Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1909-12-11
.
v The *
Delegates
A Jolly House Party and
a Disappointed Storekccpsr
BY FRANK III. SWEET
Copyright. TO-. by American Press
Association.

ara Sexton was Snowbuuud al thest'
nut Gap. with SHOW still falling. II
might get through In twenty-four
hours. and 1t might not in Il week. All
depended OH the length of the storm
and the energy of the four or five men
who constituted the repair aud emcI-
gency force of the short narrow gauge
road
Ordinarily II would have made lit
tie difference. for passengers were rare
and speed unimportant but on this
day II happened there were seventeen
delegates converging from various
parts of the state 10 Il church conven-
ton appointed at Pinery because the
small church there was the oldest IN
the state and this day the anniversary
Of its building. Moreover, there were
the proprietor of the one little grocery
store and the energetic wife of the
aged pastor both returning from Sex
ton with various supplies for the susie
nance and entertaining of these same
delegates during the three or four
days of their proposed stay. So II
was a matter of perplcxlty aud con
stcrnation to the engineer and conduct
or when the Wheeling train ran its
head into a snow bank ut the gap aud
came To q StandStill.
The country along the railroad was
wild and sparsely settled. with Chest
nut Gap AT its most desolate point.
Twenty or more rods back from the
road. with only winding path leading
10 IT, was the only house in ten miles.
one room cabin and loft. with wood
ell shutters for windows and mud
and stick chimney built nj one end. To
this the delegates plowed their way
through the snow. the men kicking ont
path rs well as they could for tue
women. who struggled in Indian file
behind.
A girl of fourteen or fifteen opened
the door. eager eyed and excited at
more visitors than she had seen in her
life. An old man was bending over the
fireplace. but rose and hobbled forward
at their entrance.
Come in. come right In" he cried
Hospitality. Jest make yourselves TO
home. Kinder wintry out. amt il:
What. wimmen too? Here. crowd
clost to the fire an warm up an dry
up. Wimmen fust.'
They did So laughingly. though most
of them were shivering \ young man
quickly gathered up all the wood the
cabin seemed to contain and threw II
upon the fire. turning alphabetically TO
the host after he had done SO.
We need thawing out first" he ex-
planned. and you invited us to make
ourselves ut home. But never mind
the fuel. There are eight men In our
party. and we will soon have more.
The conductor tells us we cannot get
away under two days and perhaps not
under a week. Now. what can YOU do
for us:'' with quick and rather quiz
Zical look about the cabin. what sort
OF accommodations and provisions can
you furnish?'
Plenty o both" heartily. "Thcy's
loft overhead jest the size o this room.
'cept for the roof bein santin'. Win
men can have one an men t'other, an
| raised n heap o turnips last fall
moren four acres. did figger to sell
EN-, but price was so scan'alous low
that Bet Ann an me berried 'em in n
hole under the floor. Lucky, too. now.
amt IL: But say What might your
name he: I'm Lem Tucker"
THANK you. My name is Tom Ash
Los. I l.1F On. tffr
nips. Now. what sort OF other provi-
sions have you to 20 with thcm:"
why. nothin'." genially. "Ye see,
my lands too poor TO raise other stuff.
But iurnlp, i mighty good an
healthy an dlges' We. an Bet Ann an
me eats 'em right along. We like
'em. Bet Ann has some snares out
back % the house an now an agin
catches rabbit for relish Ye see,
I'm too roolnatiky for goin' out in
weather. But Of course one rabbit
wouldn't he much relish for all your
folks"
"No. suppose not" agreed Ashley.
He turned to his companions. You
hear what our host says. | am glad
you all love turnips."
There was slight shlver through
the group. Then one Of the women
rose bravely to the occasion.
1--WE always have turnips with our
Christmas dinner at home" she said
cordially. land occasionally AT other
times. | believe. This will be such a
nice chance for us 10 famillarize Cur
selves with its possibilities. or course
they can be cooked In different ways.
Now. Mr.. Tucker. are we to have the
upstairs room or this: think many
Of the ladies have wet feet and might
like 20 change. We brought our bags
from the train
"why, Jest take your chico" be-
nignly. ats all yourn. Make your
selves to home. But folks II have TO
be goin' in an out this room. fixin' the
fire an dom things, so mebbe the
loft II be best for the wimmen. Bet
Ann n show We. Go right up through
that hole In the corner. an don't he
skeered o. the ladder. made II my