Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1904-05-07

had rescued two more guests, one
pale little cripple on crutches, carefully
sheltered from the rain by the Even.
ing Bulletin, who had not only sue
ceoded in obtaining Il substitute, hut
had borrowed an umbrella which UNI
brella had seen its best days TO be
sure. being minus two stays ana
patched with n different color. but de-
mOralized as it was it did not pre-
vent the guests it sheltered from being
joyfully welcomed by their compatri-
OTIS already under shelter. The cripple
boy in particular was warmly received
by Mrs. Longman. whose heart went
out in sympathy to suffering in any
form. She had iust been upon the
point of proposing that the boys should
until supper was ready adjourn to the
attic, which, like the rest OF the house
was warm and comfortable, but out
of consideration for the lame boy. she
changed her plans. and sent two of her
guests with her sons to bring down
such playthings as they desired in the
parlOr, in which, with her usual good
sense, she had nothing too fine for USE
The boys We're scarcely ensconced in
the parlor when n ring from the bell
sent them all scampering to the hal
door u-hera S,c...--,..Cc UuyS, one OF
wnOm, the Evening News, was spokes-
man.
II hope you will excuse me, ma'am
for not coming to the alley gate this
evening" said he, bowling over the
heads of the boys to Mrs. Longman,
who was coming to see what this
method of announcement might por-
tend, Buddy here" pointing to one of
his followers, lis blind. and thought
you would not mind our coming to the
front door: and could not find lame
boy" continued he, alphabetically, to
the LOngman boys, 80 l brought the
charcoal mans boy, who is deaf and
dumb
Mrs. Longman escorted them to the
kitchen to remove their wet wruppings
and to dry their shoes, and then took
them into the parlor, where the other
guests We're sitting rather silently, gaz-
ing at the parlor and its contents,
which, though to some persons might
be considered plain. was to the boys a
scene of unaccustomed luxury; then
she went back to the kitchen to hold
counsel with Bridget in regard to that
all-impOrtant event of the evening sup
per.
what in the world will we get,
Bridget?" said she. "There are eight Of
makes ten. and there may de as many
more for all know, and it IS 100 wet
to go out for anything"
THE aisiest thing in the world.
ma'am. l have been considering the
same while YOU we're in the parlOr.
There's the chickens in the yard. that
you are fattening; nothing in the world
would be suitabler than them
But that would be only one kind
Of meat. Bridget. and perhaps some OF
them do not eat chicken; and now
70 tba be t shsetHisArrdd. hN'' ! 'v""'' ' "
Trust me for that. ma am; I never
SAW al IVY W. ihdl NOuit iOt vat no
weight in chic&en. only give him the
| time will 90 immedia tely and tell
| the fowls their presence is wanted mt
&. party, ana tlie Ketie g singing as
| though it expected broth Of a time"
"And I will make lot of biscuits -
said Mrs. LOngman. land while you
are cooking the chickens will set the
| table,
And If YOU Place. ma'am. while the
| Eou" ana other things are around viii
make 10, of my ginger cakes; for
next to n chicken stew with oceans of
gravy, there's nothing boy likes bet
ter than hot ginger cakes
"Oh. Bridget. You are so thoughtful,
| said Mrs. LOngman. and somehow, her
heart began TO grow lighter, and with
a cripple and a blind boy and mute
in the next room she began to realize
that she had much to be thankful for.
Several new additions were made to
the company in the parlor and by the
time the supper was smoking on the
table the mir,h was growing fast and
furious"
The boys were almost daZzled by the
brilliancy of the dining room: the gilt
ter of china and glass and silver under
the strong gas light. Mrs. I.ongman
had eXerted herself to make feast in.
deed to those who seldom Jared except
upon the cOarsest viands, and her table
showed no lack of dainty preserved
fruits, jellies and all the little knick-
knacks which she could muster on such
short notice.
Mrs. LOngman took quiet observa-
ton of the whole company while help
ing them. and she observed one puzzle
for which in her own mind she could
| find no solution. and that was that the
blind boy. while evidently enjoying his
gravy had carefully laid his pieces of
poultry aside.
Here is one exception to Bridget's
| rule she thought to herself. DO you
not like chicken, my boy?' she in
Quired.
Eyes, ma'am, 1 love it," he replied
with emphasis. "but-' and he hest
tated while his pale little face grew
| flushed.
A moment or so later he slipped from
his chair. and with the unerring accur.
acy with which the blind calculate dis.
tances, he came to Mrs. Longman and
said:
"Please, ma'am, may I touch your
| face?'
Certainly. dear" she replied.
Very gently and speedily the little
soft hand of me blind boy examined
each feature and then, apparently sat.
isfied, he whispered:
II would like to take it to Nancy, she
is so good to me; she is sick and can
not get good things to eat"
Quick tears of sympathy filled Mrs
| Longman's eyes. Truly she was re.
! ceiving many lessons this evening.
She was giving. but it was being re-
| turned to her an hundred fold She