The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1872-08-14
SOMERSET PA, WEDNESDAY. AUGUST IA. 1872.

hurried away with subdued rustling
of sombre draperies, while on the 9th
er side of the door, the threatening
sound of footsteps passed by without
anyone entering.
Thank goodness for that said
Mr.. Dockwortby to himself If that
young rascal Freely had happened in
just then. But what have done
Engaged myself to marry that old
maid |, at FIVE and fifty years of
age I'd better go into lunatic as
ylum at once What will Ferdinand
say? | wonder if | couldn't go to
China or California or Japan, or some
of those faraway places Or, per-
haps it would be better to swear her
to keep the peace, Or
And Squire Dockworth smote his
two hands despairingly on the bald
spot on the top Of his head, as he re-
aected on the futility of any remedy
short of matrimonv for this ailment
+ of leap year.
Yes, as he mused on the past pres
ent and future, he could not help
thinking that MANY man had found
Il worse helpmate after all than Miss
Z fArmathea Jenkyns She was not
young to be sure, but then neither
was he She was fair, fresh, and pret-
ty: she was verv handy at a wedding
or d funeral: she comprehended per-
fectly the exigencies of the needle
and she was just the element that he
needed to brighten up the solitary old
farm house.
1T amt 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 /
| don't suppose we ought to blame
the women for taking whatever adj
vantage the law allows them. / won't
say nothing 10 Ferdy, I'll but just
drop over there in the course of the
morning"
Mr.. Dockworthy was as good as
his word. Miss Armathea Jenkyns'
breakfast dishes were hardly washed
up the next day when he walked in.
How pretty soc looked, like full
blOss0med cabbage-rose, or a dahlia,
or any other mature bloom, in the
great black gingham gown and white
apron she wore, standing in front of
the kitchen sink. Not gray hair in
her abundant tresses-n0t crows
foot at the corners of her eyes Il
well, Armathea, said the squire
a little sheepishly
"Well, squire, y said Miss JENKINS, 4
with nOnchaience, as she wrung out
her dishclOth and hung it on a nail at
the corner Of the dressee
I've come to talk that little matter
over with YOU" +,
What little matter -
why, about our being married" i
Miss Jenkyns paused. with her apron
half united, and stared at the squire
with wondering blue eyes
NV sakes alive y she calculated,
who's talking about being married i
Nobody has asked me vet, and if thew ,
did, I'm not by any means certain ,
that | should say yes"
EBut they've asked me. said the :
squire beaminglv.
who has ~ +
s4IIhr t-ar bavp't ,-a,. -
Joshua Dockworthy, are YOU era-
w ?" demanded Miss JENKINS. with
dignity Il asked You ?"
Yes; last night, don't you re
~
Last night! Why, widow Lerey !
took tea here, and spent the evening,
and | never went across my thresh- !,
hold. And if | had it isn't likely that !
should 90 philandering over to T,
YOUR house to ask you to marry me, /
guess.
well, then, said the squire, look
aere. It's trick of that young ras-
,al Ferdinand-one of his college .
That's probable enough said !,
Miss JENKINS, who looked prettier =
han ever, with reddened cheeks and :
shining ewes. r- I
The squire's eountenance fell he
vas mere disappointed than he cared :
to own.
Look here, Armathea," said he )
Don't yeu suppose" =
Yes" said Miss JENKINS, laugh :
ng and coloring. II do suppose I
hat is, if YOU wishit very much.r .
"Well, | do" said the Squire. =
And FL tell you what-we'll be even = =
With Ferdinand Apperly yet" = :
And when the young collegian :,
leard that his chances for an inherit ;: y
Ince from his rich bachelor uncle n :,
we're to be diminished by the mar !
iage of that elderly relative, he :
tared in dismav =
You are really going to be married. =
ncle,' gasped he :
Really and truly ~ ~
And what on earth has put it into = :.
our head ~ ~ ~
Leap year, | think" said the =
quire, with sober twinkle in his a !,
YES, which revealed to Ferdinand u, y,
nat his uncle had detected his trick. ~ =,
Notable Lnnaties. "
hi