North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1865-02-22

s'Bless your dear soul | know it's hard :;
; but, as my husband says, "We'd ought to
thank the Lord that it's as we'll with us as it
is."
81 suppose you'll sell'the place, most like
) ly 2" said Mrs, Krittrodge, presently, at
was well enough" she said to herself, "for
, Margaret to begin to think of those things.
'Twould take up her mind"
Sell the old place Margaret had never
thought of such a thing before. And yet,
why not :? She could not manage the farm
herself Besides. it was all she had-its val
ue might be more available in some other
form. So she replied, quietly enough:
"I don't know that there will be any other
way"
"Yes was tellin' him"- Qor good Mrs.
Kittredge there seemed to he but one sub
stantitive posSib to this personal pronoun)
Il was tellin' him this mornin' that there'd
be enough that would be glad to buy the
Frear Farm. It's under good cultivation,
and the buldn'S all in good repair. There's
Squire Varrum now, he'd be glad to ia ke the
ten acre lot long side O. his mowln' and
for the rest ont, there's my brother Hall
lookin' round for farm for Zmri. He's
layn' out to be married this fall, you know"
cob, Pm sure there would be no difficulty
in disposing OF it." for the sake of making
some reply. Her thoughts were too busy
just then for her 10 talk.
1t was sudden this plan Of selling the old
homestead A little like taking the ground
from beneath her feet, it seemed to her, and
she hardly knew what would become of her
afterwards. Mrs. Kittridge's thoughts must
have been nearly in the same place, for she
asked.
"And what are you intendir' to do, Mar
g'ret 70
"Indeej hardly had thought yet, Mrs.
Kittredge. Perhaps might take room
somewhere and board myself, and teach the
district school," she said.
"Now that sounds sensible; and as for
room you're welcome to come to our house. |
"Thank you,'' said Margaret, and Mrs |
Kittrldge went on;
II can't help thinkin' Marg'ret, how most
any girl situated as you are would be think
in o getting married, and having home of
their own. But that amt your way"-
This was said in deprecatory tone, and Mrs |
Kittredge gave Margaret's face searching
look. The face told no tales which she |
could read. There was only little witch
ing about the mouth; so the good woman
shutting littlc in her chair, and knitting |
with speed perfectly incredible, proceeded
as she would have said, to 'free her mind.'
"Now, Mirg'ret, suppose you'll think
like enough l. IN meddIm' with what don't
concern me but l must tell you It we al
ways wondered, my husband and I. that yo u
couldn't seen yer way clear not to take up
with Squire Varnum's offers"
Margaret's white face Redeemed. Mrs |
Kittridge noted it, and took courage.
"He's professor and, so fur's know |
consistent man. Be sure he's good deal |
older'n you, but after woman's twenty-five
that don't signify, And mebbe his children, !
eight of'm, might be an objection with
some felix's. But you're good -.pered.-
You'd get along we'll enough. ~ them
another thing, whoever goes there'll have
enough to do Nth, for the Squire's property
an, there amt a mean streak about the man.
| 'Tan't too late to think ont row. The
Squire, he said as much to him the other
day, Hadn't you better now, Marg'ret ?"
"Mrs. Kittredge!'
Six consectiYe stitches were let down upon
Mrs Kittredge's stocking that instant, SO
startled was she by the tone in which her
name was spoken. Margarst was sitting
forward in her chair, bright red spot burn
ed upon either cheek, and her eyes had
little flashing light i'll them.
"Mrs. Kttridge, you must never speak to
to me about this again-this, or anything
like it," And she began counting her stitch
es in quick, nervous way.
"Well, we Il, child, went then I'm sure.
I only wanted ye to do what's fer yer own
good about it. You won't think hard O.
me for speakrnout? she ad led apologeti
cally.
"Hard of you Indeed won't,' replied
Margaret; and then, comprehending sudden.
ly that she might have wounded her good old
friend by her quick manner, the girl left her
chair and crossed over her, and smoothing
the woman's gray hair, said, 81 should be an
migrate to lay up any thing against the best
friend have in the whole world"
"No, no, dear heart; then we won't say
another word. But here, tits four, o'clock,
and must 60. And, Marg'ret, supposing
you just walk along with me, and sit down
an have a cup O. tea with my husband an
me. Mehbe 'twould do you good to talk ov
er matters with him. You know your mo-
ther was in the habit o. consultin' him about