The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1908-01-09
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CHESTNUT
By GARRETT KNOWLTON

Copyright, by Joseph B. Bowles.)

The door of the Dennyman's house
opened, and Miss SeliIfa, sitting at
her sewing in the window Of the cot
tage opposite, pushed back her spec
tacles and leaned forward to look
across the street.
Principally at nine o'clock, every
morning in the year. Mr.. and Mrs
Dennyman came out on the porch to-
gether, he coated and hated, 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 buttCnhole. She picked
a thread frc:n 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
Selma Haskins looked over and OBJ
served this little episode with as ten
der an interest as f the faithful old
couple had been AIR of young
lovers. Sometimes sic felt the tears
in her eyes as she watched. Miss
Selinas own hair was white, and
there was rumor that she had once
expected to be married
The Dennyman' door shut again.
MY soul" cried Miss Selma.
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.
$50 he is. And-oh, Miss Selma:
l never thought to yell you, butt do
wonder if it could be that. Sarah
Bean was over here yes'd'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 govt. Did you ever hear of such
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 Christian man
could do such thing, and she
wouldn't have anybody know it 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 Selma, do you suppose it
could be that"
Josey's blue eyes were round as
saucers
81 don't know" sighed Miss Selma
But / thank the Lord" she added,
piously, that I'm not one to be curl
Gus about my neighbors' affairs!
Never, Josey, never pry' into what
Can you see whether the second
story front windows are open, child?
II 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 amt that.
l do wonder whether-Josey, If you've
finished that seam, here's another
basted, ready for you to sew. And you
needn't look ont 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 Selma, looking up from
her sewing from time to time. watched
it waver and toss in the wind.
"Hoy II must hurt" she said ir.