Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1894-05-07

came forward and scanned me from neao
10 foot saw him dimly In the woodland
shadows He had "a black beard and q
long, white strip like healing plaster,
across one check Not one word was spo-
ken, but my heart stood still while my feet
moved on. "Oh, help me 10 walk faster.
faster" prayed
The woods came 70 an end. IL was q lit-
tie lighter but the sun had set; clouds
were fast covering the sky, and night was
close at hand Then came what dreaded
most-the road divided. Should / turn
10 the right or the lefti Should. / go
wrong how could turn backi had only
8 cents Rather than beg for my lodging
i thought / would sit down In the field
and wait for the morning.
Just then heard the low sound Of thun-
der. started forward desperately down
the right hand road. There were sharp
stones In the road, and was "tn my stock
ing feet" but ] pushed ON despite the
bruises.
At last saw light and another and
another. Oh, what joyl was surely com
Ing 10 a village. Brushing as best i could
my torn and earth stained stockings,
pulled by main foroo my boots upon my
swollen feet.
There was one old fashioned house light
cd both up stairs and down. How cheerful
and friendly IL lookedl went up the stone
steps and thumped with the old brass
knocker
In an instant up few the window above,
and an old man In shirt sleeves and white
cap put out his head.
"What do you want" he asked In a bel
ligerent tone.
AZ want 10 know where Mr.. John Prem.
tees farm Is" said unresentfully "Pm
n stranger"
"Well, we don't want you herei You'd
better go off Go off, curse you'll" he growl-
ed $50 Off, go orr
"Hush, donti It's girli Pray, stop"
pleaded soft voice behind him.
81 won't stop" he shouted ION with
youi on" And down came the window
with a slam.
/ was overcome at last, and went out
OF the yard with falling tears into thick
sprinkle Of rain.
Twas, trusted, In CRANKY. But In
what direction was the Prentice farmi
opened my sunshade and went on In
the shower.
There was knot OF men gathered around
a small building. II was brightly lighted,
and the sign "Postofiioe" was over the
door. A thought came 20 me. Roger had
said that there was good postmaster al
CRANKY named Virgins and that he had
pretty daughter named Winona i took
courage and went in.
is this SIR. Wigginsi" asked of a
pleasant faced man who had charge "And
Is Miss Winona at homei"
"Winonyf Yes" he said, with halt
wondering gaze, and he directed me 10 his
house but short distance away.
Winona came TO the door. She was pret-
ty, but when she took me In and listened
10 my tale with eager sympathy she seem
ed TO me angelic She thought the short
space Of time In which had compassed
the distance from Browns Junction mar
velous. She had no doubt that the tall
man In the road-perhaps as innocent "a
myself-was "a fearful villain" but the
cross man In the window was "only old
Squire Butts In one Of his crazy fits" The
Prentice farm, where Rogers sister lived,
was a half mile away, but Rogers brother
James lived only few steps distant.
She went wittNIne to their door How
kind was their welcomed How blessed Il
seemed to sit quietly In q chair, and to
find myself with friendsl / lay at night
on the soft, white bed and felt so grateful
that roof was over me. The wild wind
beat food Of rain against the windows.
The black cloud had burst In a fierce
storm. But l was sheltered, sheltered,
sheltered
The next morning was with Rosy, and
all my troubles were over, but had learn
ed lesson Of sympathy. could pity the
homeless. i am sorry for tramps Mar
Ian Douglas In St Louis Republic