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

hIi! - III : away, Elsie Qe IT, tue
ugly old man will hurt YOU. With
th Sc words. Miss Harriet, the
Younger of the daughters. led away
the child, and Parson Wac vas
o"ce no-e alone. The looS OF ao-
horreuce and terror that stole over
the chllds face cut deep into the old
mans heart as his daughters cruel
words failed 10 do. A slight moan
escaped bis lips, but dreading a
fresh rebuke he choked back rising
sob and hobbled away into the dark
ness OF his own room.
Half an hour later the little house
hold gathered at the tea table. Miss
Wade, tall and stately, presided
with cold dignity, and opposite her
sat Miss Harriet, with little Elsie,
the daughter of a near neighbor, who
had left the child with the Wade
women for the afternoon. The
parson took his seat, and reverently
bowing his head, moved his lips in a
murmured prayer of thanks. in
stantly his daughters began clatter
OF liver and china, while in needlessly
loud tones they began to talk eayly
on some amusing and trifling subject.
This was disciplinary measure in
their eyes. We must break him OF
this absurd habit, they said to each
other in talking the matter over.
Come you've mumbled enough,
clied Miss Harriet. The toast is
getting cool
Little Este eyed the old ma
furtively during the opening ofth
meal, and fdgeted uneasily in her
chair. She was a timid child,
and Miss Wade's remark fingered in
her mem Dry.
VIII he. hurt me now? she whls'
pcred to Miss Harriet, after some
minutes.
Why, you poor child! Does he
trighten you? You'd better take
your plate and cup into the kitchen,
father. don't wonder the child is
frightened. You really are! uncauny
to night.
So Parson Wade was banished to
the kitchen, there to eat his bread and
drink his weak tea alone. He longed
for bit of meat for his supper and
little cream and sugar for his tea.
Oace-months before-he had made
bold to reach for the milk pitcher, but
was stopped by the words: Do you
think we can afford to provide you
with luxuries-you, who do not earn
clear tea evenP After that he did not
offend in this way again, but tonight he
watched, with almost a feeling Of envy
the sleek, well fed cat, as she Tapped
her brimmiag saucer of creamy milk.
Lucky cat There was always enough
food for her.
Ga his way upstairs while later,
Parson Wade passed the parlor door
and paused a moment to look in. The
fire was burning cheerily in the CRATE,
there was a cushioned chair before it,
and on the tab'e by the big lighted
lamp was the evening paper. The old
man hesitated. He WAS never allowed
in that room, he knew but the girls
he remembered. had gone to take Elsie
home, several doors away. And that
paper, he was sure, had long report
of the conference held the day before
in neighboring city. The temptation
was irresistible. He sat down in the
big eagv char and began to read. This
weary old Christian veteran, his years
of active service ended, yearned for
news OF the thousands of soldiers in
the thick of the fight, and rarely did a
paper or magazine enter his hands.
That the work he so loved was still
going on he felt sure; but in his mar
row, cramped hfe he loved for detailed
tidings of the progress Of the church.