The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-09-10


But what have done2 Engaged myself to
marry that old maid 2. l at five and fifty
years of age I'd better go into a lunatic
asylum at once. What will Ferdinand say I?
l wonder if couldn't go to China or Cal
ifonia or Japan, or some Of those faraway
places Or, perhaps it would be better to
swear her to keep the peace, Or"
And Squire Dockworthy smote his two
hands despairingly on the bald spot on the
top of his head, as he reflected on the fu-
tilty of any remedy short Of matrimony for
this ailment of leap year. orr N'' .''
Yes, as he mused on the past, present
and future, he could not help thinking that
many man had found worse helpmate
after all than Miss Armathea Jenkyns.
She was not young to be sure, but then
neither was he. She was fair, fresh, and
pretty; she was very handy at wedding
or q funeral; she comprehended perfectly
the exigencies of the needle; and she was
just the element that he needed to brighten
up the solitary old farm house.
" 1t aint bad idea," said the squire to
himself "but most wish she hadn't been
the one to propose it. Very likely I'd
have thought of it myself, if she had given
me time. However, leap year is leap year,
and l don't suppose we ought to blame the
women for taking whatever advantage the
law allows them. I won't say nothing to
Ferdy, but I'll just drop over there in the
course of the morning"
Mr., Dockworth was as good as his word.
Miss Armathea Jenkyns' breakfast dishes
were hardly washed the next morning
when he walked in.
How pretty she looked, like full bios
somed cabbage rose, or a dahlia, or any
other mature bloom, in the great black
gingham gown and white apron she wore.
standing infront of the kitchen sink. Not
a gray hair in her abundant tresses---not
crows foot at the corners of her eyes.
swell, Armathea, said the squire;
little sheepishly." .A rou rads
We'll, squire" said Miss Jenkyns, with
nonchalence, as she wrung out her dish
cloth and hung it on a nail at the corner of
the dresser. .a.ui n. .r nl.arI
:" I've come to talk that little matter
over with you" .sT .Irrf efI si
(" What little matter 9'' - .ys. ef.s-
" Why about our being married"
Miss Jenkyns paused, with her apron half
united, and stared at the squire with won
dering blue eyes. ta0 BAD ...g,
"My sakes alive ~ she calculated,
"who's talking about being married No
body has asked me yet, and if they did,
Pm not by any means certain that could
say yes" ar,e ..,. ... ii,
Z" But they've asked me said the squire
beamingly. ,,lse ...,.r i....... i...
"Who has ?'
t"uWhy, you-havent't You ~ sidi
" Joshua Dockworthy, are you crazy?"
demanded Miss Jenkyns, with dignity;
81 ask you ?" 5.l
" Yes last night don't you remember?''
" Last night! Why, widow Leroy took
tea here, and spent the evening, and never
went across my Threshold. And if / had
it isn't likely that should go philander-
ing over to your house to ask you to marry
me, guess" , ..I, m
'Well, then" said the squire, "look
here. It's trick of that young rascal
Ferdinand-one of his college games.''
That's probable enough" said Miss
Jenkyns, who looked prettier than ever,
with Redeemed cheeks and shining eyes,
The squire's countenance fell; he was
more disappointed than he cared to own,
"Look here, Armathea," said he "don't
you suppose ,,...,.. s.. sa.. r,
eyes, said Miss Jenlkyns, laughing
and ooloripg. 81 do suppose-that is, if
you wish it very much" i1H if 3se
Well, l do,p said the squire, 9. And
I'll tell you what-we'll be even with Fer
dinand Aperly yet" s, im9 yrs
And when the young collegian heard
that his chance for an inheritance from his
rich bachelor uncle was to be diminished
blythe marriage of that elderly relative, he
started in dismay., adi bIso4 ollo,iab Iu
y"You are really going to be married,
uncle,'' he gasped. hfla asa tf in,u
REALLY and truly"aua a. ~ otYo gsI
~" And what on earth has put it into ybur
head2r snaraul A1totlairt4 Us ,itt
"Leap year. ] thini,'' said the squire,
with sober twinkle in his eyes, which re-
vealed to Ferdinand that his uncle had de-
tected his trick. ao4 .a.f aiiiHnaK
eB~ Young men who will sit up late ON
GatnrdaN Iinhts IAlavin1. nalds -n,.d 1 or. ~.