Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1870-03-24

tWo : Of0om-sJlchs thaI leullet
against her tub
Unlike Mrs. Dayids, Mrs. Keeni
neitl er pitied herself nor would al
low anybody else to do so
'Sho !" remarked Captain Ben
feeling defrauded. He had counted
on sacrificing himself to his sym
pathies, hut he didn't give up yet
"You must see some pretty tough
times, pears to me with such par
Gel of little ones, and only your
self to look to-" said he, proceed
ling awkwardly enough to hang the
pile Of wrung-out clothes upon an
empty line.
81 don't compliant" returned the
widow, brayely. "My children are
not teuSome; and Jack, why you
would be surprised to see how many
things Jack can do, for all he isn't
quite right" .
AS she spoke thus with affection
ate pride, Jack came up wheeling
roughly made cart filed with wet
bathing clothes from the beach
He looked up at the sound Of his
mothers voice with something Of
the dumb tenderness Of an intelli-
gent dog Jack helps, Jack good
boy" said he, nodding with hap
py smile.
"Yes, Jack helps. We don't
complain" repeated the mother.
"It would come handy, though,
to have man around to see to
things and kindo' provide, wouldn't
it, thought 2" persisted Captain
Ben.
"Some might think so,' replied
Mrs. Keens, stopping her wringer
to reflect a little. but ] havn't
any wish to change my situation"
she added, decidedly, going on
with her work.
"Sure on II" persisted the Cap
tain.
"Certain," replied the widow.
Captain Ben sighed. 81 thought
ma be you was having hard row
to ohoe, and | thought like enough"
What he never said, excepting
by q beseechiug glance at the cheer
full widow, for just then an inter
ruption came from some people af-
ter bathing suits
So Captain Ben moved off with
dismal countenance. But before
he had gone far it suddenly bright
ened. ut might not be for the
bost," quoth he to himself. Like
enough not. | was very careful
not to commit myself, and I am
very glad | didn't" He smiled as
he reflected on his judicial wari-
ness. but, however" he contin-
ued, 81 might as well finish up this
business now There is Rachel
DoolittIe. Who knows but she'd
make a likely wife? Lyddy sot
good deal by her. She never had
a quilting or a sewing bee but what
nothing would do but she must
give Rachel Doolittle an invite. =
Yes, / wonder | never decided on
her before, She will be glad Of
home, sure enough, for she has to
live around, as it were, upon her
brothers,
Captain Ben's feet quiokened
themselves at these thoughts, and
had almost oyertaken his head,
when behold at a sudden turn in
the road, there stood Miss Rachel
Doolittle, picking berries from a
wayside bush. "My sakes If she
amt right here, like Rachel in the
Bible n calculated Captain Ben,
raking heart at the omen,
Miss Doolittle looked up from
under her tied-down brown hat in
surprise at such a salutation. But
her surprise was increased by Cap
tain Ben's next remark.
sit just came into my mind
said lie, "that you was the right
one to take Lyddy's place. You
two used to be such great knit-ups !
that it will seem 'mostlike having
Lyddy back again. No. he con
tinued, after a little reflection, II
don't know of anybody ] had rath
or see sitting in Lyddy's chair and
wearing Lyddy's things than your
self"
Dear me, Captain Lundy, ! !
couldn't think ofit. Pauls felix's /
expect me to stay with them while
the boaFder season lasts, and I've
as good as promised Jacobs wife
III spend the winter with her."
Saint that a hard life you are
laying out for yourself2 And then
bum by you will get old or sick,
ma be, and who is going to want
ybu around then2 Every, woman
needs a husband Of her own to take
care of herr r.a lu5a III
4Pm able to take care Of myself
rs vet, thanks to goodness And
am not afraid my brothers will I
Zee me suffer in case Of sickness
Ieturned Miss Dqolittle, her cheeks
tanning up like a sumachin Octo-
oer.Fu ci Misl3sd3 = lBa .a9ms.gol,
"But hadn't you better take a lit
lie time to think it over? Ma be
t come, sudden to you,H pleadrd
Captain Ben.
'1No, / thank You. Some things
lent need thinking oPerPanswered
Miss Doolittle, plucking at the ber-
lies more diligently than ever.
at ,vish Teddy was here. She