The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-01-12


twisted to one side, IL hoary stubble of
nnshorn beard sprouting out upon his
chin, and little gray eyes sparkling
from under grizzlcd brows, as cold and
hard rs pools of frozen water.
'Snowing?" he repeated, sharply.
" should think so! Can't see three
inches afore ones nose. Piled up
everywhere in drifts And cold as
Nova Zcmbla."
lie shook the snow from his shout
dcrs as he spoke, and settled down
into Il cushioned casy-chair where the
hrelight seemed ~ once to enfold him
as with Il mantle of warmth and bright
ness.
"oh, dear" says Mrs Trappc,
dolorously.
Whats the matter now?" ncidly de-
manded her better half. "Ain't there
wood enough fetched? Hasn't the roof
been ncw-shin lied? And ain't zoe snug
cnough?r
Yes" said Mrs. Trappc. ut amt
that Timothy. ] was wondering if
poor Bcssy had wood enough to warm
her this cold night"
Timothy's lignum-vitD face contract
cd with Il sort of involuntary spasm.
but he recovered himself with ;erl1
Always a-grumblin' about some
thing" said he. 81 never yet see
woman as was contcntcd"
Yes, bat if Bessy-"
''Bcssy's all right" said Timothy,
magistcrially. And if she wasn't, it
'u'd be her own fault, a-runnin' off
with that there singin'-teachcr. Them
as makes thcir bed must expect to lie
on It. But that's all past, and there is
no call for you TO grnmblc now. I've
writ to her to come home hain't l?
I've sent money to pay her way; and
i can't do no more than that, can I?'
Mrs. Trappc, who was Il lady Of con
'stitutionally low spirits, shifted faint
negative.
Then why can't you hold your
tonguc?" demanded Mr.. Trappc.
"Fetch Il pitcher OF cider and seine o.
them doughnuts. and let's be comfort
able"
But Mr.. Trappc had hardly bitten Il
piece out OF the first crisp and fragrant
doughnut before there came IL f;lint
knock ut the door.
THERE" said Mr.. Trappc. who's
that? 1t amt Il night for nobody to he
out in"
Grumbling under his breath, he
crossed the narrow entry and laborious-
~ unboltcd the front door, with diff
Guilty opening il Il few inches against
the drift of SNOW already piled up in its
angle.
"Wcll." said Mr.. Trappc, surlily.
"llcllo, | say, Who's therc?"
At first, he could perceive nothing
but the white, binding wilderness of
snow which flied the stormy night air,
but rs his eyes became accustomed to
the darkness he saw child's figure,
wrapped in Il coarse shawl, with hair
blowing over its eyes.
"If you please, SIR" began the little
creature, whose eyes were about on Il
level with the lower waist-button
of Timothy's peppcrand-sat-colo
waistcoat.
mo-" said Timothy, brusqucly. I'VE
hain't nothin for beggars!"
"But, please, sir, my mother"
"Oh!" snarled Timothy, screwinS up
his eyes to gain further outlook into
the darkness. Your mother is there,
too, is she? Then it's clear case o.
tramps! P'r'aps you father is there and
your uncle and Il few more of the fam
lily. No, suy!"
But if you would tell me, sir" fall
tered the child, instinctively retreating
before the harsh sound of Timothy
Trappc's unmelodious voice.
81 won't tell you nothn'." re torted
Timothy, irately. Clear ont. this in
slant, or III set the dogs on ye."
And, withou: waiting for reply, he
closed the door again, sliding the bolts
into their rusty sockets with Il grunt OF
satisfaction.
mo, you dontv' said Timothy to
himself. 81 never yet have harbored
any of them tramps, and never mean
to-
He came back to the room where the
lamp bcamed cheerful welcome, and
the black log was just breaking into Il
fresh bl axe, and rcseated himself, with
the air of one who has done a laudable
thing.
"Who was it?" said Mrs Trappe.
querulously.
"a bcggar."
"Man or woman?"
Mary one nor t. other" answered
her husband. scntentiously. at were
little girl"
"My paticnce." said Mrs. Trappe,
Strengthening herself up. "And you've
sent little girl away in all this storm?"
'Of course l have" snarled Timothy.
"Sent her away? Why shouldn't /?
This amt free tavern for every beg.
gar, is it?'
'"Timothy,' said his wife, reused into
actual animation Mt last II do believe
when the Lord made you lie put
lump Of granite into the place where
your heart ought to ha' been! My,
anybody might freeze to death, such
NIGHT nc tbiSt"