The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-03-19
HER FAITH SHAKEN,
The Extraordinary Nerve Displayed by m
Old Soldier.

Old Soldier.
She IS n bride, sweet tempered, sympa-
thotic and with n boundless faith in I'm
man nature. She lives in u pretty little
home in West End avenue-no ,nntter
what the number Is. Before her marriage
and indeed ever sinco-sho has boon
active in works Of charity and good will.
and long ngo she made a resolve that
when She came to have homo OF her own
no needy man should DO turned from her
door empty handed,
But already sho has made mental res
ervation. She is disposed now to do her
almsgivinG through organized channels of
charity rather than ut tho front door or
In tho streets. And this is how her child
like faith WAS shattered
The snow had just stopped failing. 1t
lay six inches deep, white and glistcning
on the pavement of West End avenue.
when poor, furlorn fellow in tattcrcd
coat and lenky shoes came shutting
through tho drifts ana up tho steps that
led 20 the pretty bridal most. Hdr shook
tho foathcry flakes from nm old siouch hat
hcsitatcd moment, then touched the cleo.
trio bell and stood firm and croct, despite
his hoggarly ralmcnt, In the attitude of
attention.
Excuse Inc, miss" he said to tho maid
military salute, Pm an old soldier and
not used to begging, but If you would ask
your mistress IL sho hasn't an old pair of
shoes to spnre Tho snow comes clear
through the solcs of these.
Tho mniu left him standing thcre and
soon returned with half worn but sorv.
iccablo pair Of shoes, much better than
those ho wore. Tho old soldier took them
gratefully. He hesitatod and then said
with an air almost Characterization:
Miss, your blue eyes urc rs kind ms
they nro pretty, and that makes me bold
to ask if you couldn't perhaps find an old
coat triiio moro presentablo than these
rags nm woaring'
The maid was impressed "Hos well
spoken man, che said to her mistress as
she delivered tho second message, land
I'm thinking hos seen better times"
~ scrvicoabe coat was found The
| brides good husband only glanced over
| his newspaper to sec thnt il wasn't his
newest cutnway that was to DO sacrificed
| He smiled. llo was rather fond of humor.
| ing the BRIDES little charitable whims.
! The mnid delivered tho coat and was soon
| up stairs again, wearing look of unut
| ternblo surprise
And what Is 1t he wants now, Max
| gie;' said tho mistress
Wen, ma am, never saw the likes Of
| him for n boggar Io took the coat like
| he took the shoes, almost n-cryin, he was
| SO pleased and then he kind o. cholicd up
like, and ho says TO mo, Sure, miss, ia
Ike TO do somethiD for yez to show mo
gratitude is genuine, and If yez'l get me
the coal shovel Ill do yez "A good turn
| anyway by accnrin the snow off your
front pavement So got tho coal shovel
and gave 1t TO him, and he touched his
| hat again"
| lie Is no ordinary mcndicant, surely, -
said tho bride, His desire to give us
| something equivalent, even by his own
hard labor, proves him to DO worthy
| man Don't you think So, my doar!r And
she turned toward her moro worldly wise
| husband for his approval.
| But the worldly wise husband only
smiled us he glanced over the top of his
| newspaper again and said, Perhaps so,
my dear, but Maggie had better 90 down
and just see that he doesn't steal the coal
| shovel"
| Maggie went The wind whistlod ms she
opened the door. Tho snow still glistencd
| In the sunshine 1t was still six inches
deep on the level and drifting. 1t WINS
stu unbrokcn, save for the broad foot
| prints of tho old soldier headed toward tho
street corner. He had gone So had the
coal shovcl.-Now York Herald