The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1870-12-01

-but-what shall say?"
81 should say yes if I were in your
place"
"But, joe"
"Look here, Ruth" and Joe over
turned the saucepan in his enthusiasm.
Heres where it is. Would you rather
be my wife or my stepmothcr"
"Joep
CAS- if you hadn't suspected it all
along, you little demure kitten Come,
don't keep me in suspense !"
He put both his hands, with sort OF
imperative tenderness, on her two wrists,
looking with his full, brilliant hazel eyes
into her shrinking, rose-red, smiling face.
LET me go, Joe, quick The turkey
is scorching-l smell itw
mot one step" was the firm reply.
But it is burning! !" cried Ruth, pite-
ously. "Oh, Joe, please !"
"Not until you have decided my des-
tiny. Yes or no."
Yes, then, you provoking fellow p
And Ruth, highly resenting the kiss of
FACTION which Mr.. Joe stopped to possess
himself of, ran to the oven.
."It's burned l kne'o it would be ~
she breathed.
"Not a bit Of it," said Joe, critically
surveying the royal bird over her shoul-
der. Its just beautifully Drowned"
"No thanks to y0u! !" said Ruth, petu-
lantly Smuggling her shoulders as she re-
closed the oven, after basting and turn
ing its contents in a most scientific man
ner. "Now, help me set out the table,
for Tn getting dreadfully behindhand ;
and what will your father say when he
comes home from church and finds din
ner not ready"
at shall be readyw said Joe, solennly.
"I tell you, Ruth, you don't know half
the resources of my my character as yet ~
i +
"That was proper good sarmon,
said Deacon Obed Carey, pulling down
the brim of his fur cap to protect the
extreme tip of his nose from the driving
snow. "Boys, walk along straight, and
don't be lettering behind like lot O
Sandwich Island heathens. Yes, an edi-
fyin' discourse-apples O gold in pictures
Of silver. 1 wish Ruth had a-heerd it,"
81 hope the turkey'Il be ready when
we get home," said Hosea, smacking his
lips.
"You needn't be afeard, Hosy,"
answered the sire, complacently. Ruth
Skinner understands her business as well
as the next one. She is stirrin', smart
gal as ever l see, and economical too !!
l never shall forget how bad I felt the
fall arter your mother was took away,
seein' Hepsy Duckett dress chickens
slingin' the gizzard and liver away like
l. f,,l y, 4 II, 1,rl
Ruth last night. I tell ye my heart
jumped up into my mouth when she come
to the giblets But she washed 'em clean,
and she chopped 'em up fine, with bread
crumbs and pepper and salt to make the
stuifin', and says 1 to myself, Many
darters have done virtuously, but thou
excellest them all = To see the way she
wrings out her dishcloth, too-it would
melt heart o stun p
Hosea looked at his father with the
slightest soupcon of twinkle in his eyes,
and began to whistle under his breath
The deacon walked on, lost in his own
blissful reflections.
The Thanksgiving-dinner was ready
culinary triumph-as the churchgoers
came in, bringing Whit of keen north
dering of snow on their broad shoulders.
The turkey himself, brown, glistening
and unctuous, lay in the centre of the
board, with wings meekly folded and
breast distended with aromatic stufing,
while, ranged round him, quivered pink
and amber jellies, and crimson cranber-
ry-tarts blushed through their lattice
work Of putf-paste, while mince-pies and
pumpkin, custard and suet puddings,
sent up an odorous appeal to the senses.
Apples, red and russell, hanked either
end of the board, while stone pitchers of
cider, freshly drawn by Joe, foamed and
sparkled brighter than the champagne
of any fair vineyard of France.
And the deacon, propitiated by this
burnt Offering of savory meats, forgot to
reprove Joe Tor his delinquency in the
matter of church.
Ruth" said the deacon, mildly as he
looked at the turkey, and the chicken
pie beyond it, you're good cook
"a gery good cook, my dear. 1 wish we
could keep you here arays"
Rnth colored, and looked at Joe.
Joe set the chairs round the table with
very unnecessary emphasis.
When, toward twilight, Ruth put on
her scarlet shawl and hood, protesting
that "sne must go home" the deacon
rose up to escort her.
"Sit down, joe" he said, waving his
hand authoritatively. Take your seat
again, Jared. You're nothin' but boys.
I'm the proper one to see Miss Skinner
safe hum !"
Ill would rather go alone, sir"
faltered Ruth.
But the deacon tucked her arm pro-
tectingly beneath the sleeve of his shag-
gy butternut-colored great-coat, and
they set forth together,
Ruth, my DEAR" sud the deacon,
breaking the silence that was beginning
to be embarrassing, after they had
walked little way beneath the creaking
bOughs of the snow-fringed hemlocks.
Sir" auttered Ruth, softly.
at seemed very pleasant to have you
to our house to-day, among them rough
cubs o boys" .e.
"Joe isn't rough cub, please, sir"
said Ruth, plucking up momentary
spirit, and feeling herself color like pink
cream-candy.
"Wall," said the deacon, somewhat
surprised at this unexpected partisan
ship, 81 dunno but Joe's the best of the
lot; but that's neither here nor there.
n - l.. l.. 4