Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1873-07-02

pains, and insist that he must be perpetual
ly we'll because he had fresh complexion
and dimples in his cheeks. She had sa-
worry herb teas and potions, which she
produced when he complained of feeling
miserable, and she had that blessing to
hypochondriacs. a homeopathic box and
book in the house
There were remedies in that box for
everything and it was pleasant to find
that when there was crawling sensation
in your flesh, or kind of uneasy feeling
in your legs, there weresdear little glob-
ules to be had just suited for the symp-
toms that to find yourself very angry
about nothing indicated pulsatilla, and
that even for unrequited love there was a
medicine
For two months and more Mr.. Patterson
boarded with Mrs. Muntle, and happier
months he had never lived through. Then
be went back to the city for few weeks,
returned in urgent need Of more pellets
from the medicine chest; and stayed until
the last pink chrysanthemum was bloom
ing on its withered branches. He had
grown SO fond Of his little room, with its
white curtains and fresh grass bleached
linen, of the country good things, and Of
the cosy nursing of buxom Mrs. Muntle,
that he could scarcely bear the thought of
parting with them altogether.
After all, why could not he buy house
and try to get Mrs. Muutle to keep it for
him ? Perhaps she would. He would
offer her high salary and she would
have plenty of servants. Then indeed, he
might have friends to dine with him, and
be as happy as possible.
If only he could approach his hostess !;
showing her as he did so that he consid
cred her his equal and lady,, and all
that, as she certainly was-a little coun.
trl fed, of course, but a clergyman's
daughter and the widow of country doc
tor.
After much consideration he finally
mustered courage for the effort, and walk
ed into the front parler, sent the small
servant to ask Mrs, Muntle to step there
for moment, if she pleased.
Gracious ~ thought Mrs. Muntle.
What can he want p
Then she blushed brightly, settled her
necktie, took off her apron and walked
demurely in.
Be seated, ma'am," said Mr.. Patter-
son. " Please to sit here Allow me to
sit near you. [ have something to say
which may require some consideration"
"Oh, dear, it's coming" said Mrs.
Muntle
suppose you know I'm man
of considerable means, maam," said
the old bachelor, liable to buy a nice
house, furnish it well, and live in it com
fortably !"
D." So I've understood, Mr.. Patterson -
said the widow.
And of course it's pleasanter to live
that way than in bachelor lodgings, or at
hotel" said Mr.. Patterson.
| should Judge it might be-" said Mrs.
Muntle cautiously
You judge rightly," said Mr.. Pat ter
son, but you know bachelor must be
in the hands of servants if be keeps house.
A gentleman don't want that he wants a
lady to superintend things for him some
one Of taste and refinement, and all that
Common people don't understand his feel
ings, and mercenary servants are poor
dependence.
-" | know that" said Mrs Muntle.
q" You are almost as much alone as |,
aren't you, Mrs. Muntle ?" said Mr.
Patterson, coaxingly.
{" The doctor knew him. He's going
to do it, just as he said he would if he
ever did," said the lady to herself ALOUD
she answered
g" Well, sir, am pretty free, it is true
All my children are married"
-" know money would be no object tc
you," said Mr.. Patterson. You have
enough. But if were to tell you that
hated boarding houses, and wanted a home
l think you would have pity on me. II
buy beautiful house, and you shall hav,
complete control Of everything only t.
make my strawberry short-cake for me al
my life"
He paused and looked at the lady
THAT is delicately put" he thought
" Nor will you hire out for housekeepel
in that, fancy
- amt romantic, though" said Mrs
Muntle; q" but still, We amt youn!
neither of US, and it gets to be just tha
with the most sentimental after awhile"
Don't refuse me-" pleaded Mr.. Pat
terson.
Well, Mr.. Patterson, | WON'T" sai(
Mrs. Muntle. " I'm my own mistress
and though I've never thought of a sec
ond marriage, why | think I'm warrante
in making one And no doubt l shal
never repent, for think you've fin
!, disposition, and | understand your way
and tastes"
Mr. Patterson listened. He saw wha
he had done proposed and been accept
ed without having any idea what he wa
! about.
!. He looked at Mrs Muntle she wa
very nice and fresh and comely, and te
years his junior, at least, if she was forty
He could not have done a better thing
.. and he would be married without an
y troublesome courting. So he put his arr
about Mrs. Muntles waist, and said
Thank you, my dear. [ consider my
self very lucky"
. He wrote to his good doctor in about
fortnight's time, to tell him that he ha
y taken both his prescriptions, was a marie
), man and intended to bring his bride HON
about Christmas
Wedding Presents.