Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-11-11
TheTragedyof Three Cocks Junction ~ ~
 By MARIAN MAR S HALL

C ARA said young Mrs. Saher to L her old serving woman, as she stepped into her spotIess kitchen, give this suit of clothes to the first worthy-looking tramp who comes along, as MT. Saher will not require them any more.''
 Don't you think, num-" said the cautious old servant, lit will be en- couraging the likes of em, as worthy men don't go about begging
 "Oh, Sara" said her young mis- tress. many an honest man begs for bread these hard times. Can't you tell an honest man when you see one? Better some one should have the clothes than the moths eat them up."
 Well, seein' as you are that anxious, I'll do my best to pick out worthy beggar, though I don't like encouraging the likes," said Sara, shaking her wise old head.
 Sara was the terror of all the trades people If one of them ventured into her kitchen with dirty shoes she promptly settled with him, and the os- fense was not repeated. If the coal man dropped his coals or the ash man his ashes, going to and fro, Sara made them stop and clean their dirt up 70 the accompaniment of her shrillest tones, and they were careful not to have it occur again;- but hard as she seemed, her heart was soft enough where her young mistress was con- cerned, though her master stood some what in awe of her, and said he did not dare venture into his own kitchen, unless he had on velvet slippers.
 A few evenings after the above conversation MT. Saher was obliged to make business trip to Dublin.
 Mrs. Saher was sitting dejectedly at luncheon the third day after her hus- bands departure, when her sister-in- law, Mrs. Richard Saher, was x an- nounced.
 Dick has booked some seats for the theater for tomorrow night, Helen; there is an American play on, and we thought you would like to see it''
 "Oh. should love to go. Alice; how thoughtful of you and Dick
 Tho next afternoon found Mrs. Saher toasting her feet before a huge grate fire. It was a raw, bleak day in November. An east wind whistled down the chimney, and deep, yellow fog hung over the town, working itself through the house; more gloomy day could hardly be imagined. She seemed restless and uneasy. She could not read, nor could she settle down to her needle work. She tried waltz on the piano, but was not in the mood for playing What is the matter with me?" she ex- claimed. Just then there came loud double knock at the knocker, and Sara entered with a telegram. which her young mistress eagerly opened.
 "Hame for breakfast Harold" she read. Nov, Sara, mind you,l give us good breakfast
 'As if never give them anything good to eaf," muttered Sara, returning to her kitchen.
 NLife is made up of little things, and those four short words had magic eff feet or, Mrs Saher's feelings, and caused her to fltltter about with a merry smile
 Seven, half past seven, eight o'clock chimed the pretty French clock on the mante. What can make them so later" she wondered, as she sat nervously tap ping her handsomely-dress foot sagainst the fender; on the stroke of nine Sara ushered them in.
 ''At last" said she, smilingly greet ing .hem. 'I began to think something dreadful had happened"
 eve thought you wouldn't care to go," said her sister-in-law
 "Ch, l don't mind the weather" re- piled Helen; then. noticing they were not in evening dress, she exclaimed, with catch in her voice: Why, aren't you going?"
 T suppose you haven't heard from Harold to-day, Helen?" asked her brotAer-in-law. ignoring her question and looking helplessly at his wife.
 "Yes. have" she replied, smiling.
 What? When?" they both exclaimed toge ther.
 'IIarold will be here for breakfast. I had z wire about five o'clock
 "Let me see it." said Dick, eagerly
 "Dick, Alice!" exclaimed he4eA, lo. ing from one to the other anxiousI. what has happened? Why do you bov act so strangely? Has anything hap pened to Harold?"
 And then it was the woman who arose to the emergency, though her hus- band had promised to do it.
 Helen, dearest" said Alice, slipping her arm caressingly around her, there has been a railway accident, and Har- old's name is among the inirred.' She