The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-06-13
BIDDEFoRD, MAINE, FRIDAY MORNING,
.Biddv, Biddv ,bould like to know

.NS"Sh "hhS yos etS ohfSa
in the parlor?' said Geraldine, poking her
black face through the door.
After this Mr.. Cobb and Mr.. 'Wiggin dozed
before the FIRE, until the musical clock on
the mantel mentioned that il was nine OF the
night, when they were aroused by Mrs. Dan
vers, who came in dressed for q party, and
looking 'as though she had been done up at
a laundaly,' Mr.. Wigsin told Polly.
Il hope you are entertaining yourselves
said she. The Doctor and | have an en-
gagement this evening, so trust you will
excuse us, and make yourselves comfortable.
If you would like to retire before We return,
Geraldine will show you your ROOM
Il reckon these ere folks would suit Col.
Dempster's taste to T, but give me good
plain farmer living, and farmer manners,
remarked Mr.. Wiggin, as he blew out the
gas in his bed.chambcr.
will not waste your time describing the
atmosphere in tho house by the time Geral-
dine had discovered which gaspipe was leak
ing, except to say with Mr.. Wisgin that 1T
scented most killingly.'
we must try to get of as early as we
can this morning. said he, some time before
cock-crowing, in hopeless tone. But not
half hopeless enough, being accustomed as
he was to the thrifty housewiiery of Mistress
Polly.
1t was quite nine o'clock before breakfast
was served, and 1t consisted Of wafllles and
omelets.
If you ever como our way, you will al
ways find the latch.strings out, with me and
my wife ready to return this favor, after our
plain, poor homespun STYLE said MIR. Wig
gin, in his wholc-souled, hearty fashion, by
way of taking leave. As he spoke, he leaned
back SO heavily in the light dining.chair that
its frail framework gave audible expression
of dissatisfaction with its huge burden {; and
when he sprang suddenly up it fell broken
at his feet,
III they do come, they will find chairs that
want made merely to be looked at, and that
are stout enough to bear up mosquito =
said he in monologue.
When he found himself and Mr.. Cobb
fairly outside the door OF Doctor Danvers' ,
hc gave grunt Of relief, saying Il don't
never desire to set foot among your fashions
BILE gentry again, rs long as my name is Ne
hemiah wiggin! I had rather for the pleas.
uro of it be put to breaking stones on the
highway. Now that's so! And III tell
you one thing more, the first tavern we come
to. after leaving this famine place, ] shall
stop and take bite Of something or other
to stay my stomach
You would have thought so to have seen
him eat. Sausages, ham, potatoes, cabbage,
and brown bread disappeared like vegetation
at the time Of the plague Of locusts in Egypt.
until he had made ample amends for all past
omission.
It was showing when they left the hotel,
and showed thicker and faster us the day
wore away, but the travellers kept on going
hither and thither, as they heard Of farmer
Dobson's fat two-year old, and farmer some
body elses likely yearlings.
I've a proposition to make to you said
Mr.. Wiggin, as daylight began to fail. Il
put up at my cousins tonight, neighbor
CobbT
Neighbor Cobb didn't know as he had any
objection. but preferred to leave the matter
altogether with him.
Then it is settled in few words. We
will co. returned Mr.. Wiggin. Il don't
know exactly for positive where cousin Otis
lives, but it's somewhere among these ere
hills; and one thing am certain about, we
shan't be bothered with any Of that are mas.
ty-smelling stuff for to light up the rooms
with, and there won't be moro cloth and sl.
YER ware on the table than is needed, I'll
warrant you that. Cousin Otis folks ain I
none of your stuck-up gentry, or am mis-
taken, though l han't seen none of them
these twenty years
The chase for cousin Otis house was q
long and treacherous one; but after losing
the way several times, buiIctnga fierce north
caster till far into the evening, they camc in
sight Of dim light, which was supposed to
show the haven they sought.
Mr.. wiggin jumped from the sleigh, and,
cropping his way to the door, raped loudly
with his whipstock. This call was answered
by woman and two large dogs. The man
of few words was not long in making him.
self known. Most obedient, ma'am! Does
Otis wiggin live herc2 II so, his cousin
Nehemiah has come to ses him from Massa-
chusetts, and I'm the man.
Before he had finished speaking the joy Of
the welcome began. Sure enough, Otis -
It's YOUR cousin Nehemiah come from the
old Bay State in this storm purpose to see
us; only thing ont!
Otis had already retired for the night, but
his bedroom and kitchen being one, he did
not wait to dress before joining his welcome
with his wife's. well now, I never did -
This is better than gold diamond, ain't it,
IIepsy? Who'd believed it! Clean from
the old Bay State. We han't had such a
treat as cousin to see US these ten years,