Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1895-12-28


That's right" sad the man, sooth-
.pgly, trying not 10 show The surprise
which he felt. Better not turn loose
once you've put your hands to the
plough. Some Of EN- was sayin' 10 me
tins m0rn.n' they didn't know VIVA,
they'd do bout 4 school now you'd left
They said you certainly made the chill
Gren learn, whatever else you did" 1t
was fans, praise enough, but Anna
gIasped II eagerly
DO you really think l can succeed
II Try AGAIN." she asked simply.
I know you can he said. with a
mans decisiyeness. Now, if Is IN
your place. ne went on kindly, I'D
20 in the ladies' room there and rest UP
a bit. There amt many 'commodatons,
but its beUter'n OUT here
She followed him across the room
gratefully. "I'll tell you" he said as he
held he door open for her, "spose you
let me fetch a pitcher Of hot water from
the lunch stand over there. It'll do
you The most good in the world. My
wife says hot water beats al the patent
medicines goin'. What do you say?'
"Ch. thank you so much; you are very
kind" and there were tears in Anna s
eyes as she spoke. They were tears Of
repentance this time and they soltened
her
Tbs steam,ng water upon her face
and the back ci her neck refreshed her
beyond measure. and by the time she
had recoiled her heavy hair she felt
Ike a new person. The clouds had
driven On westward, and by the time
the brakeman came for her baggage
the sky was beautifully clear. The
great pra:r.es fairly cleaned and the
trees gl.stened with the sunlight on
their wet leaves. The whole vast plain
was one realm Cf beauty, as boundless
as nope. as full CT happy possibilities
Anna opened her window 10 drink in
the drafts Of pure ozone and felt the
rich blood of a new life quicken wltAin
her. Her way lay clear before her, FAIR
as the sky and lim.tless as he horizon.
The friendly brakeman was on nand 10
helm her off when the train stopped
I'm go:n' to SEN my little girl to school
to you" he said.
Il was quite dark when Anna got to
Mrs. Gaddy's, and she found the Old
woman taking her solitary supper in
the rMle kitchen. She hustled about
startled and disturbed by the girls sud
den appearance.
You amt met with no accident?'
she asked Sharply.
No" said Anna. Il changed my mind
about going, that is all, and I've come
back TO stay this tine # you will let
me, please, Mrs. Gaddy.
THAT'S as you're a m:nter," said the
old woman ungrac:ously. Your room 5
as YOU left It. Better go in there until
l can cook you up something ftt.n' TO
eat
81 should BE so glad # you would JUS,
let me sit here and share your supper,
please. Mrs. Gaddy." Anna said, taking
off her hat and cloak. She found q
plate and knife and fork on the shelf,
and sat down on the other side OF tine
deal table without waiting for the Ola
woman 10 answer. Mrs. G3ddy mad
4 vague suspicion that the girl was dart,
and scarce ate a m1rsel for wonder
ment
When the meal was over Anna turn
. ed Nd her sleeves and poured The water
from the steaming kettle into the d.sn
nam You mus. let me wash the dishes
fer YOU this evening, Mrs. Gaddy, i
Won don't mind she sad. OH see, l
am beginn.ng life over again, and it
viii remind me of when | was a little
cAld and mother used to tuck up my
sleeves and stand me UP in cA3,r De-
side her while she washed the dlsnes.
Now and them she would give me l-ttle
piece from the scald!ng water TO w-pe'
and it pleased me TO think l was help
Your mother dead?" asked Mrs.
Gaddy. -,
yes" said Anna. softly. Il am all
alone in the world
why didn't you tell me before.
honey. why didn't you?' And the old
woman pu. her arm about the girls
. shoulders and looked at her with tears
I'm her dim eyes. Seems Like I'd know
ed better how to a treated you if you d
a--old me-
( Shesat down by and by and got out
her knitting, watching Anna eagerly as
she went thinking Cf her own little girl,
a slim. peaked, puny thing, who died
when She was no higher than the table.
She told Anna about her after a while.
. dwelling on the meager "reminiscences
that made up all mat was left or her
now. Somehow you put me in mind
of her when yOu's talkin' bout helpin'
your ma. and I can't hep think!n' what
nv little gal mout a been TO me when
l see you git,in' 'roun' so pyeart.'
1t had not been hard to find the way
to one heart. Anna thought, as she went
F to sleep IN her old bed That night.
She surprised the blacksmith by an
early call for the key next morning,
and had the school room swept and a
fire burning long before it was time to
ring the frs. bell. Most Of the poor
/ little scared children who never under
stood why they had been sent home
the dav before. were on hand when
school opened, and before the week was
ont the desks were full.
"We'vs got a new teacher they said,
and Anna smiled gratefully INTO their
happy faces. -
you are gett,n' on better miss, fur
all the place amt fifth fur you, sad
the blacksmith. :,
81 was not fit for the place before,
Anna said.-Ph:ladelphia Times.
LITTLE MARY ANDERSON.
Int wi pr