The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-01-28
STORY FOR EACH DAY OF
REAL HEART INTEREST
Hospitality in a Nut Shell, : by Belle Maniates
tcopyrgnted by Associated Literary Press.l

Huddied down among some tall, an
gular poplars In valley between
the hills was a little white house with
a lean-to at the rear and big porch
In front. Here had lived for forty
eight years childiess old couple
They thought that their little home,
which they had named The Nut
she'll" the most beautiful place in
the world, and their only lament was
that so few persons dropped In" or
even passed by. Neighbors were re-
mote and their road was not deserv-
ing of the appellation. 1t was not
even a eressread--haFdly q laRe-aHa
the grass grew high ns
family defined wagon ruts. Where
It ended and turned into a crossroad,
there Was 81
brush, brush and foliage from low
hanging. interlaced tree tops that the
opening was completely hidden from
view.
One afternoon as they sat on the
poreh-stoop, Phtneas called this
wife. Hannah, stopped rocking sud
denly and listened.
Some ones coming she exclaimed,
excitedly.
AS she spoke. a beautiful young
came into view.
Like a picture" said Phineas, TAX
ing the pipe from hts mouth.
The young lady looked admiringly
at the little place and bestowed a
| friendly glance upon the oid couple.
7 can't let her go by" gasped
/ Hannah, as she started down the
path.
The rider refined in her horse.
Wouldn't you like to stop a bit and
have a drink of cold milk
Hannah spoke enticingly and ap-
! pea1ingly. The answering smile Wa.
radiant.
Indeed. would" she replied, dis.
Z mounting. and may ! have one oil
/ those rosy checked apples ] saw IL
/ the orchard ?"
! You may have a bushel." emphat'
/ iealiy asserted Phineas. as he stood
/ up and held out his hand. Set righ'
/ down. while tie your boss"
I She proved tor be what HANNAH
called "foIksy." She cheerfully tole
T her name. where she lived and every
( thing that Hannah yearned to know
/ Was you goin' far?' she mail!
t asked
Il wasn't going anywhere in par
ticuIar. | don't know how ! came 4
+ spy this road; 1t was so shut In.
don't see how people find it
They DON'T said Hannah. visit
fully. NO one comes by but tn
X y
man every four weeks and once II
/ a while the tin man. We like com
! pany, Phinny and ]. and We like Z
I have a game, too. We taught the til
man and the essence man to play ca
sino and pedro. so they always stop
but the grocery man don't get tn
9 time Once / stopped stranger an
/ called him in. We played with
dummy"
Il call that hold-up." laughed tn
girl
so 1t was" allowed Phineas. com
ing up the steps. "Miss---'
Irene" she answered.
That was my mothers name,
said musingly.
Cant you stay to supper" plead
ed Hannah. I'VE have Ii real earl
because we have dinner early"
Thank you,' replied the girl.
should love to stay
you can telephone your folks,
suggested Phineas. We have telt
phone
J 1T won't be necessary. I often 6
for long rides
So Phineas led the horse to tn
barn to feed, while Irene helped
, set the table with hlue-sprigged chin
and with all-bowled spoons. Har
nah made alright biscuits, Thei
was square of golden honey wit
| cream TO lndlCA ilS nut n SfaN
cake basket was heaped with thic
slices of gold and silver cake an
straw berry preserves, pickles an
fragrant tea completed the menu.
Il never ate such delicious meal
cried Irene. ecstatieally.
"Pshaw. Jest bite," scoffsd Phil
cas-.
, But while they were making merl
throughout the supper hour, ctout
had been gathering, and quick pa
ter Of raindrops took them all to II
window. A storm was coming on
earnest and in few moments tbel
, was a terrific roar of thunder ar
the rain came down in torrents.
TITS in for an all nights storm
) predicted Phineas
/ You will have to stay all night
said Hannah. gleefully
, Yes; ten miles in this rain and u
. Unknown roads would be too ventur
some even for me-" replied Iren
a going to the telephone and tnformir
her mother of her safckeeping.