Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1877-05-11
JOHN COLTON'S OFFER.
A Story of All Fools Day.
BY MRS. l.. w. GEORGE.

Miss Rebecca Pinkham was a
maiden lady of some thirty years,
rather comely, with a good ranch
well stocked, and managed by her
friend and servant, jenkins, whose
wife assisted in the dairy and kitch-
en-.
At the time of which we write, the
rather commodious residence of Miss
Pinkham 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 proximity to
Manitou Springs, Pixies Peak, Mon
ument 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 spot, as they had expressed a
desire to visit, excepting the Peak,
and few other inaccessible places,
Miss Pinkham, acting as their char
ioteer, their equlpage arickety spring
wagon and venerable, but sure-foot-
ed, mule, the restless girls longed
for something new to enllven the
stormy days of a Colorado spring.
Learning one day that their near
est neighbor was bashful old bach
elor, a regular woman-hater, as 1t
had been averred, they determined
upon making his acquaintance and
trying the effect Of blonde and bru-
nette upon his obdurate heart.
so they contrived to be overtak-
en-, one March afternoon, by driv-
ing snow storm, seeking shelter in
John Colton's bachelor den, asking
with the prcttiest assumption of in
nocence for the lady Of the house,
and if 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 dirty kitchen stove, and John
Cotton, without a glance of admira-
ton at Bellies black eyes and raven
braids, or Sues magnetic blue orbs
and golden curls, resumed his work,
mending some broken harness, his
back meanwhile turned toward his
evidently unwelcome visitors.
"Shamefulw said Belle, rs 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 Utterly covered with snow,
and it all melted, till Pm sure our
hats are ruinedw continued Bell.
"Or ask to see us home, or offered
to send and have jenkins come for
us, though it's nearly dark" 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's good, honest man." she
said. "He has been my neighbor
for five years, and l have never
heard HIM slightingly spoken Of
save by foolish girls like YOU"
"He hates women, l know he
does!" cried Belle, her black eyes
swapping.
"You have no reason to say sc"
returned Miss Pinkham, warmly,
"merely because he did not care to
humor the vanity of two silly, un-
maidenly girls by falling INTO the
trap he could only too plainly see"
"Ie was rude to us!' exclaimed
Sue, tears of vexation standing in
her eyes. "He's a savage, he doesn't
know how to treat lady"
"You mistake there" answered
Miss Pinkham. ellis mother was a
lady, and an invalid for years, and
he came this country for her health.
She told me herself the sacrifices he
made to do so; and all through her
illness he tended her with all the
gentleness of a woman. She died
but year ago"
"Wcll, he doesn't love girls" and
Belle knit her pretty brows and curl
ed her ripe, red lips.
"Tis easy to see he is a favoritc
with Aunt Becky. Why don't you
set your cap for him, aunty?" said
Sue.
The spins.er's face flushed scarlet.
"Oh, aunty! aunty! See her
blushr' cried Belle. "But tits no
use. Well never call him uncle
will we, Sue? The old bear!'
"You will probably never have an
opportunity" returned Miss Pink
ham, coldly, evidently much dis,
pleased, as, taking her work box
from the table, she arose and lett
the room.
The two girls ran up to their room
to dress for tea. While making the
necessary changes In their toilet,
they indulged in sundry threats OF
vengeance upon Jne nead OF Cne III
vulnerable bachelor, who they were
sure had been unpardonably rude to
them.
"And it'll be such fun" declared
Belle.
"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 deal
"Aunty Becky"
Miss Pinkllam received them
kindly, and no reference was made
to the preceding conversation.
A few days after, as the trio sat
in the pleasant little parlor, Miss
Pinkham sewing at the machine
Belle reading a novel, and Sue draw
ing all sorts of unwarrantable sounds
from the cabinet organ, jenkins en-
tered with letter in his hand.
"For me, is it?" inquired Miss
Pinkham, letting the dainty ruffiing
fall unheeded to the floor, rs she
took the missive and narrowly re
garded it. @
1t was rather thick.feeling letter
inclosed in deep yellow envelope
directed in a bold back hand, with
violet ink. 1t was drop letter, SC