The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1904-08-11


doc: was rot opened by the brisk mis-
tress. Ha!f-p:St six, and still no fira
in the kitchen stove. Seven o'clock
and no breakfast Yet for the mistress
and her indignant dependents.
Loud and angry rose the protest ct
B"inGla from her snug stall, while the
old cat and canary Gid their best to
stir things up inside.
Meanwhile. hidden by the parlSr
curtains. croucned Miss TirZah, wrap
ped in huge red ard green shawl,
her heart filttering between shame and
dread. while her eyes watched with
fevered anxiety the house just up the
hill.
On! how pitifully foolish now. looked
her deep laid scheme when faced in
the broad light Of day.
OF course he had forgotten, years
ago, to watch her chimney. What
was it to him now, whether she had a
fire or not? She would go this very
minute and build it. She
Why. what was that? Some one
was coming out Of Solomon's front
Goor. Some one-why, it was Solo.
non himself. creeping forth as if he
il:ld just been engaged in stealing his
own spoons and was now making or
with them to place of hiding.
Where was he going?
The heart Of Tirzah stood still for
one long and nerve-destroying second,
then it went on again with such
hammering and commotion beneath
the red and green shawl that less
pIucky woman would have fed for
the camphor bottle on the instant.
Solomon was coming down the hill
straight toward her tiny home. Com
ing, it is true. not as the conquerors
come with bold and martial tread, but
after timid, slinky fashion Of a man
who has had his last timid advances
in that direction scorned.
When it was certain past all shadow
Of doubt that he was coming into
the house, Tirzah, the crafty creature,
betook herself to the cane-seated rock
er, where, wrapped to the chin in the
big shawl, she waited with palpitating
heart for the timid knock which at
length sounded on her door.
Come in,' she then called feebly,
at which the door was opened eau
tiously, inch by inch, until the entire
figure of the middle-aged lover was
disclosed to view.
At the sight of Tirzah, bundled up
and in the armchair, all Of his hesita.
ton vanished.
why, Tirzah, are you took sick?"
came in the loud, cEeery voice which
had not sounded in the room for five
years past. "An' it's cold enough in
here to freeze the hair off dogs back.
Let NE fix you fire"
In few moments a cheerful fire
was roaring up the chimney. To be
sure, there were more chips on the
floor than Miss Tirzah would have
scattered in a twelve-month and the
CtI was SplllluS Oll uSl IuulSu'llloA
in a remote corner, over IN injury done
her sleek tail by the heavy boot Of
Miss Tirzah's new fireman.
Tirzah, however, noticed neither the
chips nor the anger Of her cat. Not
redder than her cheeks was the blazing
fire, for Solomon had taken courage
and was sitting beside her, inquiring
kindly when she "was took" and if
he shouldn't 60 and fetch the doctor?'
"Eou see, Tirzah," he said with
guilty laugh, Il alters look at your
chimbly the first thing in the mornin'-
I've kinder got into the habit. I know
you don't like it. but-eh-why, Tir.
zah, woman, whatever ails ye?"
Solomon" cried Tirzah, and she
almost screamed it in her excitement,
IL do like it. I-oh, SolonOn-1
didn't build fire for purpose"
He rose then and there and kissed
heI.-Clara Parker, in Housekeeper.