Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1870-10-21

DuJJeIy NF, meanSr WOnOcT now
you heard as far eff as Mslbu1g about my
| taking that prize last falli" T- 4 =
"There / despise myself for making
such Speech" thought the widow, the
moment the words were out. "If
wasn't 30 poor and lonely, and If Dorcas
wasn't 30 terribly trying to live with |"
The steel beads under Mr.. Means eye
brows glittered. a.
"Weil, now, that's good, that's nice,
that's frs'.rate |" he cried, heartily. "You
aren't engaged, ma'am, 1 supposeY"
Mrs. Whalen blushed like Aurora Bore
ais.
"Not positively" she began. Squire
| Linton"
But Mr.. Means cautious spirit again
took ready alarm.
Engaged any where to housekeep, or
the like ?" said he.
"No, I am not engaged any where to
keep house." returned the widow, frigidly,
"and don't know as could be spared from
home. My sisterin-law is subjsct to sick
spells, ana needs me. Besides" added
she, with a look at the garden, which
threatened an early frost to the vegetables,
"I never did such thing in my life, sir,
as to work in any body's kitchen, outside
of my own family and friends. Squire
Linton, poor man, is left with six children.
His wife was particular friend of mine,
and he did try to make some kind of an
arrangement; but haven't quite decided
yet"
The double bow-knot quivered with
outraged dignity.
Mr.. Means suddenly had vision of
handsome Squire Linton stepping in with
plaintive little family, cutting him out.
What was to be done must be done quick
| ly. He cleared his throat and leaned for
ward in the most insinuating manner.
| "Mrs. Whalen," said he, and again the
tone was portentous Mrs. Whalen,
consider that have the first claim over
you. l don't know how young Pitcher
delivered his message; but the truth is,
I've heard you 80 extra well spoken of
that had kind of notion"
Mr.. Means tongue was running away
with him. He bridled it speedily, and
the Eext words were inaudible. A man
with one of the best river farms in the
county might pick up and choose for
wife; it wasn't best to be in hurry.
az had kind of notion" added he, as
happy thought struck him, " of asking
you TO come down to Malburg, ma'am, to
keep house for me spell, and see how
you like it."
81 just remarked to you, sir"
"And see how we both like it, you
know. 1t is always best to start fair"
Sly old fox" thought the widow,
testify. "Catch me going to Malburg on
trial p
MY house is two-story BRICK" con-
tinued Reynard, softly, "door-yard all
round; patent clothes-wringer; little
fourteen year old bound girl, my wife set
the world by-spry as you please; cistern
and pump; one grown-up son and daugh-
ter, amt afraid of work. 1 need some
body to oversee. Come, say you'll CO."
"I-"
"a woman over in Mount Vernon has
been recommended to me; but am salts
fled I'd great deal rather have you"
No answer, save percephble lowering
of the lofty cap strings. Mrs. Whalen,
this time, was having a vision herself
Just such house as she longed for, and
was fitted to adorn. And behold Mount
Vernon woman walking into it, and max
ing herself at home. How cheated the
man was likely to bel 1t could hardly be
otherwise if he went to such "back-
; woodsy" place as Mount Vernon, and
married by recommendation"
Mr.. Means saw the softening of the
widows features. r. n
"Csll it three dollars; and you won't
have much to do but oversee"
"Well, l don't know. If it wasn't for
Squire Linton"
"Call it four dollars, and I'll send nay
top-buggy for you tomorrow"
AFTER all, )" thought Mrs. 'Whalen, ar
guing the point with her self.respect,
/. "why not? 1t is mere matter of b1si-
ness. -Four dollars is a large sum; Ineed
the money; Squire Linton has never
given over two and half"
"Well, really" said she aloud, having
8 kept up appearances with her self-respect.
e II don't know but I'd better go, just
through the press of haying. But
e wouldn't pledge myself to stay day
q longer, Mr.. Means; for, in case time was
set and either one of US was dissatisfied
|, it would be rather embarrassing, you see.
e She spoke with such womanly inde
i pendence and grace that Mr.. Means was
t on the point of exclaiming heartily, "Set
Q the time, ma'sm, dol Set it for life, snc
!. risk It'll"
r But prudence got the better of him, a.
|. usual and on the whole he left the wild
|! owls presence without committing him
self any farther than man with the bes
n farm in the county might do with i'm
punity.
e Squire Linton had to content himsel
y with Nancy Grover, virago with facul
;. ty, but assured himself meekly that b.
?, had no right to be disappointed.
"Well, well, Mrs. Whalen, this is com
p Portable, noW," said Mr.. Means, coming
D into his kitchen one rainy morning, drag
p ging couple of old harness after him
81 always like to be where the folks are,
he continued, settling himself to the worl
re of mending and oiling at one end of tn
es wide stone hearth, while at the other ent
II Mrs. Whalen pours dipper of boiling
n water into the chVrn she was washing
g "She is smart See how she steps |
Or said Mr.. Means to himself, watching he
h from under his palm.lesf hat-brim, wit
Le serene satisfaction. "What you got cook
sr ing here! A soup for dinner, hey" h
le pursued aloud, lifting the lid Of grea
is iron pot on the stove, and letting out
er fragrant steaming cloud into the room
#. "Calista was great hand for 'em. Sh
m used to make the best soups with tn
least meat of any woman ever saw"
ce Calista was the late Mrs. Means and
y her husband had praised her in life as b
ne did in death, she must have been blesse
m among women.
ly 81 always like plenty TO do with whe
l cook" returned the Widow Whalel
re whirling the churn- handle with energ
ne enough to start the Great Eastern.
ge face. "Calista cooked as good as anybod,
but she was always very saUing woman
Is, said he, regretfully.
to Then he sprang up 80 briskly that
/ overset his skillet of grease.
ke "What There there that's too ba
g. now I'd no idea that plsguy skille
at handle was turned round right In my wa
t's But just happened to remember there
OF quite good sized junk of pork.rind 8
away on the top shelf of the cheese sal
II has been overlooked till it's a'mo
Ias ready to take hurt. I'll reach it dow
for you while you're cleaning up Il
nd grease. Calista thought there was not
n" ing like pork for giving favor"
fe There was a toss of Mrs, Whalen's ca
ye- strings, but she said nothing as the pl
t. laundering old diplomat brought to lighI
ly- leathery square of pork rind. "Time
w, put it in now, Mira WhslenH Lee me s
nr,INnh ~