The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1877-04-05
JOHN CoLT0S's OFFER.


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JOHN C0LTON'S OFFER.
4 story or All FOOLS nay.
Miss Rebecca Pinkham was maiden
lady of some thirty years, rather comely
with good ranch well 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 ol
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
gladdened their vision.
But after having been taken to every
visit, excepting the Peak, and few other
inaccessible places, Miss Pinkhah, acting
rs their charivteer, their equipage rick
ETY. spring wagon and venerable, but sure
footed, mule, the restless girls longed for
GOluGtuluk u0W W Cull Oh tu0 btOk uly QdYe
of a Colorado spring.
Learning one day that their nearest
neighbor was bashful old bachelor, q
regular woman-h -hater, as it had been
ayerred, they determined upon making his
acquaintance and trying the effect Of
blonde and brunette beauty upon his OBJ.
durate heart.
So they contrived TO be overtaken, one
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"
80 they helped themselves to seats near
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!' muttered 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 ruined''
continued Belle.
"Or asked to see Us home, or offered to
send and have Jenkins come for US,
though it's nearly darkr' and Sue
stamped 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
received from her.
HE is a good, honest man." she said.
He has been my neighbor for five years,
and have never heard him slightingly
spoken Of save by foolish girls like you. .
He hates women, I know he does''
cried Belle, her black eyes swapping.
g 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. us!'' exclaimed Sue,
He's q savagel He doesn't know how
to treat lady"
"You mistake there" answered Miss
Pinkham. Ais mother was lady, and
an invalid for years, and he came to this
country for her health. She 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 q year ago"
"Well, he doesn't like girls, +" and Belle
knit her pretty brows and curled her ripe,
red lips.
"'iis easy 10 see he is favorite with
Aunt Becky. Why don't you set your
cap for him, aunty!'' said Sue.
The spinster' face flushed scarlet.
"Oh, aunty! aunty! See her blush r.
cried Belle. But tits no use. Well
never call him uncle'-will we, Sue
The old bearl"
You will probably never have an op.
portunity," 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 invIlnerable bachelor, who
they were sure had been unpxrdonably
rude to them
srAhd itp ibe such fun, declared
! : Though rather hard on aunty."
Oh, we'll, she'll never know"
And full OF their project, they ran down
stairs to make peace with dear "Aunt
MI Mis- Plnkhasa received them kiadly,
and NO reference was made to the preced-
ing conversation. g ss
a few days after, ~ the trio sat In the
pleasant little parlor, Miss Pinkham sew
ing at the machine, Bell6feedihg sn0vel,
and Sue drawing all sorts Of unwar-
rantable sounds from the cabinet organ,
jenkins entered with . letter in his hand.
!" For me, is itY' inquired lim Pink.
ham, letting the dainty ruiiiing fall IN
needed to the floor, as she took the mis-
siye and narrowly regarded II
!, Il wa 4 rather thick -fceli3f leltofs IL
clused IL 4 deep yellow env6 l6r9s ixected
in i bold back ND Ntl VIcle3 III 4
sss ,ss sost@ssR esGR 81 e "a ssss & g si9
!ses near ty, ~ Nill ss Y y ~ ! 4
~ dpieted A.
scissors, trimmed y ~ =
ope and drew f6Ell a
h6n} fkan Il the = ~, y f6I'
tonu.3l Ehen, with MAJ 1rsen1&ging ex:
ptessfodaeAe roee md lily cont1nding To-
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