Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-08-02

MISS DOLLY CORNERED.
| CONTINUED FROM YESTERDAY. ]

FROM YESTERDAY.I
walk in and sit down, won't YOUR
said Miss Dolly, with reluctant hospitality.
Her apron was crammed at last to its ut
most capacity. She devoutly wished it
had been larger.
"Well, yes, don't care if do" an
swered Mr.. Wiggin, after hypocritical
show of hesitation. mo hurry, though,
as know Of" and he turned to let down
the bars for Miss Dolly, who meanwhile
slipped through the fence, catnip and all.
BLESS my heart! don't see but what
you're as spry as ever you was" said he,
admringly, as he puffed along in her
wake. "Still, you must be getting into
years. Dolly, as well as mo offence,
hope,-and was wondering whether or
no it was lonesome for you living alone
here, woman, so ?"
"Oh, | never was one of the lonesome
kind" responded Miss Dolly, briskly.
seating her guest in the patchwork cush-
ioned rocking chair; land for that matter
hardly a day passes without some of
James's folks running in to see me-"
Yes, know but you was to change
your situation, wouldn't you enjoy life
better, think ?''
Miss Dolly fidgeted at the green paper
curtains, and intimated that her present
happiness would be complete if the grass
hoppers would stop feeding on her garden
sauce.
'That's just it." continued Mr.. Wiggin,
eagerly ''you do seem to need man to
look out for your farming interests, now
don't you, Dolly? a man thatll be ready
and willing to do for you, and make you
comfortable P"
II don't know" said Miss Dolly, dryly.
The year before Silas died, l did have
Silas Potter, and he is the most faithful
creature living but what 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 by the day. about made up
my mind that men folks round the house
cost more'n they come to-"
other" said Mr.. Wiggin, slightly discon-
certed by this unflatfering view of bis sex.
II wasn't speaking of hired help, Dolly.
it's worryin' to woman. But if you was
give you good home, with wood and
water under cover
"Shoo! shoo" cried Miss Dolly, flying
out after an inquiring chicken on the door
step.
Mr.. Wiggin drew his red pocket hand
kerchief from his hat to wipe his glowing
face. Certainly he hadn't felt the heat 50
all through haying.
"How's your health nowadays?" asked
Miss Dolly, frisking back with a look Of
resOlute Inconsistencies.
VERY good; remarkably good don't
know where you'll find man Dolly with
a tougher constitution than I've got"
"Ah!" Miss Polly blushed like sumac
in October.
''Yes, I'm well" pursued Mr.. Wiggin,
perseveringly, land I'm tolerably welEto-
do, with nothing to hinder me from mar
rying again, provided can see woman
to my mind"
There's the deacon's widow" sugges-
ted Miss Dolly. offieiously; "she's pious.
economical"
"She's lett with means enough to carry
her through handsomely. interrupted MIR.
Wiggin, quickly. "Now I'd rather have
a wife to provide for-one that needed q
home. In fact, Dolly l have my eye on
the little woman want this minute!''
He had both eyes on her, for that mat
ter, and Miss Dolly was forced to recog-
nize the situation, whether she accepted It
or not.
"l've managed to sugar my tea so far,
David, without calling upon my neigh
bors." chirruped she, STOPPING to lay strait
the braided mat. land l might as well
keep on. l don't feel it tax, as some
folks,would. But there's Martha Dunning,
she's having a hard time to get along.
Why don't you take her, David? She'd
appreciate such nice house as yours"
at would seem as If most any woman
might" said Mr.. Wiggin, in an injured
tone, "all finished of complete, painted
outside and in
Shed be delighted with it, am sure
of it !" broke in Miss Dolly, with an air of
conviction, as she darted into the kitchen
to lift the boiling kettle from the crane
''But you don't mean that you won't
marry me, Dolly ?" pleaded Mr.. Wiggin.
anxiously, following to the door. 1--WE
been lottin' on seem you at the head Of
things in my house,
"Martha is grand manager" said Miss
Dolly, coolly david needn't think he
can buy me with a set OF new buildings p
added she mentally, swapping down the
lid of the'pug-nosed teapot.
Il never did have the name of being
croping"
'ltell you Dolly, won't have Martha
don't like her turn" cried Mr.. Wiggin,
testify. balancing himself on the threshold,
yet not daring to step over II.
Miss Dolly gave her undivided atten-
ton to winging the hearth
"You know yon was always the woman
of my choice, Dolly, pursued Mr.. Wiggin.
as tenderly as he could consistently with
the distance between them. And when
we were both young"
"Pshaw :" snapped Miss Dolly, scorching
her wing that's beyond the memory Of
man."
Mr.. Wiggin's position was becoming
painful. He grasped the door-post in
either hand, looking wretched enough to
slay himself on the spot, after the fashion
of Samson. Evidently he had not touched
the right chord as yet. Miss Dolly was
not to be won by the attractions of wealth
and position, nor even by tender illusions
to the past. He would appeal to her kind
ness OF heart.