The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1911-08-24
The Uninvited Guest

Across the table, two aged people
faced each other, the same thought
in the eyes of both. when TINS Is
gone" The little old lady checked
herself to murmur soothingly, Never
mind. father. When this Is gone'
maybe-the good Lord will provide
something else. Any way" almost
cheerily, you've done your BEST
You've looked everywhere"
The old man shook his head sad
Iy. "They amt hirin' graybeards
any more" he said. with futile at
tempt at mirth.
well. tonight" his wife smiled
trustfully, I'VE won't go to bed hun
cry anyway. 'Tain't much' OF sup
per maybe, but it's filling she
glanced apologetically at the frugal
viands of the board, feigning not TO
see the salty tear that trickled down
his face, and which he wiped furtively
with the back Of one toil-hardened
hand.
Pushing the bread toward him, she
motioned with little imperative ges-
ture for him to take and eat. ODedi-
emily he reached forth, then stopped
half way. whats that" he inquired
sharply as a loud knock ratified the
panels of the kitchen door.
The little old woman did not reply
Only her face went shade paler. II
might be the landlord, and folks who
were out OF work. with no prospects,
got short shrift from him. The old
man lifted the lamp from the table,
and holding II far above his head
walked stifhy to the door. The KNOB
turned and the burly figure OF a man
intruded.
"Can come in?" n hoarse voice
inquired, "and get warm and maybe
a bite of somethin and cup of tear
For an instant the old couple faced
each other dumbly. 1t meant making
three portions of what had barely
sufiiced for two. Then, trembhngly
the wife voiced their belated welcome.
"Why, certain" and her tone warmed
the heart of the stranger. we amt
never turned anyone out yet when
they was cold and hungry an we
amt goln' to begin tonight. Set
right down an eat with us.
All through the meal she Kept
pushing the most inviting portions to
the strangers plate, restricting her
self to the merest morsels. When
they had finished the stranger rose
and stretched himself. "You had a
plate ready for me-" he observed
curiously "You didn't go and get
one"
"That was there for 20 years.
Tears welled up in the eyes OF the old
woman. Its for Jimmy, our boy
that ran away an went to sea when
he was 10. Many's the one that has
set in his place, an we was always
hoping'-father and me-that some
I time he would come an set there him
. self But we're glad" eagerly, "tC
4 give his place to anyone that needs
it as long as he couldn't come him
A self"
Q The stranger seemed not to hea
4 nor heed. He went up close to th'
e old man and put heavy hand on hi
!. shoulder. You're down and out
O ain't you?" he asked quickly u saV
e that soon as | came in; and yet-ye
s -" he choked. then murmured hoarse
n ly, "you gave me my share OF IN
little you had. | didn't need 1t, hor
eat didn't" Tears streamed dow
the bronzed cheeks now. u took
because you was so willing to give
aln't poor. See here" He dive
deeply into a capacious pocket, draw
, ing forth a big wad Of bills, an
thrust them into the old mans han'
Here" he muttered, GRATEFUL.
. take 1t. It's all yours-father."
There was something in the inton'
, ton OF the last word that caused tn
/ old couple to look up into his eye
He was staring wistfully, smilin
!. hopefully at them. And-all In
g minute-they understood.
Q Jimmy" both voices broke I'M
Z thankful sobs. "Jlmmy-son-you'
!. come home" Then the light OF re
}. happiness sprang into the stranger
y eyes as he seized hand OF each.
n "Yes," he echoed heartily, al
4. I've come to stay and take care
n you. No more waiting, no more So
4, ting an empty place for me, no mo
II work and no more poverty II
d echo Of his words died away to Il
e. fervent thanksgiving of his mothel
5. BLESS God! The good Lord did pi
vide after all-in his own way"