The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1873-05-15

ofishly a' uhe s'alAs.
.'.Cut short the hours of thy delay;
Fly like youthful"
"'Fly like youthful" struck in a
wheezy bass.
The sun-bonnet tipped back like cart
body.
Stakes alivew cried Miss Dolly, not in
the words of the hymn, as Mr. Wiggin
strobe toward her on his slightly rheumat-
ic legs.
IL didn't mean to put you out" laughed
he, shaking hands heartily, "but it seemed
kind O material to take part with you in
Invitation"
"Iou always had way of falling in at
the most unheard-Of time, remember, re-
torted Miss Dolly, saucily, recovering her
self" and going on gathering 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.. Wiggin,
what. Dolly. time never dragged with me
then as it does these days.
at is dull season." said Miss Dolly,
with eXasperating simplicity. 81 suppose
the grasshoppers have eaten most OF your
wheat, haven't they, so it'll hardly pay for
reaping:'
Just So" assented Mr.. Wiggin, discom-
fitted. He had not travelled five miles in
the heat to discuss the state of the crops.
Walk in and sit down, won't your"
said Miss Dolly, with reluctant hospitali-
ty. Her apron was crammed at last to its
utmost capacity. She dcvoutly wished it
had been larger
well, yes, don't care if do" an
swered Mr. Wiggin, after a hypocritical
show of hesitation. IL had little bust
ness further on, at the blacksmith's. No
hurry, though, as l know off, and he
turned to let down the bars for Miss Dol
ly, who meanwhile nimbly 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,
admiringly, as he pulled along in her
wake. Still you must be getting into
years, Dolly, as we'll as mo offense, |
hope-and l was wondering whether or no
it wasn't lonesome for you living alone
here: Il woman, sO?"
"Oh, | never was one of the lonesome
kind" responded Miss Dolly, briskly,
seating her guest in the patchwork-cush-
Toned rocking chair; "and for that mat
ter, hardly day passes without some of
James's folks running i'm
| "Ies, know; but if 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 that'll be ready
and willing to do for you, and make you
comfortable?"
II don't know" said Miss Dolly, dryly
THE year before father 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 enough to send
him off, and hire by the day. l about
made up my mind that men folks round
the house cost more'n they come to-
Il guess we don't understand one an
other" said Mr. Wiggin, slightly discon-
cer,ed by this untlattering view of his sex.
Materially you would get tried with that
it's worryin' to woman But if you was
to have a companion, nOw-one that could
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. Wi@gin drew his red pocket-hand-
kerchief from his hat to wipe his glowing
face Certainly he hadn't felt the heat so
all through haying.
"How's your health nowadays?" asked
Miss Dolly, frisking back with look of
resolute unconsciOusneSs.
VERY good: remarkably good! don't
know where you'll find man, Dolly,
with IA tougher constitution than I've
got
"Ah" Miss Dolly blushed like sumac
in October.
Yes, I'm well,' pursued Mr.. Wiggin,
pcrseveringly, land I'm tolerably well-to-
do, with nothing to hinder my marrying
again provided can see woman to my
mind
There's the deacon's widow suggested
Miss Dolly, ofliciously; "she's pious,
economical"-
'.She's left with means enough to carry
her through handsomely" interrupted Mr..
Wiggin, quickly. Now I'd rather have Il
wife to provide fOr-One that needed a
home. In fact, Dolly, l have my eye on
the little woman want this minute!'
He had both eyes on her, for that
matter, and Miss Dolly was forced to re-
cognize the situation, whether she accept
it or not
"I've managed to sugar my tea so far,
David, without calling upon my neigh
bors," chirrupcd she, STOPPING to lay
straight the braided mat, land l might as
well keep on. don't feel it a tax as some
folks would But there's Martha Dun.
ming, she's having a. hard time to get
along. Why don't you take her, David?
Shed appreciate such nice house as
yours"
1T would seem as if most any woman
might said Mr.. Wiggin, in an injured
tone, .'all finished off 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. "Ive
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 set of new buildings!'
added She, mentally, swapping down the |
lid of the pug-nosed teapot. Il never
did have the name of being cropping"
II tell you, Dolly, l won't have Martha;
I don't like her turnv' cried Mr.. Wiggin, |
testify, balancing himself on the thresh-
old, yet not daring to step over it.
Hiss Dolly gave her undivided attention |
to winging the hearth.
you know you was always the woman |
Of my choice, Dolly" pursued Mr.. Wig
gin, as tenderly as he could consistently |
with the distance between. "And we were |
both young"
"Phsaw!'' snapped Miss Dolly, scorch-
ing her wing; chats beyond the memory
of mani"
Mr.. Virgins position was becoming
painful. He grasped door-post in either |
hand, looking wretched enough to slay
himself on the spot, after the fashion of