The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1911-02-24

"HELLor DID YOU RING THE RELL?"
come across the fields. because boy
said 1t was nearer. and the bushes
were so''-
Across the fields? Have you walk
ed all the way from the depot?"
Yes, sir. The man said it was
| quarter to ride, and auntie said must
be careful of my money because
by the big dipper, Come in. Come
i'm out of that this minuter
He sprang down the steps, furled
the umbrella, seized her BY the arm
and led her into the house. through the
parlor and into the sitting room, where
the fire cracked invitingly. He could
feel that the dress sleeve under his
hand was wet through, and the worn
boots and darned stockings he could
see were soaked likewise.
'There!" he cried. set down i'm
that chair. Put your feet up on that
hath. Sakes alivel Your folks ought
| to know better than to let you stir out
this weather, let alone walkin' a mile
and no rubbers. Them shoes ought to
come Off this minute. / s'pose. Take
'em off. You can dry your stockiR's
better that way. OFF with 'emr
Yes, sir" said the child, stopping to
unbutton the shoes. Her wet fingers
4 were blue. It can be cold in our vii
lage even i'm early September when
there Is an easterly storm. Intuition
ing the shoes was slow work.
Here, let me help you" commanded
the captain. getting down on one knee
and taking a foot in his lap. Tut, tut,
tut! You're wet. Been some time
sence fused with button boots. Lace
or long legged cowhides come handler
Never wore cowhides. did your
"No, sir"
Il s'pose not ! used to when / was
little. Remember the first pair had.
Copper toes on 'em-whew. The cop
per was BACKED over when they come
out Of the store, and that wouldn't do,
so we used to kick stone wall till
they frightened up. There, there she
comes. Humph. Stockin's soaked too.
Wish had some dry ones to lend you.
Might give you n pair of mine, but
they'd be too scant fore and aft and
too broad in the beam, | carlate.
Humph! And your top higgins as
wet as your hull. Been on your beam
ends, have your"
IT don't know, sir. | fell down ia
the bushes coming across. There
were vines, and they tripped me up,
and the umbrella was 50 heavy that
Eyes, could see right or you was
carryin' too much canvas. Now take
off your bunnit, and I'll cit coat ef
mine to wrap you up in"
He went into his bedroom and g
turned with a heavy "reefer" jacket.
Ordering his caller to stand up, he
slipped her arms into the sleeves AND
turned the collar up about her mack.
Her braided 'pigtail" Of yellow hair
stuck ont over the collar and hung
down her back in funny way. The
coat sleeves reached almost to her
knees, ana the coat itself envelWped
her like bedquilt-
There" said Captain Cy approving
ly-'now you look more ~ II You was
under n storm rig. Set down and
toast your toes. Where's that letter
you said you had?"
Its inside here. T don't knows i
can get mt 1t, these sleeves are 50
long"
Reef 'em-turn 'em up. Let me
show you. That's better. Hum! 80
you come from the depot, hey? Live
up that wayT
No. sir! used to live An Concord,
but
Concord? Concord? Concord wheref'
Concord, n. III. came on the cars.
Auntie knew a man who was going to
Boston, ana BE said he'd take care OF
me as fur as that and then put re on
the train to come down here. stop
ped ut his folks house III Charlestown
last night. and this morning we got
up early. and he bought me ticket
and started me for here. had box
with ny things in Il. but X was 70
heavy couidn't carry it, so left #
I'D AT the depot The man there said
1t would be NIL right and you could
send 1or X when
III could send Tor It? \ could? What
in the world Say. child, you've made
"a mistake IA your bearin's. 'Tain't me
You want to see: it's some OF your
folks relations most likely. Tell me
who they are: maybe ! know EN-"
The Girl sat upright in the big chair.
Her dark eyes opened wide. and Re-