Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-09-17
"A HORSE | CHESTNUT
By CARPET KNowLToN
yvVVvVgyFsVyvVVVSvvv'tvsvv Copyright, by Joseph B. Bowles.)

 her sewing in the window of the cot tage opposite, pushed back her spec tacles and leaned forward to look across the street.
 Punctually at nine o'clock, every morning in the year, MT. and Mrs. Dennyman came out on the porch to- gether, he coated and halted, ready to start on his daily trip downtown, she with her white head unprotected from sun or wind, to see him off. In pleasant weather they stood there for . little before he went away, some times speaking, oftener not. Speech was hardly necessary between the two, who had lived side by side for 60 years. When the honeysuckle was in blossom, she pulled spray and put it in his buttonhole. She picked a thread from his sleeve or brushed his coat-collar as he fingered; and when he went, plodding slowly and painfully down the street. she watched his white head out of sight. Then she went in and shut the door.
 And every morning of the year Miss Selina Haskins looked over and ob- served this little episode with as ten der an interest as if the faithful old couple had been a pair of young lovers. Sometimes she felt the tears in her eyes as she watched Miss Selina's own hair was white, and there was a rumor that she had once expected to be married. n
 The Dennyman's door shut again.
 "My soul!" cried Miss Selina, staring. He's coming out alone! He's-Josey, he's going down the street, and not sign of her any, where! What can be the matter?"
 Josey, the small assistant, ran to the window in much excitement.
 "So he is! And-oh, Miss Selina! I never thought to tell you, butt do wonder if it could be that! Sarah Bean was over here yesd'y, and said that when she was washing the dishes she heard Mis- Dennyman talking to him and just giving it to him because he was carrying round potato-a potato, Miss Selina!-to cure him of his gout. Did you ever hear of such a thing? She found it in his pocket, and she was just scandalized, Sarah says-declared it was all foolishness and superstition and wickedness, and she didn't see how a Christian man could do such thing, and she wouldn't have anybody know 1t for the world, she'd be so mortified, and he said he didn't care-he kinder thought it was helping him, and he was going to keep on carrying it, and --oh, Miss Selina, do you suppose 1t could be that?"
 Josey's blue eyes were round as saucers.
 T don't know!" sighed Miss Selipa. "But I thank the Lord" she added, piously, 'that I'm not one to be curi- ous about my neighbors' affairs! Never, Josey, never pry into what Can you see whether the second story front windows are open, child? If they are shut, maybe she's sick"
 "No," said Josey, peering. They're open, and the pillows are airing on a chair"
 "Then she's well, and it ain't that do wonder whether-Josey. if you've finished that seam, here's another pasted, ready for you to sew. And you needn't look out of the window any more"
 "No'm," said Josey, meekly.
 The day was crisp and cool. A spray of belated blossom shone white on the honeysuckle vine across the street. Miss Selina, looking up from her sewing from time to time, watched 1t waver and toss in the wind.
 How it must hurt!" she said, ir- relevantly, to herself, a sudden dim ness gathering behind her spectacles. How it must hurt! Sixty years. and then-a potato!"
 After dinner she put on a pair of Congress gaiters instead of her soft old slippers, tied worsted cloud over her head, and battered gently across the street to Mrs. Dennymsn's.
 "That recipe you were asking for" she explained, when the old lady opened the door. T came across 1t today, and I thought I'd bring 1t right over"
 They went into the little sunny par Tor and sat down, but Miss Selina did not stay very long. She thought Mrs. Dennyman seemed stiff and a trife hbsent-minded. They talked about apple-jelly and the prospect of mild winter and the price of coal, and then she said goodbye, and battered gently home again and sat down to her sew ing with a tranquil, though somewhat expectant look.
 She had not been seated many min utes before the doorbell rang. with a tinkIe which made her jump.
 "Sit still, Josey," she, said Indul- gently. 'TIl go."
 -why. Mis- Dennyman!- she cried. a minute later. opening the door to let the old lady in. T didn't expect you'd return my call so soonl"
 Mrs. Dennyman did not smile In answer. She stood. trembling. on the braided doormat. with her shawl over her head. Ike a little brown leaf, blown In by the wind
 ~This-is this yours7- she asked, with an effort, holding out a small. dark object on the palm of her hand.
 ~MTne," said Miss Selma. peerfug ct it through her spectzcIes with mild curiosity. why-uhy. yesi- she