Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1903-12-24

got there all right, an writ home what
a good time he was hevin', an then
the next news we had there'd been an
Injun raid, an he an his Uncle Jim
was both killed"
"How could you stand it?" cried
her hearer, sYmpathetically.
"Fust an last we can all stand
good deal more we think we can,
replied Mrs. Barker, with a sigh, $50
I lived through it, though l thought
then my heart was broke, an as for
pa, he couldn't be recouciled to it, but
Jest pined an pined for sammy til
he died few months arfter With
pa an Sammy both gone, I couldn't
bear to stay in the old place, so | sold
out an come out here to Iowy. l
planned to live with cousin John
Forbes an his wife, but before l was
her. a month both died, an then the
bank that had my money bust up, an
I had to work hard to keep soul an
body together. I thought then twas
pretty hard, but l see now twas the
best thing that could happen, for 1t
kind O. took me out o myself, an l
found | want the only one in the
world with trials. l got along real
we'll till year ago, when this rheu-
matiz come on me, an l had to give
up an come here, where it looks as if
l sh'll have to stay the rest o my
nat'ral life. But Mis- Mahew's real
good woman, an Mr.. Mahew treats
us well, SO I've no cause to complain,
an 'twon't be for long, anyway"
Her voice trembled little, but her
face was as serene as usual as she con-
cluded, and once more began hum
ming the words Of the old song.
Presently she held up the doll on
which she had been working, saying :
There, it's done, and this is the last
one. Looks kind o nice doesn't it? "
The other women dropped their
work and gathered about her.
"You do beat all, exclaimed one as
she fingered the dainty dresses. I'm
cure hope them young 'uns II know
enough to thank you for what you've
done for EN-"
I'm sure they will, bless their little
hearts /" answered Mrs. Barker, hope
fully, as she gathered up the bits Of
cloth and cotton and made them into
neat roll.
She was too lame to take care Of the
dolls, but Mrs. Mshew (the matron)
volunteered to hang them upon the
Christmas tree old Jock Thomas, one
of the inmates, had cut down and
"set up" in the "foreroom 1t was not
a very large tree, but to the matfon' 8
eye it seemed of tremendous size.
In addition to the dolls, there was
a pair of red mittens for each child,
and an apple and bag of popcorn
for every inmate.
The apples and corn were Mrs.
Mathews contribution, and she regard
ed the tree withcomplacent approval.
Christmas morning dawned clear,
crisp and cold, as a Christmas morning
should, and everyone was astir by
dsybreak.
There was = good deal to be done,
and while the younger women helped
about the house, the older ones, knit
ting. work in hand, gathered in little
group. about the air-tigbt stove in the
sitting-room, and talked Of the days
when they had homes of their own,
and when geese, turkeys and chickens
were no rarities upon their tables, and
they spoke disdainfully Of the roasting
spareribs, which would form part OF
their dinner; yet it was noticed that
they now and then shifted the air with
as much enjoyment as the children
who were dancingin and out, pretend
ing to help, yet managing to get in
everyone's way.
Early in the morning Mr.. Msyhsw
drove to the village, osten'iblY to get
the mail, in reality to swap stories at
the village loungiDg-place, the store.
He came back at noon, full Of excite
ment. The Governor was in town,
and was coming to inspect the "Fsrm"
that afternoon.
There was some bill relating to
paupers before the Legislature, and
before signing it he determined to see
for himself how they were treated.
Mr.. Mayhem put up his horse and
went through the barns and Outbuild
ings, to make sure thy were in order,
while Mrs. Mayhem made tour Of
the house and congratulated herself
upon the fact that everything was az