American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1875-02-20

curial thermometers would be made
quate to record, he sent to New York for
a tine spirit Thermometer, for which he
was charged a spirited price. 1t arrived in
good season, but on examining it it was
found to be only graduated to thirty de-
grees below zero. He says it is good
enough summer thermometer, but it isn't
calculated" for this kind of winter
How Philander Plumsted Popped the
Question.
PHuANDER PLUMsTED was bachelor,
and it was universally believed in the
town he inhabited that he would live and
die bachelor. No one who knew him
thought that he had or ever would have
a tender consideration for one of the OPP
posite sex; and doubt not that it sur
prised even himself to discover that he
had, somewhere under his antique waist
coat, an lnexplicable sensation of that
character. Was it but a momentary
| fancy? He tried very hard to persuade
himself that it was but he lost his appe-
tite; he grew restless He found it use
less to strive against what was inevita-
| ble-he loved.
| He loved as many had loved before
him, and as many others will love until
the world comes to an end.
The object of his affectionate ardor
was the widow Wilkinson, who was not
slow to understand his feelings nor to
encourage his little attentions.
Phiander possessed tall and slender
| figure, sharp features, straight black
hair, which he brushed back smoothly
behind his ears, large hands and feet,
and n very solemn and melancholy ex-
preston of countsnance. He usually
wore light gray suit of ministerial
pattern, a pair of ancient, iron bowed
| oo1ac av,A or sr,oh hot ito mt
of fashion, in which he was accustomed
to carry large red bandana silk hand
kerchief
The widow Wilkinson was cheerful
and plump-looking little woman, with
rosy cheeks and bright eyes and win
some voice whose dulcet tones Philander
Plumsted found irresistible.
For several weeks Philander struggled
to overcome the tender passion that was
fast acquiring a dangerous dominion
over him. He grew absent minded. His
features became sharper and his form
more spare. He thought of the widow
Wilkin son-he dreamed Of the widow
Wilkinson, and at last, in desperation, he
determined to WOO and win the widow
| Wilkinson.
Several times he attended her home
from the evening meetings; several
times favorable opportunity was pre-
sented for him to make the desired dec
laration but his courage always failed
him at the opportune moment, and after
bidding her good night at the farmhouse
gate he sauntered slowly hOmeward
with his hands in his trousers pockets,
with his love untold.
He would rather have faced a shower
of grape and canister than have met the
arrows shot by the dangerous glances of
the widows beauteous eyes.
But one quiet summer evening he
dressed himself with scrupulous care
and called upon the widow. He was
told that she was out, but would be in
presently. He seated himself rigidly
his antiquated hat stiff1y upon his trem.
bling knees and fixing his gaze upon q
vase of flowers upon the table near him
He began to think of what he should
say and how he should say it, when the
charming little widow put in an appear.
ance.
He was alone-so deeply absorbed did
) consciously he began to utter his thoughts
, aloud. So earnestly did he become in
terested in the subject under considers
ton that he did not notice the widow,
} who softly entered the room on tiptoe
and noiselessly seated herself in an easy
chair behind him.
His words gradually grew more and
more audible.
"Ahm said he to himself, life is real
Life is earnest Life is-it is indeed
He paused and wiped his mouth with
his red silk handkerchief and continued
: Man was not made to dwell alone
What do l see before me? Flowers
Who plucked those fragrant flowers-eh'
Her hand plucked them. l could kiss
) that hand"
The widow nearly choked with sup
|
of her presence in the room, Philandel
7 proceeded to commune with himself:
"She is fair and vet love her-thougf
she is woman. Why is she a woman
Because-because-th 1 may love her
J Why do l love herr Because-she i.
good and beautiful. What shall l say
! to her. Woman, wilt thou? Mrs. Viii
kinson-win you go with me to my
Shouse. Will you be bone of my bone
and flesh of my flesh? Will you love me
cherish me till death do us part? Ii
short, will you marry me?"
Phildnder Plumsted, 1 soiHr'
Had ladle of melted metal been
poured down his back Philander would
not have been more surprised and aston
ished. He started to his feet, hardly
knowing whether to retreat or stand
firmly where he was His iron-bowec
spectacles slipped from his nose and fell
: upon the floor. His hat rolled under the
!, table. After regarding the widow for 9
moment he nervously said:
Mrs. Wilkinson, are you really in
| earnest"
81 am"
$50 am L."
They were called in church tie next
Sunday.-Eugene j. Hall, in Our Firesid<
Friend.
Bean Porridge.-Parboil the beans
as if for baking; drain and put them in
the liquor. This needs the salt earlier
than the soup, and no flavor save the
beans. Boil until the beans become
broken and tender, and then add hulled
. corn or Indian meal, or both. Stir in the
meal carefully, not to lump or get too
thick. When it is well cooked and sea,
soned properly, take large spoon and
stir thoroughly together. You will have
a luscious dish, and "better when nine
days old" says the proverb. A slice of a
nice piece of pork is relish in the above
dish.-Cor. Pacific Rural Press.
How to Fry Chicken.-The best fried
chickens are thus prepared: The chick
ems are killed, scalded, picked and
washed out cleanly in water, then quar-
tered and thrown into boiling lard. In q
few minutes they are done brown and
: are then to be removed and served up
hot and dry; not put into grease again
In this way the fowl is tender as
chicken" and is a great delicacy. If you