The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-03-03

napS tnaJS why IKE her HILLS better
than do Lucy, but shall do what's right
by her when she goes to housckeepin'.
I'm saving up halEdozen solid silver tea
spoons for her, and shall give her my gold
beads, too,'' taking hold of that string of
ancient adornments which encircled her
great fat neck. "Shall you go right to
keeping houseP' az A rrleTTTry--.7
al tell you I'm not going to be mar
ried," he screamed so loud that it seemed
to him all the neighbors must hear.
"Of course you want home to be hap
py, anybody does, and / always did be-
lieve in young folks going to housekeeping
as soon as they was married"
You're altogether mistaken" he
screamed in her ear, the perspiration start
ing from every pore.
The house already taken? Now
never. And to think they was trying to
keep it from me, and you've told me all
about it l shan't tell them, though, nor
anybody else, so you needn't be afraid.
can keep secret, if am an old woman"
81 wonder who grandma is talking
with ?' said Lucy, as a lull in the clatter
of dishes brought the sound of voices to
their ears.
Father, probably" replied Belinda.
have heard no one come in
Lucy put her last loaf of bread to rise,
washed her hands, took off her big apron,
and appeared in the sitting room, much to
Mr. Mays relief, just after grandma had
pledged herself to secrecy. She started in
surprise when she saw the guest.
"Why Mr.. May you here. Come into
the parlor," and Lucy led the way, leaving
grandma alone. "You must have had an
interesting visit with grandma
i think did," replied the gentleman,
wiping the perspiration from his brow.
"Sho's very hard of hearing, isn't she P''
every" said Lucy; "but she doesn't
realize it,"
81 seeit is so. could not make her
understand word yet from the answers
she gave me saw she thought she under
stood it ALL l guess she will conclude
have told her some strange stories"
"Never mind, she is always making
blunders, of course" said Lucy.
Meanwhile grandma had recovered from
her speechless indignation at seeing Lucy
carry off Belinda's beau to private con-
ference, and waddled out into the kitchen.
Belindy" she squealed, taking the
scrubbing cloth from her hand, ego right
into the parlor. Mr.. Mays in there with
Lucy"
No matter, grandma" laughed Belin-
da, wondering much at her evident frame
of mind.
"I'll finish up here, tell you. You
go right along" and grandma went to
scrubbing at the shelves, while Belinda, to
please her, went into the parlor.
Later in the afternoon, as the girls were
in the kitchen getting supper, for they al
ways worked together, Deacon Stiltsworth
called to see Mr.. Freeman on business
F" Walk right into the sitting room, dea-
CON-" said Lucy. "Father will be in di-
rectly !" so in went the deacon.
care you pretty well, this spring." he
shouted to grandma.
"Oh la, yes, our well and spring hold
out wonderfully, though some of the
neighbors was plagued for water most all
winter. How is your folksP"
swell as usual" nodded the deacon.
You haven't got out to meeting much,
through the winter have you?"
"Don't see much of BelindyP Well,
she's pretty steady and industrious, and
amt allers gaddin like some. Virtue
is its own reward, the writing book used to
say, and Lucy will have to dance in the
pigs trough, for she's two years the
oldest, and Belindy's going to be married
first"
"She p said the deacon looking sur
prised.
Yes, Belindy's going to be married in
meeting next Sunday morning, to young
Mr.. May, that's reading law with Squire
Willard. A dreadful nice young man he
is, pooty as pink. Now he come in here
this afternoon, when the gals was at work
in the kitchen, and just sot down and visit
ed with me as polite and attentive, talked
all over all his affairs just as open-hearted.
He's got ahouse all engaged and they're
going right to housekeeping.
The deacon's ears were all agape to
hear further particulars, but Mr.. Free
mans entrance just then cut short the
garrulous old lady, and as her son made
no allusion TO the coming event in the