Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1870-09-09

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jokes, although he was unusually par
ticuIar about his clothes. Nathan, thu
younger brother, kept nudging anC
poking Asa; and twice he made hin
downright Vexed, so that Uncle BeT
was obliged to speak, although there
was queer, dry smile curling round
his lips at the time. Aunt Prissy
pricked up her ears and opened he1
eyes, and wondered what was to pay
but she was too proud to ask.
II should just like to know Whai
Asa brought home from Milton in that
big paper bundle" said she, trottine
out after her sister-in-law into the
sweet miIk-roOm.
''Why, did he bring home a bundle?'i
inquired Mrs. Babbett. taking off a
skimmerful of thick, yellow cream,
and looking half guilty at her pretense
of ignorance.
Yes, of course, he did; and you
know it well enough, Mirandy. There's
some conjuring going on in this house,
that you're all trying to hide from me
but, thank the Lord, my curiosity
won't kill me 20 And she fIounced
back into the sitting-room before Mrs.
Babbett could devise an answer.
In spite Of her offended dignity, the
old lady kept thinking of that bundle,
and at last she opened the chamber
door, and crept up the stairs, and slip
ped into Asa's room softly pulling ont
the bureau drawer, for fear Mirandy
should hear squeak and guess what
she was about
81 yum !" she exclaimed, almost
aloud, ''if here amt bran new suit of
clothes; the finest kind ofbroadcloth, as
smooth and shiny as sating, every bit
good enough to be married in, and bet
ter than his father ever had since the
day he was born. The extravygant
dog! 1 wonder what he wants of a
white vest ?''
Aunt Prissy let her investigations
some tasteful neekties, evidently right
cut Of the store, and packet of what
appeared to be gloves, although she
didn't dare 30 open it; and bottle, as
she said to herself, t'of that nasty scent
stuff folks nowadays smear onto their
observation-disclosures. Pughp (and
she put it to her nose) SID as soon
smell a pigweed."
When Mrs Babbett came into the
sitting-room, ready to slick up a bit,
after her mornings work, there Aunt
Prissy sat by the little cornering win
dow, with the dimity curtain futter-
ing in the fresh breeze, and breaking
the shadows of the morning-g1orY
vines and balsams opening white and
red in the lite strip of brown bed be-
meath. The Jerome place looked Just
as open and inviting as usual, with
dew clinging to the pink roses about
the porch and pair of tripping hands
playing a merry tune on the piano.
Aunt Prissy had forgotten her tiff, and
thought best to conceal her discovery
concerning the clothes.
'sLand o. Goshen - said she, all of a
sudden, 'tif there amt our Asa going
into the Jerome's front-gate. What
aren't can he have at this time o. day?
And Henry Fisher has just hitched
his horse by the post. I think them
girls ought to be ashamed of them
selves. Uncle Abner is coming out
now, and MatiIdy has run out after
back of her head, all frizzled and frow-
zled. I don't see how anybody can
call that girl purity. She's a fussing
around the old man, brushing his
coat and quirking up his hair, and he
looks as pleased as Cuffy. I do be-
lieve Uncle Alb is getting childish.
Mercy on US, Melindy, Elder HalIeek
has just aruv' in his shay and. they've
brought some chairs out onto the stoop.
and Uncle Alb has gone round the
house with him. I've as good a mind
as ever had to eat to happen over
and see what it's all about. Couldn't
you trump up some excuse for me.
Melindy? You know I don't want to
have it appear as if I mistrusted any
thing.'
ssYou might borrow a nutmeg re-
piled Mrs. Babbett, demurely, looking
down at her work. II thought I Should
make some cake and we are just out.''
'FThat's the ak said Aunt Prissy.
So she put on her Shaker, and trotted
across the road. The moment she was
out of the house, Mrs. Babbett burst
into hearty laugh; and Uncle Ben,
who appeared to have been lying con-
cealed in the Woodshed, came in and
sitting down, went off into regular
1.-THE cats out of the bag by this
time, Melinda" said he, when he
could manage to speak. t'And won't
the old lady steam? should just like
to see her"
.'I am afraid we haye carried the
thing too far, ," returned Mrs. Babbett.
''She won't get over it easy"
Meanwhile, Aunt Prissy had travers-
ed the pleasant, shady dooryard of the
jerome place, and mounted the 'front.'
steps. The front-door was standing
wide open. She walked in with neigh
borly freedom, and tapped at the par
lor-door, which was lightly aiar. A
low, murmurOus, humming, buzzing,
cooling sound appeared to issue from
the apartment; but still no voice said
''Walk in" The old lady's impatience
grew apace and at last she gave the
door push, and entered the room un-
hidden. Good gracious what a sight
met her eyes. There sat Harry An
drews ''snuggled," as she afterWard
expressed it, close up to TiIly Jerome.
with his arm tucked costly round her
waist; while the young lady herself
looked dustered and rosy, with the OBJ
noxious rag-bag somewhat discompos-
ed.
''Ain't you ashamed of yourself, Ma
tildY Jerome" cried Aunt Priss. point
bn1. 1nnor f. ruoTS wit n oh zoo
dignatiOn expressed on every feature,
sstO be sparkling with a Young man
right here in open daylight?''
NAnd why shoulden't we be spark
ing?" cried Henry Andrews, as bold as
brass, holding Tilly a little tighter,
''when we mean to be married to-mor.
row?''
Aunt Prissy was stunned and dazed
She felt as if she had been suddenly
taken with the blind staggers. With.
out another word, she walked ont o-
the room as straight as a candle, HeJ
ideas were so completely obfuscateC
that, instead of going out of the front
! door, she proceeded down little pass
ageway and on to a back-porch that
| led into the vegetable garden. BEHIND
/ a screen of lilac and SNOWFALL bushe,
voices were issuing and peals of merry
/ laughter.
Those were the tones of Asa Babbett
1 l6E IdNQE1bS u6J 6Jn6Ws aunt HTISSEfi
heart stood still, and then gave a grea-
| jump.
''The old lady don't suspect a thing,
said he. 'There never was such com
pIete sell.
''I'm almost sorry you played sucl
prank; for want her to learn to Iik
me-" 1t was Sophy Jerome voice tina
| uttered these words.
Aunt Prissy waited to hear no more
In a towering rage, she few down tn
steps, and presented herself before tn
astonished pair, who naturally change
their position in haste and turned
variety of bright colors.
aYou hain't fooled the o1d woma
quite so bad as you thought to!'' sh
cried, with her eyes flashing and th
specs just ready to tumble off the ii
of her nose.
Asa saw he must face the music; s
he tried to laugh it off. 'fDon't max
too serious a thing of it, .Auntie," sal
he, in eoaxing tone. fSophy amt
bit to blame. I did it all for a iok
/ and ment to confess and beg pardo
before went to bed to-night.''
"Ididn't think you'd do such thin
!, Asa Babbett,n and a series of dT
I twiehes began to convulse the old l.