The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-09-10
THE SoUIRE'S PROPOSAL.

fifty years. A man amt likely to be mar
ried, / guess, when he has lived satisfied
with single lot all these days.
"Stranger things have been known to
happen, Uurcle Dockworthy," said Ferdi-
nand Aperly, who was graceless college
boy of nineteen or there abouts.
Not in these parts, guess" opined
the squire.
Well, but, Uncle things are different
from what they used to be,' persisted
Ferdinand, "You see there never has been
a period before, when Womans Rights
were in the ascendency as they are now"
" don't see as that effects my particular
case" said Squire Dockworthy, {" l amt
woman" .,,.
"Ah, you don't comprehend the immi-
nence of the danger" said Ferdinand,
solemnly. ru.V
I" Eth " said the squire.
/" With Miss Armathea Jenkyns living
next door, and leap year at that" added
young Aperley mischieveously, enjoying
his relatives growing CONSERVATION.
Z" But you don't spose--'
81 suppose nothing" interrupted Fer
dinand. ~ only put the case problem
atically, just to convince you sir, that you
can't be too careful"
"Oh, pshaw % said the Squire uneasily,
drawing huge yellow silk handkerchief
across his brow. "you can't scare me with
1,o,,r oo1laro roueaneo Eardv A mon omit
be married without saying Il will, no
more than woman"
But when he went to the village that
afternoon Ferdinand noticed that he took
the way down Hollow dam, good eighth
of mile out of his way, sooner than pass
the easement of Miss Armathea JenlSyns'
one story residence, next his own, on the
high road. .....r
"Pve made some impression on him at
all events" said Ferdy to himself with a
sparkle Of merry diaJlerie in his eyes.
The Squire was sitting in his freight
that evening enjoying the season between
daylight and dark technically known as
" blind mans holiday" when there sound
ed a soft rap on the pannels of the door.
"Come in, said the squire; and tall
form entered, clad in sober black, with a
bonnet of rusty bombazine trimmed with
a huge black jet buckle.
"Good evening to ye, Miss Armathea,"
said the squire a little TREMENDOUSLY, as he
recognized the bonnet and garb of his spin
ster neighbor. "That colt of mines been
breaking through your pickets againP l
declare to gracious have mind TO sell
him." a5 g1lIs4 t...q8rut m
'"Tisn't that, squire, thank you kindly"
was the answer. i IfasI .-su. lN
" Set down ct down ~ said Mr.. Dock
worthy. "Bless me, what cold you've
got--you're hoarse as a crow"
j. Ahem ~ said Miss Armathea--" This
weather is trying on weak lungs; but
called on business squire.p Hr
81 knew it was the colt" said the squire
desperately. i.a n tilt r
''But it amt the colt said Miss Jenk-
yns. "It's myself squire" Jn
"Oh," said the gentleman.
81 have concluded, ''went on his visi-
tant, "to take advantage of the rights ac-
corded to our sex by the year, and--and-
in short, squire lp i'tg'au l4I
Mr.. Dockworthy moved his chair little
back, but Miss Armathea anticipated the
movement by sinking theatrcally on one
knee before him. 3r rnn"' 4ei DO
Joshua, will you be mine," she muir
INJURED, with what might have been either
sobor hysteric laugh. r. 30 $50 a.if H.a'
"I-I'd rather not, said tho squire
hitehing his chair little further still. n9a
"Joshua, would you break my hea.tP''
"Iguess tain't so brittle as all that"
said the squire uneasily. s otf1 1npda III
at love you, Joshua Dockworthy-I have
loved you these ten years stamhered the
lady still on her knees. "Say, oh, say
you win be all my own Pm good cook,
Joshua-Tm master hand at mems
shirts, and everybody knows, that, q place
amt place withouta woman to slick it
up" raf. 1870 ,l.q.
II know" said the squire, "but--" Miss
Armathea rose to her feet and flung her
arms about the squire's neck.
"Joshua Joshua will you say yes,
There was rattling at the door latch of
the room beyond. The squire grew scarlet
as the possibility Of Ferdinand Aperly
breaking in upon this unexpected tStela-tctc
occurred on his mind. fsl h9oals
"Take your arms away" said the squire
nervously. Please-that's good girl"
I" Not till you speak the word that is TO