River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1876-12-07
WHO MADE THE PROPOSAL?

From the Portland Sunday Times
DR.. Gibson, having made an unpro-
fessio2al visit to Mrs. Kellicott, walk
ed down to the gate with her daught-
er Matty.
Matty was 90 years old, and the
Doctor was 30. Her eyes were brown,
and his were gray. She chad on q
pink calico dress and a white muslin
apron; he wore clean, cOol-lOOking lin
en- clothes, and wide Panama hat.
The gentleman admired the lady's
flowers. very much, especially the
white roses.-one of which, by the
way, she had tucked under her right
ear. She inquired with considerable
show of interest about the Ruggles
children, who had the measles. He
told her gravely all about Tommy and
Ben, Alice and Kit /; and, when he had
finished, silence fell upon them.
Matty was leaning on the gate, look
ing down the village street. She
thought how funny it was for Mr..
Scott to paint his new house pea-green
with lavender trimmings, and was
about to say so to DR.. Gibson, when
he stopped her:
He said the very last thing she
would have expected to hear. He said:
''Matty, love you, and want you to
marry me
The very look in the bright, brown
eyes would have told him, without
single spoken word how thoroughly un.
looked-fOr such a proposal had been.
She had never, in all the years she had
known DIR. Gibson. thought for a mo-
ment of the possibility of his loving
her. She was very sorry, she told him,
but she didn't love him one bit, at
least in that way. But the tears came
into her eyes as she saw the quiet face
grow trifle pale.
II hardly believed you did care for
me-" he went on after a pause. But
| hoped you might yet learn to do it,"
. But-but-" said Matty, with en-
barrassment, 81 thought every one
knew was engaged to my cousin
Tom
'sYour cousin Tom - echoed the
Doctor. 1t was impossible to mistake
the impression that passed over his
face. 1t was not merely personal re-
greet at the fact she announced, but an
impartial diSappToval of the match.
lie made no comment, however, but
directly said:
''Matty. | shall never get over this
l mean that I shall always love you,
and if you need a friend or protector
or-Or any one, you'll come to me, won't
you 2"
She promised, and held out her hand
to him. He shook it warmly, and said
"God bless yOui" and left her hurried
ly.
Matty, still leaning on the WOO len
gate, watched the retiring figure out
of sight. She was very quiet all day,
and in the evening propounded this
absurd question:
"Tom, what Mould you do if would
jilt you 2"
Tom stroked his downy upper lip and
looked pensive.
Couldn't say" he replied, after
some moments of silence. "You might
try and see."
"Perhaps l will, she replied more
soberly than the occasion seemed to
warrant. Tom stared very hard at
her but immediately forgot the Incl
dent.
Nearly u year passed. One day Mrs.
Kellicott's ''help" rushed frantically
into DR.. GibsOn's house, and breath
lessly announced that ''Mr. Tom would
be deader'n door nail long before he
got there, if he didn't Jump" For
two seconds, thinking of him as his
rival in Mattie's affections, the Doctor
had half mind TO consign him to the
tender mercies of good, stupid old DIR.
Wells ; but his better nature prevailed,
and he started for Mrs. Kellicott's at
the very heels of the servant girl.
When he arrived he found Tom in a
high fever, and delirious. He pro-
nounced it severe case of typhoid
fever, and privately added doubt that
he would recover. He sent to his own
house for changes of clothing prepared
to devote himself TO the sick man.
Matte too, was unwearied in her work,
and, being much in Tom room, conse-
Quently saw the Doctor almost con-
stantly. He and his patient presented
a marked contrast TO each other. The
latter was captIous and peevish to an
unheard of degree, and talked almost
necessarily of some unknown being
named Kate. On the other hand DR..
Gibson was so patient and gentle, so
strong and helpful, doing so much for
Tom, and yet not forgetting one of his
accustomed duties. that Matty opened
her eyes in establishment.
One morning, as the Doctor prepared
sleeping draught for somebody, and
dictated to Matty a prescription for
somebody else, she said with real So
licitude:
"Dr. Gibson. you will certainly kill