The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1895-11-16

last night at home. aud with strange
recklessness she began TO Oil tho stove
as she used TO do in better days.
"ltll get mo good an warm" sho
said, still talking to herIelf, as lonely
people do, "au' Ill 90 to bed early.
It's cornin' on to Storm"
Tho snow clicked faster and faster
against the window, and she sat alone
thinking in the dark.
There's lots o. folks love" sho said
cnce. They'd DO sorry amt got no.
body to come, an no supper tho night
aiOre Thanksgivin'. I'm dreadful glad
they don't kuow." Aud sho drew u
little nearer to the fire, and laid her
head back drowsily in the old rocking.
chair.
It seemed only a moment boioro
there was loud knocking, aud some.
body litlad tho.lntch Of tho door. The
fire shona brightly through tho front
OF the old stove aud made little light
10 tho room, but Mary Ann Robb walked
up frightened and bewildered.
"Who's there2" she called, as aho
found her cruICh and went TO the door.
She was conscious Of only ono great
tear. They've come 10 take mo to the
poorhouso!" she said, and burst into
tears,
There was a tall man, not John Man.
der, who seemed to ill tho narrow door.
way.
"ComO, lot mo I'M" no said rayly.
TITS cold night. You didn't expect
me, did you, Mother RObb?'
Dear mel What Is III" sho ial.
tered, stepping back as no came in and
dropping her crntch. "Bo dreamin'?
was a.droamin' about Oh, thoral
What was a'sayin'2 'rain't truol MOL
Ivo made somo kind OF mistake"
Yes, aud this WIS tho man who kept
tho poorhouso and shO would go with.
out complaint; they might have given
her notice, but sho must not irot.
"sit down, sir" sho SAID turning to.
ward him with touching patience.
"You'Il have to give mo littlo timO. II
I'd been notified l wouldn't have kept
you waiting minute this cold night"
1t was not tho keeper. Tho man by
the dooE took one step forward aud put
his arm around her and kissed her.
"M hat are yon talking about2" said
John Harris. You amt goin' to make
mo icol like a slrangor2 I've como all
the way from Dakota 10 spend Thanks.
pivin'. There's all sorts o things ont
bore in tho wagon, nn' man to help get
ON in why--dOn't You cry 80, Mother
RObb. l thought you'd have great
laugh II como aud surprised you.
Don't you remember said lHould2"
1t was John Harris, indeed. Tho poor
soul could say nothing, Sho folt now
rs II hOr heart wGs going to break with
Joy. lie lett hOr In tho rocking chair
aud came aud went In his old, bonny
way, bringing in his StosO OF gifts aud
provisions. 1t was bottor than any
dream. lls laughed and talked and
went out 10 sent away tho man to bring
wugoniul OF wood from John Man.
doris, and camo in himself ladon with
pieces OF the nearest iOuco 10 keep tho
irO going IN tho meantime. They must
cook tho steak for supper right AWAY (;
thOy must and tho package OF ten
among all tho other bundlOB; they must
got good ilros stnrtOd Ia both tho bod.
rooms Why, Mother ltobb didn't soon
to DO ready for company irom'out wUsl !
Tho great, cheerful follow hurried about
tho tiny house, aud tho little old woman
limpnd alter him, forgetting everything
but hospitality. Had not sho Il houao
for John to come tot WcrO not hor old
chairs aud tables IN thclr places still ?
And ho remembered everything, aud
kissed her ~ they OLood before tho lrO
~ " sho wcro girl.
lie Ind found plenty Of hard tlmo1,
but luck had como At last. lilo bad