The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-04-18
some eggs. They're 90 cents dog.

~
en-"
Ishook my head and fastened on Glanc-
inc hack. how low the sun was in the skyi
How fast it was sinking toward the black
cloud close to the horizon! There was
house beyond. Perhaps some one would
take me to CRANKY. Perhaps they would
take me in. But I only had centsl
could not apply as beggar
The house was large one and stood
back from the road. l must find out the
distance had before me. Twas just OPEN
ing the gate, when down the path rushed
a great black dog, barking and growing
and showing his teeth. l had a peculiar
horror Of strange dogs, but even in my ter
ror waited for some one to call him off
and speak to me. No one came, and the
dog grew more and more furious.
Onward I pressed, faster and faster.
Mercifully the dog did not follow, but the
sun and the black cloud had met. Unjust
make haste. was carrying my dress bun
die by the string that tied it. The string
broke, and the shining silver gray lengths
unrolled in the dust gathered them up
as I could, not stopping to fold them. My
new boots were torture. l tore them OFF
and ran, ran ran, my feet throbbing In
their thin stockings.
There were trees now on each side, pines
and hemlocks darkening the road. l drop
ped one of my boots and had to grope in
the dusk to find it. Then I checked my
steps and tried to walk with an air of conf
dent security. A tall man was standing
waiting in the middle of the road. He
came forward and scanned me from head
to foot. I saw him dimly in the woodland
shadows. He had black beard and
long, white strip like healing plaster,
across one cheek. Not one word was spo-
ken, but my heart stood still while my feet
moved on. ooh, help me to walk faster,
faster,' prayed.
The woods came to an end TWAS 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
to the right or the left? Should I go
wrong how could I turn backS had only
cents! Rather than beg for my lodging
I thought I would sit down in the field
and wait for the morning.
Just then heard the low sound of thun-
der I started forward desperately down
the right hand road. There were sharp
stones in the road, and was Sin my stock
ing feet, but I pushed on despite the
bruises.
At last I saw light and another and
another. Oh, what joy! was surely com
ing to village. Brushing as best could
my torn and earth stained stockings,
pulled by main force my boots upon my
swollen feet.
There was one old fashioned house light
and friendly it looked! I went up the stone
tb111,,pod with tho old hraGa
knocker.
In an instant up flew the window above,
and an old man in shirt sleeves and white
cap put out his head.
tsWhat do you want7" he asked In bel
hgerent tone.
ri want to know where Mr.. John Prem
tees farm ia, ;" said unresentfully. "I'm
stranger"
''Well, we don't want you here! You'd
better go off, Go off, curse youl'' he growl-
ed ''Go off, go OFF,
''Hush, don't! It's grill Pray, stopl"
pleaded soft voice behind him.
IT won't STOP" he shouted. "Of with
you'll Off, 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.
was, trusted, in CRANKY. But in
what direction was the Prentice farm?
I opened my sunshade and went on in
the shower.
There was knot Of men gathered around
asmall building. 1t was brightly lighted,
and the sign "Postoffce" was over the
door, A thought came to me. Roger had
said that there was a good postmaster at
CRANKY named Virgins and that he had
pretty daughter named Winona. I took
courage and went in.
els this Mr. Wigginsf" I asked Of a
pleasant faced man who had charge. And
is Miss Winona at homer"
"Winony? Yes" he said, with half
wondering gaze, and he directed me to his
house but short distance away.
Winona came to the door. She was pref
ty, but when she took me in and listened
to my tale with eager sympathy she SEEM
ed to me angelic. She thought the short
space of time in which I had comprised
the distance from Browns Junction mar
velous. She had no doubt that the tall
man III the road-perhaps as innocent as
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 half mile away, but Rogers brother
James lived only few steps distant.
She went with me to their door. How
kind was their welcomed How blessed it
seemed to sit quietly in chair, and to
find myself with friends! I lay at night
on the soft, white bed and felt SO grateful
that a roof was over me. The wild wind
beat flood of rain against the windows.
The black cloud had burst in fierce
storm. But / was sheltered, sheltered,
sheltered!
The next morning was with Rosy, and
all my troubles were over, but had learn
ed lesson of sympathy. I could pity the
homeless am sorry for tramps.-Mar-
ian Douglas in ST. Louis Republic.