Polk County news. [volume] (Benton, Tenn.) 191?-1983, 1918-09-19
Herrnine's
Neighbors
~ EDITH WELLS

(copyrighf. fSla. ~ the Mcclure HsWspA-
Per synd1cAaal
The good neIghbor rocked back and
forth slowly before the cracking bank
Of embers on Hermine Whipple's
hearth. and from time TO time slipped
the cup Of steamIng chocolate that
Hermine had set beside her on the
little teakwood stand
1T really does seem q shame. Her
mine" she said, rocking back. shat
you should have no one to share II
WITH" rocking forward and looking
through spectacles into Hermine's face.
Then a sip OF the chocolate. my hus-
band said only this morning. What a
shame that there are no nice bachelors
about here'-you mustn't mind. Her
mine, that Is just his way-what
shame there isn't some one to share
that nice warm house these cold days
and really, must say. Hermine. this
is the warmest place I've been In for
days With coal so short and the
wind so DIppIng. I'm sure I don't see
how you do 1t. Why. this fire here
makes the room perfect, and It's not
bit close, either"
Hermine leaned over In her rocker
and reffiled the neighbours chocolate
cup from the chocolate pot that she
kept warm By the side of the hearth.
The cups are very small" she urged,
and then: "Oh. it's just the way these
CRATES are built. Then, you know. my
grandfather made quite hobby Of
laying fires, and old Rachel and /
learned from him. But I'm sory," she
smiled. ''that no one can share IL Do
come often. II you ind II comfortable.
and I'll try to get some Of the factory
girls to come up for supper. There
are some who are really quite In dis
tress this winter. They must be cold"
"Oh, II isn't the poor only who suffer.
Why, no one can get coal, and most
folk haven't the knack you have with
wood fires. Why. Mrs. Dalrymple has
not mad any coal for week, and real
ly she has to stny in bed to keep warm.
She tells people she's III; bot she told
me In confidence that II was simply
that she hated to get mp In the cold.
And there Is Mr.. Denslow Grny, next
the neighbor looked mp
from her chocolate cup and rocked
forward at the same time. to study
face. 'Mr. Gray. you know.
hasn't any coal at all, and they say
that he has all sorts Of money. in spite
Of the way he Mves-alone In TINT big
house, with Just his man Moses. I'm
really afraid he'll take pneumonia.
Poor Mr.. Grayi It seems 30 strange
be never married. Still. he isn't old
only forty, and suppose there are q |
good many women would be glad to |
have him. Stll he must be very coli
there And then, rising TO go. Il
neighbor murmured on: II am 50 giE'
that You are warm enough. Hefmina.
Yes. I'll come again real coon, you are
70 comfortable"--then draining her
delicious chOcolatei"
Hermine. saw her good neighbor to
the door. and then calling through q
ioor that led to the kitchen she sum-
noned her woman Of all work apd sole
Rachel. The plump old
.olored woman hobbled in and. taking
he chair the good neighbor had va
.ated, answered Hermine's questions.
Yes, old Moses had been begging Q lit
lie wood from their plentiful pile every
He said the master had mo
,oal, and Moses rheumaux ives so
,ad he could cut no wood till It got [
warmer. The GOLD weather always
'tfffened Moses" arms Just that way.
.Piease tell Moses tomorrow" said
with confidential tone to
Ter good woman, "that he can't have
my more wood. Tell him-but not as
I suggested it-that you think II they
want more wood Mr.. Gray had better
six me for It And, Rachel, you might
rider two nice chickens tomorrow
me for that soup you make with the
Jumbo and another to roast: and see
hat Sou have o good fire in the range;
nd you might make cruilers tonDof-
ow-aDd II Noses begs any crullers
or Mr.. Cray You tell him he can't
ave them" !
The colored woman looked her sur
rise, but only rocked back and forth.
Yes, Miss Hermine," she said, Il al
rays did think You were too good-it's
long time I've had to hand crullers
nd things over the fence on account
( Mr.. Gray. ! certainly think you
re showing good sense. Miss Hermine.
reckon Mr.. Gray WIN be pretty cold
'ithous the wood. but II sure does
exvs him right"
The next day Moses begged FOR wood
, vain, and at ten o'clock the mOrningl
fter Mr.. Gray HIMSELF called and
sked to see Miss Hermine. II was
lost unusual occurrence. There was
Of, as some Of the neighhors sup
osed, any feud between the houses
{ Whipple and Gray, but for ten years
he bachelor had never called on his.
pinster neighbor. Then Hermine, re-
ntly left alone In her rambling old
ouse, was twenty-five and Densiow
ray was thirty. &c had called often
len, till sossiping tongues had cut
Is Calls short. He had heard through
loses that nelghbors were expecting
d engagement between himself and
In uaiohhor ouyA M onnAvad WAS ha |,