The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1877-03-29
WHAT BROWN LEFT TOWN
. ~ FOR.

WHAT BROWN LEFT TOWN
r,ev FOR.
Such a commotion as there was in
Barbary Green-among the feminine
portion of it was never known before
by the oldest inhabitants.
Thomas Jefferson Brown, who was
considered az much a fixture in the
place as the town pump, had gone, no
one knew whittier.
That he should have left town with
out telling where he was going, what
he was going for, and when he was
coming back, were considered in the
light Of q personal affr0nt by his fel.
Interchangeable in general, and the
widow Peabody in particular.
The Widow Peabody was one OF
those kind hearted creatures to be
found, 10 a greater or less extent, in
every country village who take q deep
interest in their neighbors' affairs,
often neglecting their own to attend
to them. But virtue in this wicked
world of ours often fails of its reward
and we are sorry to say that this
worthy individuals disinterested eff.
forts in her neighbors' behalf not Uni.
frequently met with a base return,
some of them being so unreasonable
as to suppose they knew their own
business best, and could manage it
without any of her help.
But this by no means discouraged
the Widow Peabody. She expected
sech things from them that didn't
know no BETTER" as she often OBJ
served. It now being her self-evident
duty to find ont the why's and where
fores of Mr.. Browns sudden and mys.
ferrous disappearance, she set about it
with all commendable zeal and alac.
rity.
She commenced operations by pump.
ing Josh Hardwick, who used to do
odd jobs for him, and anyone else who
needed his services. Josh being one
of those handy individuals 50 often
found in Yankeedom, who 'can turn
their hands to most anything" But
Josh was non.committal either he
had nothing to tell, or was indisposed
to tell what he did know.
Mrs. Peabody believed it was the
latter and, as the natural effect of this
conclusion, the old kitchen clock that
had licked quietly in the corner for a
quarter OF a century was suddenly dis
covered to need ''fixing.'
Now, be it known that there are
none of these natural-born geniuses of
the New England type but that can
take a clock to pieces and put it to.
gether again-to quote Josh Hard
wick's frequent assertion-'jest as
easy as nothin'.''
Josh hated the Widow Peabody
"wuss than pison,' to use his emphat-
ic language: but he callers Gale lated
on bein' perlite to wimen-folks. And
then he was glad of a s'job"; nothing
suiting him better than ''tinkerin' as
he called it. So he lost no time in
''steppin in tew the widder's, jest tew
take squint at the consarn." He set
it "a goin'," and then closing one eye
and squirting up the other, in a man.
ner peculiar to him, watched the pen
dulum as it swung solemnly to and
fro.
"Don't keep good time, hey? Suth.
ms out Of killer, s'pose. I'll soon find
OUT
Suiting the action to the word, Josh
soon had the wheels and weights, and
all the varied mechanism, spread upon
the table before him. "Needs cleanin' F.,
expect"
This gratuitous information was vol.
unteered to the Widow Peabody, who
stood looking over his shoulder, her
thoughts intent upon the subject that
so puzzled her astute, preaching
mind. 'sHow very suddenly Mr..
Brown did 60 off! Don't you think
so!''
swell, no, marin; can't say as /
do. I thought he fingered surprising.
His darter told me at the funeral -
''Oh I didn't mean that Mr.. Brown;
but Thomas-him that left town in
SIGH terrible hurry that he didn' t
have time to bid good-by tew nobody.
You was seen talking with him that
mornin' he went; what did he say he
was goin' fur, an where tow =
II do know more the man in the
moon he. didn't tell me nothin'
meet him in the street. down by
Deacon SINNERS, with his carpet-bag
in his hand. JOSH says he, I'm
goin' out of town. Here's dollar F.;
that makes us square, l b'lieve.
He was alters good pay, Ill say that
much for him.
The widow pursed up her lips, shak-
ing her head mysteriously E; these sim.
pie words had to her meaning Of dire.
full import.
"Ah ! there it is! If he'd have ex-
pected to come back, he'd have waited.
It's just as thought-he don't intend
to come back
''Mebbe not, responded Josh taking
a prolonged sqpint at the balance which
he was adjusting ''but l don't see no
reason why he shouldn't, if he has a
mind tew.''
''But there is no reason, if you can t
help it !" said the widow, with re-
proving shake Of the head. "There' 3
reason in everythin'. Didn't he look
sorter SCHENECTADY, as if he had heard
some bad news!''
"Wal, no; can't say as lie did.
didn't notice nothin' pecoolyer bout
him, 'cept he kept his han 'keercher
tew his mouth, as if he'd got the tooth
ache, or suthin'."
"He wanted to hide his face, more
ikev retorted the widow. 'sHo was
ashamed tew be seen sneakin' out of
town that fashion. an no wonder -
''Mebbe so.'' was the philosophical
rejoinder.
San then tew think how attentive
he's been tew Mahitable Green! Every
body said they was as good as engaged.
He goes there every Saba day, even
in, an alters waits on her home from
meetin'. Tew my certain knowledge,