The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-04-21

dried it every year, and often left little
bundles of It when she made visits Of
consolation. She had built chip fire
under the tca.kettle, and then whisked
OF to pick m aproniul OF the pungent
leaves while the water was boiling,
There she was, STOPPING beneath the
hayes OF n log-cabin sun.bonnet, and
humming lively fugue tune, when
Mr.. Wiggin drove up.
"'ComO, my beloved, haste away
piped Miss Dolly, cheerily, swapping
briskly Mt the stalks.
"'Cut short the hours OF thy delay;
Fly like youthful"
"'Fly like q youthful" struck in
n wheGzy bass.
The sun.bonnet tipped back like q
cart body.
"sakcs alive r. cried Miss Dolly, not
in the words Of the hymn, US Mr.. Wig
gin strobe toward her on his slightly
legs.
"I don't mean to put you ont, "
laughed he, sinking hands heartily,
"but it seemed kink O. material to take
a part with you in Mpitdtion."
"You always had a way Of falling in
at tho most unheard-of time, 1 rcmem-
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 1 kept good time,
only too much Of it, pursued Mr.. Wig.
gin, with o sudden inspiration ; "but I
tell you what, Dolly, time never
dragged with me then as 1t does these
days y
hIt is q dull season" said Miss Dol.
lv, with exasperating simplicity. AZ
suppose the grasshoppers have eaten
most Of your wheat, haven't they, SO it
II hardly pay ior reaping?"
"Just SO, assented Mr.. Wiggin, dis
comfted. He had not travelled five
miles in the heat to discuss the state OF
the crops.
"Walk in and sit down, won't you?'
said Miss Dolly, with reluctant hospi-
tRlity. Her apron was crammed at last
to its utmost capacity. She deyoutly
wished 1t had been larger.
"Well, yes, l don't cure il 1 do" an.
swercd Mr.. Wiggin, after lypocritical
show OF hesitation. No hurry, though,
rs I know OF, and he turned to let down
the bars for Miss Dolly, who meanwhile
slipped nimbly through the fence, cat
nip and oil.
hBless my heart Idon't see butwhat
you're rs spryas ever you was, said he,
admiringly, as he pulled along in her
wake. "Still you must be getting into
years, Dolly. as well rs I-no oifense, /
| WIS wondering whether or
no it wasn't lonesome for you living
alone hero ; woman, so ?"
"0h, l never wasone Of the lonesome
kind" responded Miss Dolly, briskly,
seating her guestin the patchwork cush.
ioned rocking.chair; "and, for that
matter, hardly q day passes without
some Of James's folks running in to see
me-"
"Yes, I know; but II you was to
change your situation, wouldn't you en-
10y life better, think2'
Miss Dolly fdgeted at the green pa
per curtains, and intimated that her
present happiness would be complete il
the grasshoppers would stop feeding on
her garden sauce.
"ifhat'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 that
II be ready and willing to do for you,
and make you comfortable :"
az don't know" said Miss Dolly,
dryly. "Trr year before father died ]
did have Si,pi 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-timc came |
was glad to send him Of, and hire by
the day. about made up my mind
that men folks round the house cost
more'n they come to-"
al guess we don't understand one
another" said Mr.. Wiggin, slightly
disconnected by this unhattering view
Of his sex. III wasn't speaking Of hired
help, Dolly. Materially you tCould get
tried with that it's worryin' to wo-
man. But II you was to have com.
panion, nOw-onc TINT could give you q
good home, with wood and water under
cover"
"shool shool'' cried Miss Dolly, fly.
ing out after IN inquiring chicken on
tho doorstep.
MIR, Wiggin drcw his red pocket
handkerchief from his hat to wipe his
glowing face. Certainly he hadn't felt
tlle heat so ali through haying.
"How'syour health nowadays' asked
Miss Dolly, irisking back with look oil
resoluto Inconsistencies. ,
"very good remarsG1bg goodi l
don't know where you'll find man,
Dolly, with a tougher constitution than
%&kI' Miss Dolly bluShed like a
sumao in October
TYes, I'm we'll, pursued Mr.. Wiggtin,
persovoringly, "and I'm tolcrably we'll
to.do, with nothing TO hinder me from
marrying again, provided l can see q
woman 10 my mind"