The Plymouth Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1869-1941, 1870-10-20
VOLUME XVI.

4
been considered very becoming to he
style.
Butter, Mr. Meanss I wonder hev
you heard as far { Il az Malburg about N,
taking that prize last fail !"
"There L despise myself for maxim,
SUCH SPEECH" thought the widow, til,
moment the words were out. off
wasn't so poor and lonely, and if Dorca
wasn't so terribly trying to live with"
| The steel beads under Mr.. Means eye
| brows glittered.
"Well. now, that's good, that's nice
that's frs. rate!" he cried, heartily. "Yoi
aren't engaged, ma'am, suppose?"
Mrs. Whalen blushed like Aurora Bore
ais.
"Not positively" she began. esquire
Linton"
But Mr.. Means cautious spirit again
took ready alarm.
Engaged any where to houseksep, o.
tie like ?" said he.
mo, 1 am not engaged any where t.
keep house" returned the widow, frigidly
"and don't know as could be spared from
home. My sister-in-law is sutj5ct To sicB
spells, and needs me. Besides" added
she, with a look at the garden, which
Il never did such thing in Iny 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 g particular friend of mine
and ne did try to make some kind of an
arrangement; but | haven't quite decided
yet"
The double boN-knot quivered with
outraged dignity.
Mr.. Means suddenly had vision OF
handsome Squire Linton stepping in with
plaintiye little family, cutting him out.
What was to be done must be done quick
ly. He cleared mis- throat and leaned Tor.
ward in the most insinuating manner.
"Mrs. Whalen," said he, and again the
consider that have the first claim over
You. don't know how young Pitcher
delivered his MESSAGE; but the truth is,
I've heard you 50 extra well spoken of
that l had a kind of notion"
Mr. Means tongue was running away
with him. He bridled it speedily, and
the Iext words were inaudible. a man
with one of the best river farms in the
county might pick up and choose for a
wife; 1t wasn't best to be in hurry.
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 a spell, and see how
you like it."
just remarked to you, sir"
And see how We both ike it, you
know. 1t is always best to start fair"
Sly old fox" thought the widow,
testify. "Catch me going to Mslburg on
trial !"
My house is two-stOry BRICK" con-
tinued Reynard, softly, "doyr-yard all
round; patent clothes wringer; little
fourteen-year old bound girl, my wife set
the world by-spry ss you please; cistern
and pump; one grOwD-up son and daugh-
ter, amt afraid of work | Resd some
body to oversee. Come, say you'll CO."
q"
"A woman over in Mount Vernon has
been recommended to me; but am satis-
fed I'd great deal rather have you"
No answer, save percephble lowering
of tho lofty oer e.-.~e-- sS-~ VJbsIan
this time, was having q vision herself
Just such a house as she longed for, and
was fitted to adorn. And behold Mount
Vernon woman walking into it, and max
ing herself az 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"
MIR. Means saw the softening of the
widows features.
"Call it three dollars; and you won't
have much 10 90 but oversee"
"Well, don't know. If it wasn't for
Squire Linton"
"Call it four dollars, and I'll send my
top-brggy for you tomorrow"
"Afser all. +" thought Mrs. Whalen, ar
guing The point with her self respect,
why not? 1t is mere matter of bust
ness. Four dollars is q large sum; need
the money; Squire Linton has never
given over two and half"
"Well, really" said she aloud, having
kept up appearances with her sclf-respect
Il don't know but I'd better 20, just
through tne press of hsying But l
wouldn't pledge myself to stay a day
longer, Mr. Means for, in case time was
set and either one of US was dissatisfied,
it would be rather embarrassing, you gee"
She spoke with such womaply indie
pendence and grace that Mr.. Means was
on the point Of exclaiming heartily, "Set
the time, na'am, dol Set il for life, and
risk i'll"
But prudence got the better of him, as
usual; and On the whole he left the wild
Ow's presence without committing him
self any farther than a man with the beat
farm in the county might do with i'm
punity.
Squire Linton had to content himself
with Nancy Grover, q virsgo with facul-
ty, bat assured himself meekiy that be
had no right 10 be disappointed.
"Well, well, Mrs Whalen, this is com.
Portable, now" said Dir. Means, coming
into his kitchen one rainy morning, drag.
ging couple of old harness after him
81 always like to be where the folks are,
he continued, settling himself to the work
OF mending and oiling at one end of the
wide stone hearth, while st the other end
Mrs. Whalen pours a dipper of boiling
water into the churn she was washing.
| "She is smart See how she steps =
said Mr.. Means TO himself, watching hel
from under his palm-leaf hat-brin, with
serene satisfaction. "What you got cook
ing here? A soup for dinner, hey?" h
pursued aloud, lifting the lid OF grea
iron pot on the stove, and letting out q
fragrant stesming cloud into the room
"Calista was great hand for 'em. Sh,
used TO make the best soups with tn,
least meat of any woman ever saw"
Calsta was the late Mrs. Means; and
her husband had praised her in life as h,
did In death, she must have been blessc.
among women.
81 always like plenty to do with whel
l cook" returned the Widow Whalen
whirling the churn handle with energ,
enough to start the Great Eastern.
A shadow rippled over Mr.. Mean:
face. "Calista cooked az good as anybody
but she was Away very saoing woman,
said he, regretfully.
Then he sprang up so briskly that b
overaet his skillet of grease.
What There there that's too BAG
now I'd no idea that plaguy skillet
handle was turned round right ia my wa,
But | just happened to remember there
: quite good sized junk of pork-rind Sc