Cheyenne record., 1915-02-11

sprig in his hand.
With shaking fingers, Angy sought
a pin hidden beneath her basque. ia
ther. shall l pin yer 'old-man' In yer
buttonhole?" she quavered. Then as
he stopped for her to arrange the
posy, she whispered: II wouldn't care,
'cept fer what folks must say. Les
hurry before any one sees US. l told
everybody that we want a-gwine ter
break up till termorrer mornin'."
Fortunately, there was a way across
lots to the Old Ladies' home, an un-
frequented by-path over field and
through a bit of woodland. which
would bring the couple almost unob-
served to a side gate.
Under ordinary circumstances Ange.
line would never have taken this path;
for 1t exposed her carefully patched
and newly polished shoes to scratches.
her fragile, worn silk skirt and stiff.
white petticoat to brambles. More
over, the dragging Of the loaded little
wagon was more difficult here for
Abraham. But they both preferred
the narrower, rougher way to facing
the curious eyes of all Shoreville now.
the plying windows Of the village
street.
AS the couple came to the edge Of
the woodland, they turned with one
accord and looked back for the last
glimpse Of the home. Blazing gold.
red against the kitchen window famed
the afternoon sunlight.
Look a that" Angy cried eagerly,
as one who beholds promise in the
skies. Jest see, father. we couldn't
a made out that winder this fur at
all Of the sun hadn't struck 1t Jest SO.
declar' it seems almost as ef we
could see the rocker, tew. It's tew bad,
Abe, that we had ter let yer old rocker
60. D. yew remember" she laid
her hand on his arm, and lifted her
gaze, growing clouded and wistful. to
his face. when we bought the chair,
we thought mebbe some day I'd be
rocking a leetle baby in it. Twas
then, yew ricollec'. we sorter got In
the habit Of calm each other father
an mother l wonder ef the young
'uns had come"
Les hurry" interrupted Abe. al
most gruffly. Les hurry"
They stumbled forward with bowed
heads in silence, until Of sudden
they were startled by surprised hail
of recognition, and looked up to IND
themselves confronted by bent and
gray old man. village character.
harmless, slightly demented public
charge known as "Ishmael" or Cap.
tain Rover"
"Whar yew goin'. Cap'n Rose?"
The old couple had drawn back at
the sight Of the gentle vagabond. and
Angy clutched at her husbands arm.
her heart contracting at the thought
that he, too. had become a pauper.
I'm a-takin' my wife ter jine the
old ladies' over thar ter the hum" Abe
answered. and would have passed on,
shrinking from the sight OF himself
as reflected in poor Ishmael.
But the innocent" placed himself In
their path.
"Yew amt a-goin' ter jine 'em tew?"
he bantered.
Abe forced laugh to his lips in re-
sponse.
mo, no; I'm goin' over ter Yaphank
ter board on the county"
Again the couple would have passed
on, their faces flushed, their eyes low
cred, had not Ishmael flung out one
hand to detain them while he plunged
the other hurriedly into his pocket.
Here" He drew out meager hand
full OF nickels and pennies. his vacant
smile grown wistful. Here, take 1t.
Cap'n Rose. It's all got. I can't
count 1t myself, but yew can. Don't
yew think it's enough ter set yew up
in business, so yew won't have ter
go ter the poorhouse? The poorhouse
is bad riace. ] was there last win
ter. don't like the pG5rhouse."
He rambled on of the poorhouse.
Angy. painting for breath, one hand
against the smothering pain at her
heart. was trying, with the other. to
drag father" along. Father" was
shaking his head at 1shmael, at the
proffered nickels and pennies-shak-
Ing his head and choking. At length
he found his voice, and was able to
smile at his would-be benefactor with
even the ghost of twinkle in his eye.
Much obliged, Cap'n Rover; but
yew keep yer money for terbaccy. l
amt SO hightoned as yew I'll take
real comfort at the poorhouse Slong:
thank yer. Slong."
1shmael went on his way muttertng