Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1871-03-24


was suppressed litter among the younger
ladies.
With her heart SO sore from having
these two great trials of her life SO ruth
lessly brought before her, in such,a public
manner twas no wonder that her reply
should have been given rather sharply.
''Ephraim's been slow maxim up his
mind; It's his way" and then with a
quick glance at Miss Shambley, cit amt
as if he couldn't get anybody to have him,
yon know"
1t was we'll supper was announced, and
the attention of the company turned to
the strength of the tea and the quality of
the cake
Poor old lady, she was quite bewildered
with her own thoughts, and she wanted to
get away from oil those pitiless eyes and
tongues, so she managed to slip out un-
perceived, and arrived at home just as
the boys" were going TO milking, and
to their anxious inquiries as to what was
the matter, only said she was "tired."
Solomon hurried of to the society, firm
in the belief that his services could not be
dispensed with, when the members "
should start for home.
Ephraim and his mother had a long
evening together, and her trials were so
effectually shown to her son that the in
terview closed with the widow triumphant
and happy, and Ephraim had subdued
| look which BODIED we'll for his mothers
| wishes.
On the following morning Solomon
asked, "Where are you going to pick up
stones to-day, EphP" and was told, 81
have other work on my hands to-day, less
to my mind, but have promised mother
not to try her any longer by Sinking" !"
Solomon's eyes opened wide, and he did
not hesitate to say, Hannah, there'll be
fun now, guess" He was instantly
stopped by reprimand from his mother.
Now Ephraim was one of those down
right, upright kind of men, to whom the
battle is more than half over when once
they have resolved" so his mother felt
no misgivings about him as she watched
him crossing the meadows in the direction
of Squire Whipple's.
do not think the good woman ever
thought of the possibility OF Martha's
saying "nayn to such an offer, but as the
day wore on and he did not come home,
she smiled to think what ardent lovers
these quiet, backward kind of men made,
when they come to know there own
minds.
Solomon declared that Eph was max
ing fool of himself going the rounds. of
the whole town." and asked his mother
"what she'd bet Eph wouldn't ask that
ar Shumbley woman to add her forty
years to his'n before he was through with
it."
By nine o'clock Ephraim arrived, but
nothing could be gathered from his face,
and he refused to answer o single question
until he had his supper. They waited
with what patience they could; Mrs.
Hawkins said, she always was dreadful
trying" and Solomon thought "Eph's
symptoms good, judging from his appe-
tite."
At last he seated himself by the broad,
open fireplace, and placing his feet upon
the fender, commenced: Il went over to
the 'Squire's and found Marthy churning,
so l took hold and helped her. She said
something about my running away from
her generally, but didn't take any notice
of it. We talked over about work and one
thing and another. She laughed at most
everything, but gave me some kind of an
answer, until / asked her, Marthy,' says
|, whats your opinion about raising a
| large family? Don't you think, If it's the
Lords will, it is better to have good
many children to grow up together, than
to have Just two or three, like your family
and mine?"
She jumped SO that we almost upset the
churn, and then she snapped out, "Eph.
Hawkins, what do you mean, talking like
that to me? Don't you ever dare to
speak to me again as long as you live" ]"
tried to explain, but she wouldn't listen
to word, so l had to leave, and felt
glad twas ordered just as twas, for wo-
man with such a temper rwould make an
uncomfortable wife.
The widow groaned, but Ephraim told
her mot to be discouraged, for he did not
give it up so." I" / went from there over
to Mr.. Wheeler's, and l thought
wouldn't waste time in compliments, so
when Sarah Jane came to the door l asked
her at once if she'd be kind enough to an
swer q few questions, and 1 told her a
good deal depended upon her answers, SO
hoped she would tell the truth. AT that
she got mad and called to her mother,
Ere is Eph Hawkins, come to take the
cencus, and he's afraid III tell him lies
you had better come and answer him,
and what should she do but leave. Sister
Wheeler came and 1 said l think will
call when Brother Wheeler is at home
and then left"
Again the widow groaned, and accused
her son of being more "trying' than ever
before. Solomon kept quiet, for fear OF
being excluded from the confidence of the
family. "Mother," said Ephraim, don't
| find fault with me, for | never worked so
hard to please you in my life as l have
done to-day, and have gone according to
the light had"
81 know, my son, but you'll never
marry now. Oh dear, | am SO tired"
"Yes l shall; did not lose courage a
hut hor n HOUVn'Q
Don't you tell me Betsy Howe is
coming here to live on"
"No, she wasn't at home, and when
| asked her mother as to Betsy's views, she
owned that Betsy hadn't any; SO that
was settled, of course, and l left word
with her abodt some town business for
Eben, and came away" I,i
AT John Reads I found quite com
pany. You know by the time / got there
twas in the afternoon. Well, / felt so
thankful for there was Ann Simpson,
Abbey Cole and Nancy Fisher, besides the
Read girls Somehow didn't feel quite
as clear in my mind as to the questions
when they were ell laughing around me.
"oh," interrupted Solomon, "if I'd only
been there. H tstrta
was bound to be serious with them, so
1 asked them at once if they didn't think
woman ought to be willing to do the
milking if her husband was farmer and
was called away on town business.
"Of course" said two or three of them,
"Do you want to hire hand, Eph? Take
me, oh, take me" and they all huddled
up around me until / was almost crazy.
don't know how should ever have got
away from them, but was tipping back
in my chair, and somehow 1t went over
and | went my full length on the floor
They all commenced screaming, and sup
posed they they thought was hurt fol
they called to their father, and he came
running in. Says he, Brother Hawkins
what is the matterp What have you done
to frighten these girls SOP" -..-
Says /, "They can't be more frightened
than am, and If you will get the chail
mended will settle the bill. wanted tc
talk with you about the school in our dis
trict, but ! guess will see yous down to
the corner some day !" and was coming
away, but my hat had been mislaid some
how and, after long search, Brother ReaC
| Ient ma his hest one: and though IL wa