Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1893-08-18
HOW CASSIE SAVED THE SPOONS.


Down in the milking yard of the
Bostwick farm two young girls were
milking and talking cheerily. The
autumn evening was closing over
them and already in the shadows of
the barn it was quite dark.
The girls were Rose and Cassie Bost-
wick, and their pleasant chatter fol
lowed their parents upon n journey
they had that morning undertaken.
They were also specuIating as to when
their brother, who had driven them
TO the station twenty miles distant,
would return. They were bright, ca
pable girls with little timidity about
them, so that the fact that they were
comparatively alone upon an isolated
farm did not trouble them much. Es-
peciaIly was this the case with Cas-
sic, the younger Of the two. Self-re-
liant and full Of resource, she would
have laughed TO scorn any one sug
gesting the thought Of fear. She
was big and strong. and to her life
was grand frolic, and her sixteen
years had been one unbroken good
time"
At the house their younger sister,
Florence, was preparing the supper
and entertaining the baby a boy
Of three, who between the falling Of
evening and the pangs Of hunger was
growing sleepy and low-spirited.
Out from the Kitchens open door
appetiziug odors of coffee and frying
ham stole to greet the two girls as
they came toward the house with
their brimming pals of frothy milk.
1T smells good, said Cassie "and
I'M hungry as tramp"
"Oh, Cassie, why did you say that?
I've just been trying not to think
about tramps. I.always feel creepy
when I'm about the barn after dark
anyway, and now
well, my saying that won't bring
any along"
They are positively the only things
in the world that am afraid Of.
well, then, I'm not afraid Of them.
And suppose one should come along,
surely three great, stout girls ought
to be able to take care Of themselves. "
"Oh, Cassie dear, please stop talk
ing about them. | feel rs if one were
stepping on my heels. Let's run.
And spill the milk? Not much!
The kitchen looked 50 bright and
CHEEKY IS they entered it, that Rose
seemed to leave her fears outside
with the duskiness, and 10y the time
she had strained the milk and put it
away she had forgotten that tramps
existed.
Cassie had gone up stairs TO make
some needed changes in her toilet,
the baby had reused from his tired
nap, and was taking rather mourn
ful interest in the preparations for
supper, when Rose, who had just
stopped to ask him whether he would
have honey or preserves, heard a
stealthy step upon the porch. a mo
ment later. the door was pushed slow
" open and a man walked in.
Good evening, ladies. Is your pa
at home?''
Mo" faltered Rose, trying to
settle to her own satisfaction wheth-
er this dirty looking stranger might
not be some new neighbor who had
come on legitimate business or wheth-
er he was her one horror-a tramp.
ANY of your big brothers in?
with rather a jocular manner.
"N-no, sir.
And don't see any bulldog loaf
ing round, lie added.
"Our dord, he is dead, explained
the baby, solemnly.
We'll, that's a good thing. VIII
the old gentleman be in soon?'
IL don't know-you-I-I hope
so. Is there any message you would
like to leave for him?'
Before the man could answer, the
boys voice was again heard.
NV faYer he's dorm orr.
where's he gone, sonny
Hes dorm on the tars SOS my
mover-and my brewer he putted
VEN on-and he won't be home til
I'm asleep-and he's doin' to brin
NE a drum and put it in my bed.
ooh, how Rose longed to shake the
babyy
We'll. then, ladies, since you are
likely to be alone. think I'll stay
and keep you company, and since
YOU press me to, l will stay to tea
and spend the evening. DON 90 tc
any extra work for me, though In
rather hungry, so you may dish uE
the ham at once, my dear. This tc
poor Florence, who had shrunk al
most into invisibility behind the stove
pipe. and who seemed glued 10 the
spot. I've usually very fair appe
tite and am sure | will relish it.
He tossed his hat down beside the
chair which he drew up to the table
With the light falling full upon hi:
/ IT,. ;-o1an+ faca Rose knew thai