Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1874-01-12

I
Ing on gathering catnip.
She was fifty years old now, and hoped 81
had her wits about her.
"You used to say kept good time, only tc
much of it, pursued Wiggin, with sudden Ii
spiration; "but l tell you what, Dolly, tin
never dragged with me then as it does thes
daysl"
at is dull season." sail Miss Dolly, wit
exasperating simplicity. IL suppose the gras
hoppers have eaten most OF your wheat, havn
they, so it will hardly pay for reaping?"
"Just so," assented Mr. Wiggin, discounted
lie had not travelled Eve miles to discuss th
state of the crops.
"Walk in ami sit down, won't you7'' sal
Miss Dolly with reluctant hospitality. lie
apron was crammed at last to its utmost capa
ci'y. She devoutly wished II had been littl
larger.
well, yes, don't care if do" answerc,
MT. Wlggin, have little business farther on
al the blacksmth's. No hurry though as
enow oil, :, and he turned TO let down the bar
ior Miss Dolly, who meanwhile Dimbly slppe,
through the fence; catnip and all.
"Bles3 my heart! don't see but what you'
a. spfy as ever you was," said he, admirinc
W. as he pufied along in her wake. "Still you
must oe gong into years, Dolly, as well as l.
no oiience,l hoDe-and was wondering wheth.
| heIe?" ''0">
"oh, never wa, ono of the lonesome kind. .
responded Miss Dolly, briskly, seating her
'and, for that matter, hardly day passes with
out some OF James fJlks running in.'
yes, Know; but if you was to cha, ce yeur
situation, wouldn't you enjoy life better? now
| think" ''"
Miss Dolly fidseted at the green paper cur.
Jams, anu liitiinated that her present happiness
wou'u oe Completed If the grasshoppers would
only stop feeding on her garden Sauce.
:" That's just it," continued Mr.. Wiyein ear-
eeriy; "you do seem 10 need man to look ont
ior your farming interests, now don't you
Doiy; man tharil be ready and Willing TO do
Tor you, and make YOU comfortable?"
81 don't know" said Miss Dolly, tryly.-
=" lie year before father died | did have Silas
lottcr and he Is the most faithful creature liy-
ing; bnt what with extra cooking and washing
had 10 do for him, my work was doubleI
anu when mlii-.me came / was glad enough
10 send him oil and hire by the day. | about
male up my mind that men folks around the
house cost more n they come to.''
~ guess We don't unde rstand one another.
said NJ Wiggin, slightly Disconnected by This
uhnaiterlnS view Of his sex. 81 wasn't speak
lng Oh hlrsd heip, Dolly. Naturally you would
tire with thai; IFS woiTyn to a woman. But
IL you was to have a companion, now-one
tllat could give you good home, with wood
and water under cover"
"Shoo shoe shoe ~ cried Miss Dolly. 1v-
ing out after an inquirng chicken on the door
step. N'''
Mr.. Wiggn drew his red pocket hauoker.
cniei 81 from ms nat 70 wipe his glowing face
Certainly he hadn't felt the heat so all through
haying.
slows your health now .a-,lays? asked Miss
Dolly, frisking back with lock of resolute un- |
"Very good; remarkably good don't know |
where you'l lind man, Dolly, with tougher |
constitution than Pve GOT"
"Ah :" Miss Dolly blushed like a sumac in
October, :"
"Ics, IN WE'LL" pursued Mr.. Wigpip. ner.
'eYeriiisy, sand Pm tolerably well to do, with
nothing to hinder my marrying again, provided
can see woman to my mind."
There's the de cons widow" suggested
Mss Dolly, oilicously; "she is piot s, ec5i oni
I'D"
"She's left with means enough to carry her
through handsomely" interrupted Mr.. Wippin
lniakly. snow Ill rather have wifi, To nro-
ir for-one that needed home. In fact Dol
y, have my eye on the little woman | want
his minute"
lie had both eyes on her, for that matter, and
ilss Dolly was forced to recognize he situa-
ION, whether she accepted it ornoi.
i've managed to sugar my tea so far, David,
Without calling upon my neighbois,n chirruped
Ill
and might as well keep on. l don't feel il
TAX as some folks would ButtheIe is Martha
,uhlilIig, she is having harl time TO get |
"hg' why don't you take her, David? She'd
ppreciate such nice house as yours"
III would seem as ii most any woman might
40 Mr' Wlgsin, III al injured tone 'all finish
d on complete, painted outside and iu-n
"She'd be delighted with it. 1 am sure If
=. broke in Miss Dolly, with an air of conyic-
on, AS she darted into the kitchen 10 liTi ,hp ,
olling kettle from the crane
"bllI yon don't mean that you wont marry |
le, Dolly" pleaded Mr.. Wiggin, anxiously,
'llowng her To the door. "I'v. been setiu'
II seein you at the head of things in INV
ouse."
'Martha is a grand manager" slid Miss Dolly.
polly. David needn't think he can buy me
III u set OF new buildings y added she mem
NV, swapping down the lid of the pug-uosed
a'pot. i never did have The name Of being {
'opppy =
Il tell you, Dolly, wont hcvc Martha; {
ont like her turn 7 cried Mr. Wigsin, testify,
'lahcing himself on The threshold, yet moi Q
iring 20 step over ii.
Miss Dolly gave her undivided attention to
lnging tie hearth.
on know you was always the woman of c
y cholce, Dolly pursued Mr.. Wisgin, as ten I
,rly as lie could consistently with the distance
'tween Them Aud We were both young"
rshaW! snapped Miss Dolly, scorching her e
ing that's beyond the memory OF man,n :
Mr. Wiggln $ position WAS beconing painful. ..
g grasped door post in either hand, wretch.
enough TO sliy himself Oh the spot, after the =
saxon OF Samson Evidently lie had not touch !
the right chord as yet. Miss Dolly was not 0
De Won by the attractions Of wealth and po- Q
hon, nor even by tender illusions to the past. Il
would appeal to her kindness OF heart. al t
ed to believe you had some feelin' Dolly.
al l,t,r |
I'VE any for NE. Here 1 am left alone in lne 7
'rld; children all paired of, thouts Matilda,
i'd she'll go before the snow flies; house n
npty-" y
Il suppose you can have Il home with n o st :
" one OF your boys, and welcoine,' put in
lss Dolly, family, still luLtering about the
mney like Il swallow.
Yes, If worst comes to worst, | suppose 1
H., assented Mr.. Wiggin,mournfully, anytLiu-s O
II consolei by this reflection. 1T would break h
e down terribly, though you may depend, To 4
We up my place that 1 set SO much by, and h
ovid myself on to my children q
No response save the Gathering of the tonas. Z
And it's dreadful melancholy business for =
man at my time of life TO drag along wilhout i.
partner I'm getting tn be old Dolly Mr., :,
lggin brushed his sleeve across his ewes as a U
ruled school boy might have done Yes. d
n getting to ba old, Dolly he repeated brck-
NY; and it stands to reason that haven't =,
any years to live; but did hope We might IL l.,
down hill together, Dolly, you chirkins me !, =,
with that sDry way of yourn that always IL :,
Ok 10, and carrying the heft Of n n
Here Miss Dolly gave little sniff, nothing =,
or'h mentioning only for the effect il produc- !,
on MIR. Wiggn. Indeed, had his ears been =,
old as he pretended, he would not have sus- q
cted her OF being effected by anything more ~
rious than cold in the head ,
Can't you make up your mind to have me, ;,
oily p pleaded he, crossing the threshold in T