Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-11-27


Since morning the markets and flower
stands had been besieged by HAPPY
throng of busting people eager TO secure
the latest gobbler, the brightest and red
dest cranberries, or the most gorgeous
bunch of chrysanthemums for their own
narticular table AS the chill November
day was drawing to a close. young
woman in the garh of shop-glrl, hurrled
down dingy side street She held very
small bunch of chrysanthemums IN her
shabbily-gloved hand. Her attempted
sauntiness of attire Ill accorded with her
shrinking manner or the modest lowering
of her gaze as she passed some groups
of hilarious youngsters on pleasure pent'
and her whole appearance suggested
girl try-bred-transplanted to the
city. Such she was.
Pursuing her rapid but timid walk Tor
several blocks. she paused before shap-
nv. tagging gate After opening it hasti-
IN, but with some difficulty, she crossed
the miniature plot Of bare ground that lay
between the pavement and the dingy lit
tie house, which stood fully five feet back
from the sidewalk. Mounting the two
porch steps she crossed the three feet OIL
covered way dignified by the high-Sound-
ing name of front porch. and, reachlng
down into her pocket, drew forth a iatch-
key, opened the door. and entered the
front hail. a narrow three-by-nine aper-
ture, badly lighted by feeble gas Jet
An overpowerng oder o. stale cabbage
fairly enveloDed her and caused ner TO
catch her breath for moment. Re-
moving her street hat. she hung 1t or
one of the imitation brass holders that
studded the imitation oak hat-stand in
the hall After laying her bunch of
~, Ito 4 6iSpTnP21P6
returning in a moment with tall green
glass vase in her hand. Placing the flow
ers in the receptacle of imitation Bohe-
milan glass, she stood back a foot (the
narrowness of the aperture allowing no
greater perspective), to study the effect.
A please smile irradiated her face, and
she muttered to herself, Aren't they
sweet and fresh. They certainly do remind
me of old Wood Lawn" The tears welled
up into her pretty brown eyes as the
memory of her humble country home
forced itself upon her. and she bent over
the flowers. and burying her ia ce in them,
kissed them in caressinS way. HUSH
ing away the tears that had gathered in
her eyes, she turned to the narrow stairs,
and mounting them. slowly crossed a lit
tie landing and opened the door leading
into hot, close-sme,ling little bedroom.
A trash coal fire burned in the toy stove;
a rusty pan half-full OF smnering water
rested or top of the modern and up-to-
date heater" in an old-time split-bot-
toned rocking-c chair sat a gaunt. stoop-
shouldered man of middle age. His once
powerful. but now. ernaciated frame. re-
clined weariy in the char. Pillows placed
under him and at his back served to make
him more comfortable. He was in his
shirt-sleeves and sock-feet; his beard, the
especial Pride Of his admiring wife and
daughter was iuNuriant and black. with
slight sprinkling of gray hairs. His
heavy, thick jet hair was now disheVelled.
He sat moodily gazing at the tiny red
slit at the bottom of the stove door, the
only thing about 1.-The modern up-to-date
heater" that suggested the great open
fires he had sat before at Wood Lawn,
previous to his breaking up farming to
seek his fortune in town.
The girl crossed the room swiftly. and
seating herself on the arm of his chair.
put her arms around him and drew his
head to her breast. Daddy she MUIR
INJURED, you certainly were still;
thought you must er ben sleep: what in
the wurl was you thinkin' bout? You
ought to err ben on the streets ter day
to-morrows Thanksgiving, you know
an everybody was buyip somethln for
it. ! brought back ilttle punch OIL CllISS-
anthemums, an they certinly are pref
ty They reminded me of old Wood
Lawn. A slight tremor passed over the
sick man, and he Strengthened himself in
his chair.
'.Pearly,'' he said, addressing his daugh-
ter in sad tones, that's what l. was
thinkin' bout when YOU come in.
| bin sick SO long honey. that il
looks like l can't git we'll. an sittin' here
in this durn little cage, lookin' at thai
nothin' Of or stove. jes got me to sortei
longin' for the ole place down in Charles
City Tain. so bad in er city when Ell
! mans at work an can't think. but eff Ell
man stops. cr mint you commence tel
git lonesome as the devil. cert'nly dc
| wish l could see or even hear from
Brother Bob or Sally or some of EN-.
Never mine. daddy, you'll soon be git
tin er bout crgain an maybe you ker
| so down Christmas jus for er day or so
ken keep house while you're gone
La chile he answered. YEARLY
| when git out er here. I've got ter hus
| tie ter make up for lost time. You say
to-morrow's Thanksgiving
"Yessir.'' Pearly replied, Her fathe,
/ reached for her hand and held 1t close
| Honey" he said. you've took me baci
! ten years talkin' bout Thanksgiving.
and he turned slowly in his chair to lool
at long. old fashioned single barrellet
understanding gun that hung ever til,