The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1863-07-07

crimson bloom.
I'll try there 7 calculated Tom, as if
visited by an aspiration.
He ascended the steps, and boldly
rung the bell.
Il see there is bill on this house
Yes, sir; phase walk in and spake to
the missus.'
Tom followed the serving lass into a
bright, neat little parlor, where a lady in
black, with mischievous eyes to CORES
pond, and hair ditto, was clipping dead
leaves off her plants with fairy pair of
scissors. She turned and Mr.. Ashe
bowed.
This house is to let 2
Yes said the ack-eyed, dropping
her lashes pensively. 1t is too large,
and-pardon me--too expensive since
my poor, dear husbands death. for me
to retain
'Ah, indeed =
Would you like to look at it
If perfectly convenient
Well, it was pretty house-neat and
complete in all its appointments as the
dainty widow herself. Tom felt as il he
was approaching the termination Of his
trials.
The wine .cellars-poor Harry used
to be so particular about claret and sher-
ry-furnacc, rooms, all in perfect order ;
Kitchen
Yes, see, said Tom, kneeling down
10 squint scientifically into the range
ovens-a mannuver that might serve to
blind the lady to his total ignorance on
culinary subjects.
It's all right-bakes charmingly,'
said the widow signing sweetly. Hen
ry was rather exact about pies and pud
dings, and
What did you tell me the rent was
ma'am 2
Nine hundred dollars
Not dear, certainly said Tom, com
placenuy. No membranes, | sup
pose .
No. said the widow, dimplng and
blushing, none bat myself =
Yourself ! echoed Tom, blaukly.
I'm not particular in my choice of
rooms smiled the widow your wishes
would Of course be my guide.
Tom stared at her in speechless dis
may.
Il don't think you'd find me very
disagreeable, went on the lady, play ing
with the wide strings of her very becom.
ing widows car. It's only few
months to be sure, since dear Henry
died, but | try to keep up my spirits,
| and
There's some mistake here = gasped
Tom, clammy sweat breaking out
around the roots Of his hair at tie idea
Of being taken possession Of by widow
: | ASS ure you ma'am, | do not want
you !
Not want me 7 shrieked the widow
Did you not come from the agent
WASN'T it the understanding that Il
was to be-to.b be inclu-u-u- -ded q
Mere the widow broke into storm o
hyslerical sobs and tears drowning
Toms vehement assurances that he haC
seen no agent, nor if he had, should b,
have entered into any such absurd com
pact. The more he reasoned the loude
she sobbed, and at length in despair, b,
! retreated, plungng down stairs at tn
rale Of four steps at time I! Not unit
he was full! blocks distance from th
brown. stone front did he venture Il
stop for breath.
The idea = he faltered. Ne, ma
with a wife at home Are people to b
married BY force in this stage of tn
world? Do the laws afford man n
protection save that Of abject fighte /
tell Matte the whole story and see
she'll send me house hunting again in
hurry
And he did. Boiling in upon The n
tonished Matte, he related his hail
breadth escape, pausing ever and ano
to wipe the cold perspiration from b
brow
And it's the greatest wonder | kno
q Of he ended. that she didn't lock n
up in the wine cellar at once. and kec
me prisoner. OF war Yes, laugh, Ma
tie. but it's no laughing matter
For Matte was convulsed with meri
- ment.
You dear, stupid, Tom ! said sh
you're not worth fg to hunt house
p Here give me the list, and you st
"a with baby. Don't be alarmed--ht
% fast asleep
i IL f..