The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1872-08-08


handed him nicely-lighted pipe the
visitor felt remarkably comfortable, and
as he puffed the curls of smoke about
his head and watched pretty, buxom
Hannah Adams as she hustled about, he
Thought thatjif the maid was so good
! looking-andh he neverdoubted her to be
| the serving g-maid-what would be the
mistressP He scarcely cared; he liked
the looks of this girl, 50 spry and daft
in all her movements. . At@
With half-closed eyes he gazed, as the
pies and doughnuts were placed on the
hearth to wtrm, bread, cheese, and cake
cut, the toast dipped and the sausages
fried. .--.- ,,-.r- ,..,
Chang, chang, chang, came the bells
| good, old-fashioned, resOunding bells.
A large, low, comfortable, yellow sleigh,
drove to the door. Two young ladies in
mourning and sable furs were assisted
from the robes of strong, home-spun
coverlets, the foot-stove was taken out,
| then Mr.. White drove to the barn, and
I Deacon Cluff rose to be introduced
A tall, gaunt, pale wrinkled woman,
in large, round glassed, silver-mounted
spectacles, entered, followed by black
| eyed, sunny-faced younger one.
MY mother, the widow Adams, and
my sister, Miss Susan Adams" said Han
nah, in her most modest and bewitching
manner. .ar.-
The deacon certainly experienced a
nervous start. For an instant his
tongue was paralyzed, his brain whirled,
all his ideas seemed resolving % chaos.
But he was man of the world, prided
himself on always being equal to any
situation. There was mistake this
was not the woman or place he had
sought, but it never should be &nown,
SO with his most courtly air he gave his
name, and he inquired respecting the
swine. ..r..
/" Mrs. Adams had not thought of dis
posing of any, her hired help ate great
deal of pork during the summer, but
perhaps she could spare a couple; her
foreman, Mr.. Dole, would be home soon.
She must consult him. The gentleman
must stop to tea; after that there would
be plenty of time for business"
The supper was a very sociable one.
The deacon learned that David Dole was
the prospective son-in-law, as we'll as
foreman to Mrs. Adams; but he was
|
than he had been with her younger sis
ter. She having been initiated in the
roguish plot, played her part to perfec-
ton, and the mother, though perfectly
ignorant of the conspiracy against the
visitor, or of his mistake, was too shrewd
to believe that the purchase of a couple
OF pigs was his sole errand. Pleased at
the prospect of such a respectable match
for her eldest daughter, she strove to be
as gracious and entertaining as possible.
The widower, surrounded by so much
feminine sympathy, became extremely
confidential. With tears he dilated on
3. the beauty and virtue of his deceased
spouse, gave a detailed account of her
illness and death, concluding by a
graphic description of his loneliness and
domestic troubles. Words and sighs of
consolation were breathed around him.
The widow bemoaned her bereaved con-
dition, but she was an old woman and
had two such daughters. Her girls,
especially the eldest, had been such a
comfort since her husbands DEATH"
The guest, looking unutterable things
at the damsel, was sure it must be so,'
while she comforted the mourner with
shy, little glances, and sweetly isped
half finished sentences.
Supper over Mr.. Dole arrived with a
sled load of wood, drawn from distant
wood lot. The bargain for the pigs
having been satisfactorily concluded,
Tabitha Dole came to spend the even
ing Apples were brought, nuts were
brought, and a bowl of hot punch mixed
The tall clock in the corner strikes
| noIs i Il
and, escorted by Edward White, osten-
sibly started homeward, but in reality
the pair proceeded no further than the
long back kitchen, when raking open
the smouldering fire they quietly seated
themselves upon the settle in the chin
ney corner. .... ....rr
Mrs. Adams rolled up her stocking
took the knitting sheath from her side
and placing both on high mantel
brought the large family Bible and po-
litely requested Deacon Cluff to set
the house in ORDER" which, after slight
show OF modest hesitancy, he proceeded
to do in his best style, which really was
very good. A.
Prayers over, the widow complaining
of fatigue, but begging the visitor not
to hasten his departure, sought her bed
room. The young ladies and Mr.. Dole
became more entertaining. Some cold
chicken was brought, and another mug
] of flip made, as 6Onne 60uche before the
guest set out ON his long, cold ride. The
merriment increased, till somehow the
deacon found himself alone with Miss
Susan Adams, who was demurely knit
ting in her mothers low rocking chair
by the small, round light stand. He
pushed his seat forward, and strove tc
take the work from her hand. She
coquettishly resisted. The chair went
forward another hitch, something in.
! tended to be sweet and complimentary
was stammered, then everything swan
before his vision, his eyes closed, his
head sank on his breast, and the pious
distinguished Deacon Cluff was fast
asleep. ,..... .... ..-...
The maiden's needles clicked, the fire
snapped and sizzled, the cat purred OIL
the hearth, the clock tick-tacked, tick.
tackled, then rang out eleven. The dea
con never moved. .at--
! The door leading from the back kitch,
en- was cautiously opened and four merry
faces peeped in. M Miss Susan put up hel
knitting, and with motion to silence
softly opened the dairy-room door, ani
! bringing forth tall, upright churn
she quietly placed it between the sleep
er's knees, and then noiselessly covering
the fire with ashes she blew out the can