Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1896-11-12

about as near my state then as l cal
tell it.
So / tramped all summer. l dit
not think much about Annie. / did
MT like to for good and sufficient reas
ons. BY September had got wa.
into Vermont, among the hills, anC
began to think / must work back to.
wards the city, when one day stop
ped at an old red farmhouse between
Tyson and Ludlow TO get some din
ner.
There was a little sort of stool
built out under the roof of the ell
part, and the kitchen door opened in
to it. There was a row OF brigh
milk-pans standing against the wall
to sun, and bunch or two OF hero'
hanging up by the door. A great
yellow cat ran away when 1t saw me
and eyed me from under bench in
tho woodshed. 1t was poor place
enough, but looked thrifty and COM
Portable. l knocked, and young
woman opened the door directly.
never saw such a steady face; heI
eyes we're brown, and looked straight
al you like a robins; her mouth wa:
as pure and clean as a child's, and hel
firm cheeks showed a healthy, ever
color Of pink. Her hair was so tidy
so shining, her calico gown and check
apron so perfectly neat that she seem
ed somehow as if she was just new
every way. | did not say anything
at once, for felt so dirty and so baC
the minute looked at her.
'Well?' she said, in a cool sort o.
voice, do you want anybody
i want something to eat, said |
gruffly.
I'VE never give to tramps, she ans
wered, without any change of tone.
I've got to have it!' said |, as
GROSSLY as could.
I'VE have nothing for YOU said
she, quite unmoved.
Come, hurry upl I've got to have
my dinner and you'd better get ii
for me pretty quick l called out
with an oath, taking out my pistol
and handling 1t as threat.
Her eyes grew little darker at
that, and she smiled; she was not
scared mite; she only said, quietly:
If any man shall not work neith-
er shall he eat.
That may be your opinion, miss,
but it isn't mine. The world owes
me living and I'm bound to have
it, l growled back.
'How SOP she answered. What
have you done for the world to put it
in your debt?'
l couldn't answer this question; it
was like a blow in the face; so | swore
again and demanded some dinner.
i shall not give you any, she said,
quite as calmly as ever. If you were
sick or feeble, or crippled, helpless in
any way, it would be different; you
are a strong, likely man, and you can
earn your living just as we'll as can
| looked at her light straight figure.
DO you work for living?' | ask
ed.
Yes; l have worked since | was six
years old" l was bound out then,
and I worked at ip-braiding. l
haven't any relations-any near ones
| mean; there is no body to take care
of me. have to work, sand 1 am
glad l can.'
| swore very common oath, call
ing on God to punish me if could
stand that If were she.
Her face flushed.
Don't do that againn she said. If
you want to be lost call on Satan; he
hears all such requests gladly. God
is your father; He does not like to
punish you even if you ask Him to;
He'd ever so much rather forgive
YOU
| never was so taken aback.
Look here, l said, after mo-
ment, don't you think It's outrageous
that a pretty. behaved girl like you
should be working for living, when
,hore's thousands of women no better
han you be rolling in their carriages?'
No. God put me here and them
here. God knows BEST
We'll, you seem to think God
Knows good deal. l claim to know
something's myself; and l believe
.olks all have equal rights.
DO your she said, so do I; some
lights. Right to get ready to die, and
% serve God while we live
She stepped out of the door and
picked up red leaf from the grass.
Can you make such a leaf as that?'
he asked, holding it out to me.
Why, | knew | couldn't and SO did
he.
Till you can, | expect you had bet
er believe God knows more than you
TO-
l turned and went out into the
ard. I couldn't stand her talk, but
couldn't get away from it.