The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1870-05-12
CAPTAIN BEN'S CHOICE,
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"Dear me, Captain Luudy, l could
MT think of it. Paul's folks expect me
to stay with them while the boarder-
season lasts, ard I've as good as prom
ised Jacobs wife III spend the winter
with her,"
"Ain't that hard life you are laying
out for yourself? And then bum by
you will get old or sick ma be and who
is going to want you around theni
Every woman needs a husband of her
own to take care of her"
"Im able to take care of myself as
yet, thanks to goodness And / am
not afraid my brothers will see me suf-
fer in case of Sickness" returned Miss
Doolittle, her cheeks flaming up like
Sumach in October.
But had MT you better take a little
time to think it overt Ma be it come
sudden to you," pleaded Captain Ben.
fNo, l thank you. Some things
don't need thinking over" answered
Miss Doolittle, plucking at the barber
ries more diligently than ever.
II wish Lyddy was here She would
convince you you are standing in your
own light" returned Lyddy's widower
in a perplexed tone.
II don't need one to come from the
dead to show me my own mind" re.
torted Miss Doolittle, firmly.
"WelI, like enough you are right"
said Captain Ben, mildly,putting a few
stems of barberres in her pail "Ina'
be t would Mt be best don't want
TO be rash"
And with that he moved off, on the
whole congratulating himself he had not
decided to marry Miss Doolittle.
81 thought, after she commenced her
miserable gift of the CAB, that Lyddy
used to be free to admit she had a fiery
tongue, for all they were such friends.
And I'm all for peace myself l guess,
on the whole, ma be she amt the one
for me, perhaps, and it is as we'll to
look further HhyI what in the world!
Well, there! what have | been thinking
of? There is Mrs. Davids, as neat as a
new cent, ana the master hand to save.
She is always taking oni and she will
be glad enough to have somebody to
look out for her,-why, sure enough
And there | was right at her house this
very day, and never once thought Of
her! What an old Ounce!
But, fortunately, this not being a sin
of commission, it could easily be recti-
fed; and directly Captain Ben had
turned about and was trOtting again
toward the red house ON the beach.
"Pound for pound of the best white
sugar." he heard Miss Tame say as he
neared the door.
"White sugar." repeated Mrs. Da-
vids, her usual sigh drawn out into
little groan. "Whiie sugar for cram
berriesl Whoever heard of such
thingH I've always considered l did
well when l had plenty of brown!"
''Poor creeterP' thought Captain
Ben. elbow she will enjoy getting
into my pantry. Lyddy never com
planned that she didn't have enough of
everything to do Nth"
And in the full ardor of his intended
benevolence, he went right in and
opened the subject at once. But, to
his astonishment, Mrs Davids refused
him. She sighed, but she refused him.
"Pve seen trouble enough already,
without my rushing into more with my
eyes wide open," sighed she.
TROUBLES Why, that is just what
/ was meaning to save you" exclaimed
the bewildered widower. "Pump right
in tie house, and stove e'enamost new
And Lyddy never knew what it was to
want for spoonful Of sugar or a pound
of -four. And such handy buttery and
sink! Lyddy used to say she felt the
worst about leaving her buttery OF any
thing"
"Should thought she would" an
swered Mrs. Davids, forgetting to sigh.
"However, can't say that feel any
hankering after marrying a buttery.
I've got buttery-roOm enough here,
without the trouble OF getting set up in
a new place"
"Just as you say" returned the re-
iected. ~ amt sure as you'd be ex-
actly the one. Was thinking of
looking for somebody little younger"
"Well, here is Persis Tame Why
don't you bespeak herl She is young
er, and she is in need of good home.
| | can recommend her, too, as the first
rate of cook" remarked Mrs. Davids,
benevolently.
Miss Tame had been sitting little
apart by the open window, smiling to
herself.
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