The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1877-04-05
JOHN coLToS's OFFER.
A story or AIl Fool,s Day,


JOHN COLT0N's OFFER.
4 Story Of All FOOLS Day.
Miss Rebecca Pinkham was maiden
lady of some thirty years, rather comely
with good ranch we'll stocked, and man.
aged by her friend and servant Jenkins
whose wife assisted in the dairy and
kitchen.
At the time of which we write the rath.
er commOdious residence Of Miss Pink.
ham was frightened by the presence Of
two madcap nieces from Illinois, who had
come out to the Rocky Mountains to
spend a summer with "dear Aunt
Becky" who lived in delightful proxim.
ity to Manitou Springs, Pixies Peak,
Monument Park, Garden of the Gods and
other places of interest of which they had
heard, but the sight of which had never
glsdGened their vision.
But after having been taken to every
spot, as they had expressed desire to
visit, excepting the Peak, and a few other
inaccessible places, Miss Pinkhafn, acting
rs their chariuteer, their equipage rick.
ETY. spring wagon and venerable, but sure
footed, mule, the restless girls longed for
something new to enliven the stormy days
uf Colorado spring.
Learning one day that their nearest
neighbOr was bashful old bachelor, a
regular woman -hater, as it had been
averred, they determined upon making his
acquaintance and trying the effect of
blonde and brunette beauty upon his OBJ
durate heart.
Co than onnfrtuod In ho b
March afternoon, by driving snow
storm, seeking shelter in John Colton's
bachelor den. asking with the prettiest
assumption OF innocence for the lady OF
the house, and ii they might be permitted
to stop till the storm was over.
"Of course-yes-certainly they could
stop if they wished"
SO they helped themselves to seats near
a dirty kitchen stove, and John Cotton,
without glance of admiration at Bellies
black eyes and raven braids, or Sues
magnetic blue orbs and golden curls, re-
sumed his work, mending some broken
harness, his back meanwhile turned to-
ward his evidently unwelcome visitors.
Shameful!'' said Belle, as they fought
their way home through the storm an
hour later.
"Old bear!" mdttercd Sue.
"Never asked US to take off our hats or
cloaks, though he could see we were lit
orally covered with snow, and it all melt
ell, till I'm sure our hats are ruinedp'
continued Belle.
"Or asked to see US home, or offered to
send and have jenkins come for us,
though it's nearly darkn' and Sue
along, overcome with the storm
and her indignation.
Into the ears of "Aunt Becky" they
poured the tale of their woes, but that
lady only frowned. Little sympathy they
from her.
''He is a good, honest man." she said.
" He has been my neighbor for five years,
and have never heard him siightingly
spoken Of save by foolish girls like you. ~
He hates women, / know he 1oes!"
cried Belle, her black eyes swapping.
6 You have no reason to say so," re-
turned Miss Pinkham, warmly, merely
because he did not care to humor the van
ity of two silly, unmaidenly girls by fall
ing into the trap he could only too plainly
see."
He was rude to usI' exclaimed Sue,
tears of vexation standing in her eyes.
" He's savage! He doesn't know how
to treat a lady"
You mistake there" answered Miss
His mother was lady, and
an invalid for years, and he came to this
country for her health. ilShe told me her
self the sacrifices he made to do SO; and
all through her illness he tended her with
all the gentleness Of woman. She died
but year ago."
"Well, he doesn't like gtrls, and Belle
knit her pretty brows and curled her ripe,
red lips.
"'1is easy 10 see he is favorite with
Aunt Becky. Why don't you set your
cap for him, aunty! said Sue.
The spinster's face flushed scarlet.
"Oh, aunty! aunty! See her blush!''
cried Belle. "But it's no use. Well
never call him uncle'-will we, Sue
The old bear!''
"You will probably never have an OPP
returned Miss Pinkham, cold
ly, evidently much displeased, as, taking
her work box from the table, she arose and
left the room.
The two girls ran up to their room to
dress for tea. While making the necessa-
ry changes in their toilet they INDUCED
in sundry threats of vengeance upon the
head of the invrlnerable bachelor, who
they were sure had been unpxrdonably
rude to them
aAnd i'm be such fun," declared
Belle. s84 f8s4
: Though rather hard on aunty."
"Oh, well, she'll never know"
And full OF their project, they ran down
stairs to make peace with dear "Aunt
Becky"
Miss Pinkhan received them kindly,
and no reference was made to the preced-
ing conversation. 9 tss
A few days after, as the trio sat in the
little parlor, Miss Pinkham sew
ing al the machine, Belle reading novel,
and Sue drawing all sorts OF unwar-
sounds from the cabinet organ,
Jenkins entered with letter in his hand.
For me. is itr' inquired Miss Pink
ham, letting the dainty rufiiing fall un-
needed to the floor, as she took the mis-
sive and narrowly regarded II.
It was 4. rather thick feeling letter, In
clused Ia Z deep yellow envelope, directed
in q bold back hand. with violet ink. Il
was 8 drop letter, :, % she discovered By
the postmark. which was that 0f Ire VII
lsge near by, and with some llttIe curfos-
~ depleted or heE face, she took AZ
scissors, trimmed OF the end q w pQvel-
ope and drew forth y q 1esls;
cap paper. - i0e1l . ne q.
dress, which X4s dSar Nj
ham & than 1t the sI4l gure. !. Jo6n9 COL
ton II Then, with ma1ty asehanging ex-
pssssions he rose and lily contending fci