Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1904-01-21

noun did not refer to Speckle.
Along in the forenoon of the third
day Miss Martha put on her hat and
started down the hill in the direction
Of the Bailey house, with a vague
purpose OF meeting her girl neighbor
and dropping hint which would stop
her in her dishonest career. But In
stead it was Miss Martha who received
the check. As she advanced toward
her neighbor's her eyes wandered to
the dilapidated side porch, overhung
with tangled vines, and there on the
upper step sat speckled hen. Miss
Martha rubbed her eyes, but those
trusted organs had not played her
false. The hen was Speckle, andeve
as her mistress stood and stared she
rose to her feet with the triumphant
cackle which had gladdened Miss
Martha's heart so often in the past.
There was only one explanation Of the
singular circumstance-Speckle had
taken it upon herself to grant the ia
vor her mistress had refused
Miss Martha turned and went home
with a strange sense of bewilderment.
She was too upset to prepare her u.s.
ual hearty dinner, and instead made
herself cup of tea, like anyone in
the world but sensible spinIter who
had kept house alone for matter of
twenty-five ysars. She waI washing
the single cup and saucer when foot
steps sounded on the walk, and the
girl from the Bailey house came into
the kitchen. She held in her hand a
tin dish containing three eggs, and
she sat them down on the table.
II suppose I'd ought to have told
you before" she said, as Miss Martha
turned tremulously. Your speckled
hens been stealing her nest. For the
last three days she's laid on our door
step.
She looked as if she did not expect
to be believed, but Miss Martha had
good reason for thinking the improb-
able story true.2 Wont you sit DOWN."
she said appealingly.
The girl did not sesm to hear the
invitation. 81 don't know as l need
to tell you" she went on, "but l guess
I will. I cane near keeping those
eggs. thought" her re,olute young
voice broke suddenly-"I thought
maybe the Lord had sent them
"Oh, dear me !" cried Miss Martha
She crossed the room and laid her
hand on the visitors arm. "You cit
right down" she half commanded,
half entreated. I've got to under
stand this.
The girl sank into the nearest chair
aud began to cry. "Itwss for mother
1 wanted the things" she sobbed. "The
doctor said she'd got to have nourish-
ing food, and what's girl to do when
her father drinks2 Half the time he's
out of work, and when he gets little
money he spends it for more whiskey.
The undemonstrative New England
woman clasped her visitors hand. The
girl leaned her head against the friend
ly shoulder and wept as if there were
comfort both in the contact and the
tears.
81 didn't blame you any Of the
time. 1t was most lie anyway when
asked you to lend things just as il
meant to pay EN- back. / know 1t
was the came as begging, but come
how l didn't care if only mother'd d get
well"
"You sit still in that chair" Miss
Martha commanded. Don't stir out
of it till I get back" She hurried
into the pantry, and began to fill q
basket which she brought out, foi
Miss Martha's housekeeping was on q
liberal scale, if she did live BY her
self.
You'll let me scrub or something
to pay you back, won't you" said
the girl, lifting her eyes eloquent
with gratitude. "I can do most al
kinds Of work, l don't care how hard
it is"
Don't worry about paying it back,
Miss Martha returned, pattiug be-
shoulder. "But ]. don't say you can
help me out some day. That's wha
neighbors are for, you know--tO hell
each other. Tell your mother II
drop in to see her tomorrow. I'm
pretty good hand at fixing up sici
folks."
After her visitors departure Mis-
Martha made an errand to the bael
yard, and carried Speckle some scrap
, ! which that sagacious fowl took iron