The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1863-03-31

color neither went nor came, she gave
the impression of blushing to half the
persons present, and all were satisfied she
had lover in the army. Thus the siege
on Mr.. Grams heart and person was
commenced with masked batteries as BY
a skillful general.
The same week when her brother. in.
law, the captain, was going to the mill
on moonlight evening, the Widow Ha.
Eel went with him just for the ride, TAX
ing along the note she wished 10 send to
Boston by Mr.. Cram.
I'll hold Billy if you'll take it in to
him. john said she to the captain.
There was no need, though, for Mr..
Cram SAW them and came directly out,
insisting moreover that the horse should
be tied while they came IN an ate an ap-
pie with him.
They required deal OF urging, espec-
i'iIJ the "iuo", Uut MI SIdiD, otiD8
very proud Of his bachelor.rooms, as
he called them, urged to that degree that
they went in. The liltle parlor was very
cozy and shining, certainly. with pretty
furniture and a few choice pictures but
there was no work Uttered about, as there
should have been to make it homelike !;
only some lonesome looking books, and
a long tobacco pipe. except, however,
a tiny dog that barked as furiously as her
small lungs would allow her, when they
entered
Be quiet, Dot F.! You must excuse
her ILL manners she sees so few ladies
she is afraid of them,' said Mr.. Cram,
preparing to thrust the dog from the
room.
% what dear little dog Do let
her stay and see If cant make friends
with her. exclaimed Widow Hazel,
coaxing the shaggy, silky bit of animal
life, that looked doubtfully up at her.
All, liltle Dot You have greater rea
son for jealousy than you know ! The
widows fascination was as elfeclual with
the dog as with Us, and presently she
was fast asleep in her lap, making a daz
zling contrast with her glossy bIackness
to the slender white hands of the lady.
After his guests had left, Mr.. Cram
found his parlor hal lost its cheeriulness
while the easy chair where
Widow Hazel had been sitting. was SO
dismally and provokingly suggestive
that he turned his back TO it, as lie
sought comfort AMI society in his odious
pipe. Dame Ruth, too, his old house.
keeper, seemed deafer and more unreas,
enable than ever, and altogether lie went
to bed early and didn't sleep very we'll.
1t was possible those tea biscuits hurt
him; dame Ruth always poula put in
almost as much saleratus as she did
-four.
l needn't tell you that the days passed
on, because days always do that, till Mr..
Cram had been to Boston and returned.
The very next day, that the ladies might
have the yarn in season. he went with
the hugh parcel to Capt. Putfer's. You
needn't laugh Widow Hazel sending
for it, don't see why it wasn't proper
for him TO deliver it TO her. o yes, in.
deed How cheerful and homelike it
always seemed at the captains, and this
time more than usual So he staid quite
while, looking at the blazing wood FIRE
in the old iron fire frame, which was a
luxury not out Of fashion there. He staid
so long in fact that it was tea-time, and
never standing on ceremony with the
captain. who was his fellow selectmau,
he readily accepted the warm welcome
to his table. How much more civilized,
to say the least, to sit with smiling, so.
cisl circle. instead of one lone. querulous
old woman.
Your bread is SO nice I'll take anoth,
er slice with your permission, Mrs. Puff
err said Mr.. Cram. thinking of the
doubtful mixture dame Ruth made under
that specific head.
Sister Laura made this; | cart take
the credit CT it, replied Mrs. Putfer, can
didly.
%. making bread is my particular
talent. you must know, Mr.. Cram said
the widow. laughing. and OF course
showing her dimple.
After the bread, followed bewllder
ing series Of wholesome danIies, oil
which dame Ruth would hardly have
known the names.
You mustn't refuse cream cake, be
cause Z made Them Insisted Widow
Hazel, toward the close Of tie past
As Nj Cram was taking his leave, fal
int, thn avauinf, la bappaneI T., tbint 4