National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1873-04-18

mock nunllltN, WHtthcI ~ "ouiu pc w
any use for him to try to make a bargain
with Dolly.
"That more n can tell" Mr.. Blount
had answered; Dolly's puzzle.
You'll have to find out for yourself"
Mr.. Wiggin smiled, in complacent
anticipation of acceptance. Indeed, if
il might not seem Ike n reproach to the
memory of his lost Olive, | should say
that the kind-hearted man rejoiced in
this opportunity of making Miss Dolly's
happiness.
Benevolence was in his face, benevo-
lence was in his spirit, rs he sailed
forth at nm early day to acquaint her
with her good fortune. The broken
harrow which he had strapped into the
wagon to give the neighbors plausible
reason for his trip to the Falls was by
no means typical of mental laceration
in its owner. His feeling rs he approach
ed Miss Dolly's moss. grown cottage was
purely one OF thankfulness that it was
in his power to provide her a better
home. Not that he was grateful to his
dead wife for leaving vacancy there.
Mr.. Wiggin had mourned faithfully for
Olive a year and day.
Miss Dolly was out in the garden
gathering catnip. She never used 1t
herself but there were nervous old
ladies in the village who looked upon
this herb as the substance pleasant
dreams are made Of, and Miss Dolly
dried it every year, and often left little
bundles of it when she made visits of
consolation. She had built a chip fire
under the tea-kettle, and then whisked
off to pick an apronful OF the pungent
leaves while the water was boiling.
There she was, STOPPING beneath the
haves of log-cabin sun-bonnet, and
humming a lively fugue tune, when
Mr.. Wiggin drove up.
Come, my beloved, haste away"
piped Miss Dolly, cheerily, swapping
briskly at the stalks.
"'Cut short the hours OF thy delay;
Fly like youthful
90 Fly like a youthful" struck in
wheezy bass.
The sun-bonnet tipped back like a
cart body.
Sakes alive - cried Miss Dolly, not
in the words of the hymn, as Mr.. Wig
gin strobe toward her on his slightly
rheumatic legs.
:" don't mean to put you out,
laughed he, shaking hands heartily,
" but it seemed kink o naterdi to take
a part with you in MUitation."
You always had way Of falling in
at the most unheard-of time, l remem-
ber," retorted Miss Dolly. saucily, re-
covering herself, and going on gather
ing catnip. She was fifty years old now,
and hoped she had her wits about her.
You used to say | kept good time,
only too much Of it, pursued Mr.. Wig
gin, with a sudden inspiration but |
tell you what, Dolly, time never
dragged 18th me then as it does these
| days T.
at is a dull season." said Miss Dol
lv, with exasperating simplicity.
suppose the grasshoppers have eaten
most of your wheat, haven't they, so it
II hardly pay Tor reaping y
50 Just so, )" assented Mr.. Wiggin, dis
comfited. He had not travelled five
miles in the heat to discuss the state of
the crops.
"Walk in and sit down, won't you q
said Miss Dolly, with reluctant hospi-
| lulltN. Iltl uDlOl was ~ i.t''
to it's utmost capacity. She devoutly
wished it had been larger.
"Well, yes, l don't care if l do" an
swered Mr.. Wiggin, after hypocritical
show of hesitation. No hurry, though,
as | know Of" and he turned to let down
the bars for Miss Dolly, who meanwhile
slipped nimbly through the fence, cat
nip and all.
''Bless my heart Idon't see but what
you're as spry as ever you was, said he,
admiringly, as he puffed along in hel
wake "Still you must be getting into
years, Dolly, as well as ING otfense,
hope-and | was wondering whether ol
no it wasn't lonesome for you living
alone here ; a woman, so 2
"Oh, | never was one of the lonesome
kind" responded Miss Dolly, briskly
seating her guestin the patchwork cush
ioned rocking chair; land, for thai
matter, hardly day passes without
some of James's folks running in to SEE
me-"
eyes, I know but if you was tC
change your situation, wouldn't t you en-
Joy life better, think p
Miss Dolly fdgeted at the green pa
per curtains, and intimated that hel
present happiness would be complete il
the grasshoppers would stop feeding OF
her garden sauce.
"That's just it," continued Mr.. Wig
gin, eagerly; "you do seem to need /
man to look out for your farming inter
ests, now don't you, Dolly? man thai
II be ready and willing to do for you
| and max a Won ppm PORTABLE ~
81 don't know" said Miss Dolly
dryly. "The year before fathe died
did have Silas Potter, and he is the
most faithful creature living but wha
with the extra cooking and washing
had to do for him, my work was about
doubled, and when mud-time came
was glad to send him off, and hire b,
the day. / about made up my mino
that men folks round the house cost
more'n they come to.
81 guess we don't understand one
another" said Mr.. Wiggin, slightly
disconnected by this unhattering view
of his SEX 81 wasn't speaking of hired
help, Dolly. NateraUy you would get
tried with that it's worryin' to wo-
man. But if you was to have a com.
panion, now-one that could give you q
good home, with wood and water under
cover"
"Shoo! shoo,' cried Miss Dolly, fly
ing out after an inquiring chicken on
the doorstep.
Mr.. Wiggin drew his red pocket
handkerchief from his hat to wipe his
glowing face. Certainly he hadn't felt
the heat so all through haying.
"How'syo health nowadays" asked
Miss Dolly, frisking back with look OF
resolute Inconsistencies.
every good remarkably good! ]
don't know where you'll find a man,