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

Der and disconsolate color then this
fashion OF high pokes with great ro-
settle on top gives even mourning hat
a geneel. jaun'y look. She was far from
being in the deepest of black, her grief
having arrived at the stage which found
expression in a full, white border and
wide white strings Of tucked tarlelon.
We had good opportunity to see all
this, for Capt. Puffer's was side pew
near the pulpit, so everybody could see
her and she could see every body, with
out turning anything but the eyes away
from the minister. Widow Hazel had
snowy black hair, with about an inch OF
forehead beneath it, dark skin and COM
mon-looking gray eyes. But she bad
full, red lips, fine teeth and dimple, and
those can be made TO go great ways by
an adept.
When 1t came to singing. of course
Widow Hazel looked at the singers eve
rvbodv does, else where would be the
use of their wearing brighter ribbons
and more polished dickeys than other
persons Then of course she noticed
the head bass singer anybody would ;
and that was Mr.. Cram, with a forehead
just as much too high as hers was too
low.
Yes, that was Mr. Cram, one of our
likeliest young men, and it's great pity
he hasn't got a likely wife, said Capt
Puffer, going home from church. The
good man, having found the help just
meet for him, commiserated everybody
who had not the like good fortune.
Widow Hazel, taking no notice of the
close Of the captains speech, said de.
murely, If your young people are so
gray haired, suppose YOU consider the
person who came in with to canes, bent
almost double and looking about ninety,
right in the prime of life.'
We'll, Cram is getting old, that is a
fact all the more pity he isn't married.
persisted Capt. Puffer.
Jenny jenkins had the next meeting
of the ladies' relief, ladies relief in
two ways. Primarily as regards our
suffering soldiers, OF course, but second
arily as regards our suffering ladies !;
whose moral kindness of he art and natur-
al love of assembling, thus finds worthy
vent. Societies at Jenny Jenkins were
always lively, she threw so much inter.
est and enjoyment over everything, be-
ing girl who never made a common,
p ace remark or performed the most eve
ry.day act in common manner. But
on this occasion she was quite overshad-
owed by Widow Hazel. who before even
ing had made the acquaintance of every
lady present, and was ready TO commence
on the gentlemen. She made herself So
useful and attractive that we were all
half in love with her, and entirely will.
ing to be overshadowed She knew the
latest styles in dress goods and millinery,
and was equally learned in the newest
modes Of fitting and trimming, and quite
ready 10 impart her knowledge to us,
who were so far in the background that
we received the reflection ol the Empress
Eugenie's glory quite indirectly. Then
she had patterns for hospital slippers,
and the most desirable fashions for shirts
and dressing gowns, while she knew TO a
thread how wide the bsudages should be
torn. In fact before we hardly knew it,
she had constituted herself acting presi.
dent and full board Of directors. simply
in right OF her superior knowledge.
The men, as they came in. gradually
formed IN a large semi-circle /; all intent
on pulling lint, from bald, half blind
Deacon Peck. who worked away as
though he had been husking, to the clus
ter of boys at one end, who pulled lint =
little and gigled a great deal with the
girls. who sat behind them. working
with busy fingers and buster tongues
Mr.. Gam, excuse me, but | have a
great favor TO ask of you. said Widow
Hazel. coming, with her chair and half
bound slipper, behind the center of the
circle. After the hospitable country
fashion. she, as IA stranger, had already
been introduced to every one.
Certainly. | should be most happy 10
serve You, said he.
Not me. but our poor soldiers she
replied. Miss Virginia tells me you
are going TO Boston next week, and |
have sufficient acquaintance with some
members of the sanitary committee there
TO know we eau have all the yarn sent
US we will knit. 81 may we trouble you
TO procure Us some at tho room will
.n,I :, ,.N,, -. 80, - 49,, Nf, IL. Ia H.