The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1870-10-28
Selected Miscellany.
GOING ON TRIAL.

sfWell, don't know, Squire Linton, I'd
be willing to go and keep house for you
few days" said the widow, playing ner-
vously with the gate-latch. 1know you're
In a pitiful plight with 80 many young
children, and no head. I'd be willing to go
for few days to accommodate you; but, to
tell the plain truth, -am expecting call
tonight from Mr.. Means, of Malburg,
and
s.Indeed-oh, wasn't aware. Don't let
me detain you another minute. said squire
Linton, hurriedly. 'tTye too much of your
time already"
ssNo, indeed" returned the widow,
twisting her handkerchief; 81 was only
going to say promised to see MIR. Means
to-day; but I-tbAt is to say-I can tell
you better tomorrow.
ssNo, no; il is too great favor. ought
not to ask it'll won't ask it. Mrs. Whalen,
sighed Squire Linton, wondering secretly
what business should bring the wealthy
Mr.. Means, of Malburg, all the way to
Durham.
But he was such meek, self-renouncing
man that he never dreamed of pressing his
own claim any farther; and hastily draw
ing up his reins, drove away, reproaching
himself Tor lntruding his forlorn necessity
ald making drsught upon the widows
sympathy.
"Poor, dear soul. Thought Mrs. Whalen,
gazing after him half-regretfully; IF he
had said another word should have gone;
couldn't have held out against his plead
ing. But there, it's just as well, suppose.
Mr.. Means will be along soon. wonder
what he looks like. They say he stands
very high; but, as never saw the man, OF
course 1 can't make up my mind what to
say to him yet.
Before Squire Linton was halt way back
TO his 'sheadless home with his loaves of
bakers bread and ginger bread, and humps
of frovy butter, the widow was standing
opposite the little square window ia her
bedroom, tying the strings of her new law
ender cap. What she had remarked to
herself was perfectly true; she had not made
MP her mind what she would say to Mr..
Means; q great deal would depend upon
what he should say to. her.
"Ahem I" calculated be, as he entered
the little sitting-room down stairs. Mrs.
Whalen, i suppose? I am Israel Means
of Malburg. Hope see you well, ma'am p
ssRasher q good-looking man, now, l am
sure" thought the smiling widow, offer
inc him a chair ''A little centrihed, per-
haps, but what of that ?"
ssMiddlin' warm weather, ma'am, added
Nh. Means, with an admiring glance at
his hostess, whose personal charms rather
exceeded his expectations. "Just tine
weather for cheese and no weather at all
for butter"
$50 should think sir. Have fan 2"
said Mrs. Whalen, her mouth looking as
If butter wouldn't melt in it even in dog
days.
ssMrs. whalen r. said Mr.. Means, &C
cepting the fan, and with it the right
thumb of the embarrassed lAdy-"Mrs.
Whalen r.
The words were nothing, but the tone
was portentous. The widow wished she
had kept the fan; she began to feel the
need Of breath of air.
ssMrs- Whalen, suppose You may be
aware, ma'an. that I-ahem-called with
g view To-"
MIR. Means made double period, looked
up to the ceiling for the rest of the SEN
tence, and not finding it flashing out there
as in the days of Belshazzar, bent an ap
pealing glance at the widow, who Was GER
tairly in no state to help him out,
"Ahi lob !" she faltered, while her come
ly brunette face showed very fine combi
nation of solferino and bismarck. ''Oh
Ahr
Mr.. Means saw the betraying color viii
his quiek gray eyes.
sfisng Il said he to himself; ''the wo.
man needn't take me up before get the
words out of my mouth % ''Mrs. Whalen
I suppose you may be aware, ma'am, tha
I cGlled-any body with a pair of eyes IL
their head can see I've called. No off ns'
Ihope2 1 was coming up this way, and
Moses, my nephew, kind O. put it in m!
head that I'd better drop in"
eyes sir" was the faint reply.
Was that all he meant then? And her
she had been expecting- Oh Nose
Pitcher the blsck-eyed imp of mischief
Couldn't he be in better business thai
going round to widows houses, making be
heys old uncles were coming TO offer them
selves? Moses was pitcher with lsrg
ears and q very large mouth. He ha'
heard more than his uncle had ever said
and told great deal more than he hat
heard And now, deceived by his speciou
hints, she had gone and bought lRvende
ribbon and q kem-stitched handkerchief
Would she ever hear the last OF it from sis
ter Dorcas
did in death, she must have been blesse
among women.
81 always like plenty to do when cook,
returned the widow Whalen, whirling th
churn-handle with energy enough to stal
the Great Eastern.
A shadow ripplea over Mr.. Means face
'sOalista cooked ss good as anybody; bI
she was always very sGUiEg woman, sal
he regretfully.
The he fprang up 50 briskly that b
oyerset his skillet of grease.
sWhatl There therel that's too bst
novl I'd no idea that plaguy skillet hal
die was turned round right in my way
But I irst happened to remember there's
good sided junk of pork-rind set away
the top shelf of the cheese-safe. 1t hi
been overlooked till it's almost ready
take hurt. III reach it down foryou whi
"Wsnt to knowl Then you understan
all about the work. How do you ike 1t
asked Mr.. Means, moving his chair q hit
nearer the window overlooking the yeget
BILE garden, by which Mrs. Whalen sat
ssWork is work. always like anythir
that 1 have to do" returned the widow
curtlv.
ssEyer made any cheese2"
Mrs. Whalen laughed at the veakne
Of the question.
aCheese is rather my strong point, " sa
she, with dignity.
"Ah hog is itabout butter? General
had D retty good luck with that" CONT
ned b or catechist, taking up his chair, 81
bringing it over By the window