The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1869-09-03
BIDDEFORD, ME-, FRIDAY

he wouldn't; he moved towards the rock
ing-chair. and then it occurred to hin
that perhaps It might not be etiquette t.
take the best chair from the lady, 90 h,
vecred for one of Miss Prices hard-bot
toned chairs and sat down ON the edge o
the one next TO ID, with face about The
shade Of scarlet verbenas under July
sun. Miss Price offered to take his hat
mo, / thank you," said Forethought, 81
don't want to make you any trouble;
can hold il myself Just rs well rs not"
Forethought plunged his big hands. just
now terribly spotted. into the depths OF
the crown of his hat, and felt profoundly
grateful that Miss Price could not sec
them there. He only wished he could
dispose of his feet and legs In the same
way. Hiding one foot under tho round
of his chair was vain attempt; he could
only partially conceal IL by the other. lie
never before realized what inconvient
members the hands and feet may be.
"lts very warm day." said he ut
last.
"Why, I've felt chilly all the morning"
said Miss Price.
81 thought II was going to rain last
rtiu
ut did look like Ii, but noticed that
IL was lighter in the northwest before sun
down." replied Miss Price. ....
81 have noticed that il Is very apt to be
pleasant the next day when II clears of
about shutdown" said Forethought.
"They say that's u sure sign, but there's
no trusting In signs" said Miss Price.
ave had powerful rain day before
yesterday" continued Forethought.
VERY hard" responded Miss Price.
1--WE are getting n good deal Of rain
this spring" said Forethought, putting
the most troublesome foot up on his chair
round.
EYES," said Miss Price, "the snow must
be going Off very fast"
'.lt must bc very bad travelling now"
said Forcthought.
"Ycs, suppose II is" said Miss Price.
Forethought had thus far gazed fixcdly
ut the profile portrait of Miss Prices de-
ceased father, which hung over the man.
tel shelf; he vcntured now to glance out
OF the window opposite him. "It's quite
cool out. this morning." said he. Miss
Price made no remark on the change In
temperature. and an awful pause ensued.
Forethought knew this was his time; the
yerbena scarlet became purple spotted;
had the passage To the celestial empire
opened beneath him then, he would have
gone In regardless Of the earth's internal
fires. He had endeavored To prepare HIM
self for the occasion by speech In town
meeting the day before, on the abolition
of the school ''decstrick" system; but the
with this. He crossed one knee over the
other, Ijammed his hands, now recking
with nervous pcrspiration, through the
lining of his hat, and while the big veins
in his forehead corrugated, and his head
reeled, was conscious that he articulated
"Aliss Price, The woryls stuck. &.
"What?" said Miss Price.
Forethought would have welcomed u
nitro-glycerinc explosion in the room; he
heard only the ticking of the clock. Miss
Price was waiting. Forcthought plunged
into the subject boldly, and came out
grandly, rs such men usually do. "Tve
been thinking. Miss Price," said he, "that
YOU nor amt SD young us we were once,
and, rs we grow older, life gets more
lonesome like, and I've been thinking that
perhaps we might get along pretty well
together, If we couldn't do any better
IL you think 1t would be good match,
and arc willing you knowm The delight
Forethought experienced ON becoming con-
scious that he had delivered himself, Is be-
yond words.
Miss Price was greatly astonished. ~
never in my life thought of such thing
rs marrying you, Forethought Tinker"
said she, "and i couldn't tell you whether
/ will or not, this morning, no how"
"Lotme know in couple of days, If
you cam" said Forethought. this time di-
recting his glance rs near Miss Price rs tho
arm of her rocking-chair .and IL were
you wouldn't say anything about 1t out
side, YOU know"
"Not BREATH" said Miss Price ~
haven't lived to my time of life mott know
how folks talk. 1 fhope the Sanford girls
didn't see you come in? ?" Fore-thought
was pretty sure that the Sanford girls did
see him. but he cyaded the interrogation.
ut don't take much TO make story" said
he rising. "Wc've got an extra lot of shoes
down 10 the shop to finish Off this morn
ing. and guess I'd better be going"
Miss Price forgot the secretivcncss she had
wished to maintain. al was Just going
down 10 get some molaSscs, and I'll walk
along with you," said she.
Forethought was in doubt whether it
was etiquette for him to preccdc or follow
Miss Price from the house. He femem-
bercd just then that Esq. Sanford always
waited for the ladies to pass through the
door. and he stood aside for Betsy.
''Just step out Of the way little," said
she, 81 always lock up the door when 80
out"
"Shant take the Jug? asked Fore
thought, when they reached the street.
20, no." said Miss Price, III can carry
IL easy enough"
"Id rather take il than not" said Fore
thought.
at is not n bit heavy" said Betsy.
"Well, you'd better let mo take II any
how" said Forcthought. making playful
dash toward the jug. Miss Price made u
pretty feint Of keeping II away from him.
BY dexterous grab he secured II by the
neck. and Miss Price yielded with be-
witching grsce while the parlor curtains
over Mt the Sanford House were violently
agitated.
As they walked down the street. the
couple discussed the merits of different
styles Of jugs and grades Of molasses
fluently until they reached the store.
Forcthought walked down to the grocery
end ofthe counter with the jug triumphant
ly. Miss Price paused at the dry goods
end, To examine some cheap calicocs bc-
tween her thumb and forciingcr.
"Tll take this jug full of molasses," said
Forcthought.
"Wcst India or sugar house ?" asked
the man WIN wus tvin,y mn, ., ,r,.r ,,f a,