The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1873-05-15

ph, l. never was one OF the lone
some kind" responding Miss Dolly,
briskly, seating her guest in the patch
work cushioned rocking chair "and
for that matter, hardly day passes
without some of James folks running
in"
eyes, I know; but if you was to
change your situation, wouldn't you en-
joy life better, think?"
Miss Dolly fidgeted at the green pa
per curtains. and intimated that her
present happines would be complete if
the grasshoppers would stop feeding on
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? A man
thotll be ready and willing to do for
You, and make you comfortable?"
q" don't know" said Miss Dolly, dry
ly "The year before father died | did
have Silas Potter, and he is the most
faithful creature living but what with
the extra cooking and washing T had to
do for him, my work was about double
ed, and when mud-time came ] was
glad enough 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"
"I guess we don't understand one
another said Mr., Wiggin, slightly
Disconnected by this unflattering view
Of his sex. 81 wasn't speaking of hired
help, Dolly. Materially you would get
tried with that it's worryin' to wo-
man. But if you was to have COM
panion, now-one that conld give you a
good home, with wood and water under
cover"
Shoe Shoe !" cried Miss Dolly,
flying out after an inquiring chicken on
the doorstep.
Mr.. Wiggiu drew his red pocket
handkerchief from his hat to wipe his
glowing lace. Certainly he hadn't felt
the heat so all through haying.
"How's your health nowadays?" ask
ed Miss Dolly, frisking back with n
look of reso ute unconsciousness.
Z" Very good remarkably good [
don't know where you'll find man,
Dolly, with tougher constitution than
I've got
"Ah !" Miss Dolly blushed like a
sumac in October.
Eyes, I'm well" pursued Mr.. Wig
gin, perseveringly, land I'm tolerably
well-to-do, with nothing to hinder my"
marrying again, provided ] can see a
woman to my mind,
"Thero's the deacon's widow" sug-
gested Miss Dolly, oficiously; she's
"A pious, economical"
"She's left with means enough to
carry her through handsomely" inter
rupted Mr.. Wiggin, quickly. "Now
I'd rather have wife to provide for
one that needed II home. In fact, Dol
Iy. 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
recognize the situation, whether she
accepted it or not.
I've managed to sugar my tea so
far, David, without calling upon my
neighbors, " chirruped she, STOPPING to
lay straight the braided mat, "and |
might AS well keep on. don't feel it a
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? Shed appreciate such
nice house as yours.
ut would seem as if most any woman
might, said Mr. Wiggin, in an injured
tone, "all finished off complete, painted
outside and in"
"She'd be delighted with it, | am
sure of it p broke in Miss Dolly, with
an air Of conviction, as she darted into
the kitchen to liftth boiling kettle from
the crane.
" But you don't mean that you won't
marry me, DollyY pleaded Mr.. Wiggin,
anxiously, following to the door "Ive
been lotten' on seein' 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, snap
ping down the lid of the pugnosed tea
pot. "I never did have the name of
being cropping ?"
81 tell you, Dolly, | won't have
| don't like her turn p cried
Mr. Wiggin, testify, balancing himself
on the threshold, yet not daring to step
over it.
Miss Dolly gave her undivided atten-
ton to winging the hearth.
"You know You was always the wo-
man of my choice, Dolly" pursued MIR.
Wiggin, as tenderly as he could consis-
tently with the distance between them. ,
And we were both young
"Pshaw p snapped Miss Dolly scorch-
ing her wing; that's beyond the [
memory Of man r
MIR. Virgins position was becoming
painful. He grasped a door-post in \
either hand, looking wretched enough
to slay himself on the spot, after the