-in their heavy, slow formation,
and the weather-wise fishermen of
shore watched them uneasily and be-
gan to draw in tackle and make prepIr'
atoms to seek harbor.
On the land the farmers shook their
heads and fastened to get the last OF
the pumpkins and apples under cover.
OF their own accord the cattle lett oil
grazing and sought the barnyards. Now
and then stragglers from some fright
ened flock OF wild geese flew toward the
south in anxious search OF their mated.
Near the end OF the one street OF the
little fishing hamlet was weather.
beaten wood.colored homestead OF one
story and loft, surrounded by fence
almost as old as the house itself; but as
one passed through the gateway and up
the grass-grown walk into the smoke
painted kitchen the poverty OF the out
side surroundings was forgotten in con-
temptation OF the profusion inside.
Al least this seemed to be the case
with the old woman who hobbled pain
fully up the path to the half open
kitchen door. There she stoppedir-
resolutely; but the savory smell OF
cooking was irresistible, and she
pressed slowly forward into the low
doorway. The kitchen was fragrant
with the odors OF the Saturdays bak.
ing; from the stove at the far end OF
the far end OF the long room came
cheerful Missing and spluttering, and
over it woman bent in impatient sus-
Her back was toward the door, and
she did not notice the great, hungry
eyes that we're fastened on the loaves OF
bread and the pies aud cakes and cook
les that loaded the pine table.
Such profusion made the wistful eyes
CLEAN and the withered form tremble
with eagerness. But she did not ven
ture to cross the threshold.
On the floor two children were play
ing. They had watched the woman's
approach with childish curiosity. The
Youngest rose to his feet and toddled
toward her. After gazing at her few
moments with his big, wondering eyes,
he held up the cake that he had been
niobting. She hesitated, then took it,
and ate greedily.
The boy laughed and went to get an
other. But at this moment Mrs. Barten
looked up. Her face was flushed with
heat and vexation; she was about to
speak sharply to the children when
she caught sight OF the bent figure in
the doorway and her wrath was turned.
OF all things she hated beggars the
most During the summer months
many Of them drifted up from the
neighboring seaports and proved con-
slant source OF loss and veXation to the
fishermen and farmers.
Mira. Barten had suffered with the
rest, and as she turned from the stove
her lips were drawn sharply over her
strong white teeth. She did not see the
wistful eyes and patient smile.
What she saw was covering beggar,
with some outlandish kind OF head
covering and ragged shawl closely
drawn about the slight form.
"Well?" she said, in sharp, interro-
gative tone. :,
The old woman shivered as though
something had struck her, but her face
remained perfectly blank.
"a furrinerw
Mrs. Barten sprang forward and drew
the children from SO dangerous pres,
ence, To her a foreigner seemed all
that was dangerous aud depraved.
A sudden sputter recalled her to the
stove, and by the time she was again at
leisure trace OF her naturally kindly
disposition had come to the surface.
Taking generous handful OF biscuits
and one OF the loaves OF bread, she re-
turned to tho door, But the old woman
had already passed the rickety gate,
and was hobbling slowly down the
street. Mrs. Barten looked after her
regretfully.
81 wish I'd a.given her suthin'," she
muttered, as she replaced the food on
the table; but, sakes alive" she con
tinued, briskly, after a moments
thought. "why sh'd feel sorry? Like
as not the old tramp was jest spying
round arter suthin' to steal. Most
likely she'll have dozen snacks gin
her before night. Here, you Bob'n
an Liza, come back to the house this
minute, and don't you go trapesin' out
againw
And with mind at rest and con
science satisfied, Mrs. ,Barten returned
to her compounds OF fragrant odors.
Slowly the afternoon wore away, the
pies and cakes and cookies disappeared
from the table, and were replaced by
pans OF crisp doughnuts and heavy
spherical loves OF brown bread, Will
raised lines encirclipg them; with plat
tiers OF juicy meats, Drowned to thu
critical point OF perfection, and Whit
turnip and scarlet cranberry. As thu
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