The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1893-11-04

crept slowly up the road. Fl:ful
gusts played with the thin cxs that
struggled over his collar and pierced
his threadbare sarments, winie ,"e
rair moistened his Spectacles so
! that his faded old eyes could scarcely
see the path. But old Parson Wade
seemed to heed neither wind nor
rain, but with head bowed low, stag
gered on in the binding storm Il
passers by noticed the desolate figure
it was only to clasp their bundles
tighter, button their coats closer, and
hurry past, leaving him soon forgot
| ten
The news Of his dismissal had
come to Parson Wade with cruel
suddenness. and only by degrees
did he recover from his half d I'D
condition. Over and over in mechaa
ical fashion he repeated Mr. Hicks
words: There's some that's tired of
old fashioned doctrines and wish
younger preacher, A progressive
age, is that we're Twin in. They were
tired OF him then; that was what it
all meant, and there was no longer
any use for him in the world 1t
would be SO always, now; nobody
would care for him, or look to him
for aid. And the girl5-his daughters
what would they say whel they
heard OF it? how would they receive
this news? With bitter reproaches,
with singing words he knew and
the thought sent shudder through
him. Yes it would make things
worse for him at home, and things
were sorry enough there at best.
All through the dreary years since
his wlte's death the old man had
been under the rule oftwo unmarried
daughters, who made no effort to
conceal the fact that their old father
WAS an uncomfortable burden on
their hands. They allowed him
shelter and food to avoid town
gossip, and added his meager salary
t. the comfortable little income
that they gained by teaching. But
! by continued taunts, they succeeded
in making his whole lie sad and
uncomfortable. Yet Parson Wade
always expected that some day he
would come home TO fad kind
welcome and loving words from
them. They're Mary's children, he
would say to himself Surely, they
must care a little for their old father.
But this dreary November night the
old comfortable assurance was no
longer his. In the bitterness OF this
new pain he gave up all hope that
he could ever be wanted anywhere.
With these thoughts in his mind
The old man stumbled on, and at
last turned in at the gate and reached
the hou that he called home. He
stepped out of the cold and gloom
OF the night into the warmth and
cheer OF the cozy little hall. He
paused for moment, and held his
thin chilled fingers over the register.
The grateful warmth stole in upon
his benumbed senses, and despite his
sorrow he felt a thrill of pleasure.
Then, as he looked up, it seemed
for an instant as if he were waking
from painful dream for there in
the doorway stood winsome little
maiden who eyed him with childish
curiosity The old man was passion
ately fond of children and his faded
eyes grew wistiul, as he said in
quivering tones: Come and see me
little one.
There was little ir the gaunt old
man, with his stocping shoulders,
thin, specialized face and shabby,
scanty, i'll fitting garments, to
attract a child. But she started to-
ward him and was almost in his arms
when sharp voice cried. Father
Wade what right have you to touch