The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1877-06-07

comfortable, his fireside so cOzy, his be-
longings SO conveniently scattered about,
his club meetings, his pleasant little din
ncrs with friend or two-all would van.
ish like happy dream, to be followed by
what unknown, dreadful reality of here
after! Well, we'll, it must be done. He
laughed no more as he rose to COM
plete his preparations. His honor
was at least at stake. He might sleep
then at least. Tedious curtain lecturesl
These might even be endured if he had
his business hours in peace; and Mr..
BulbO's spirits rose again sufficiently to
give the closet door good kick, and
shake his fist 1T it as he left the room
with the travelling gear.
The next afternoon he was walking
hastily along the quiet street of Miletord.
Nothing but the urgency of the case could
was dreadful step he had taken, but the
disease in this case was worse than any
could be, and called for a violent remedy.
Mr.. Bulbo was not q stranger IN Milford,
having spent some of his early years
there, and was soon warmly greeted in
Mr.. KOpp's kitchen. The farmer and his
wife hailed him as Mr.. George, cs they
had been in the habit Of calling him in
earlier days, and Mr.. Bulbo, glad to es-
cape from the name which had so an
noyed him, begged them not to mention
his surname.
His room looked out on quiet mead
ow. and it was with feeling of intense
relief he missed the smoking chimneys of
his usual abode. At tea he was met and
was waited upon by Mr.. Kopp's niece,
Polly. She had such flow of good spir-
its that he forgot duty, and entered into
merry conversation, which he unwillingly
ended at her pointed suggestion of his
need of a smoke. He joined Mr.. Kopp
ON the veranda, and soon told him of his
errand-nOt the cause, but the plain fact
that he was in search of wife.
II thought I couldn't do better than
come here" he said, trying to speak care
lessiy. 1.-THE fact is, I'm tired of living
a bachelor life."
Oh, the miserable subterfuge! Mr..
BulbO hated himself for being obliged to
resort to it. Mr.. Kopp mentioned several
names, particularly recommending one
young lady whom Mr.. Bulbo remembered
as q child, and offering to introduce him
that evening.
won't you go. Pollys" he called into
the kitchen.
mo, thanks" and Mr.. Bulbo felt dis
appointed and half inclined to give up the
venture.
Bulbo made up short call. as he felt
| weary, and as he opened the kitchen door,
| on his return, Polly sat by the window,
singing and pairing apples. A nice little
cot protected her finger from the stain,
and she nodded smiling welcome as she
put bit of apple between her rosy lips.
MIR. BulbO leaned on the chair to chat, and
soon asked for a knife, to help.
{" But you'll have to wear a cot"
Put it on" he responded, stretching
out his hand.
"They are too small" she cried, after
several mirth-provoking attempts to place
them.
Cant something else dor" he help
lessly inquired: can't bear to lie idle"
Yes; I'll wind them up in rags" and
her doft fingers soon bound his hands.
1t was late when they finished, for Polly
insisted that the pairing should be perfect,
and their aid was required in solving mat
rimOnial questions. Hers only formed a
b, at which she was much provoked; but
Mr.. Bulbo's was very definite.
lis it q p. or an F." she asked, puz-
cling over the letter. ~ declare it's as
much like an NJ as anything"
When at last bedtime came, without
doubt Polly lighted his candle, and be-
tween them they dropped the shutters
three times before he got fairly started.
In the morning he must see the farm, and
as Mr.. KOpp's work was urgent, Polly
was impressed to do the hOnors. On their
return the .un was too hot to 60 out, and
it was pleasanter to chat in the sitting
room. After dinner came the fascinating
sight of Polly with her sleeves sOlled up,
| al, fuD ssNptN he
of her hair tucked behind her little ears
and away from checks where the color
came and went in . mOment-that the
dishes might be washed. Then when she
disappeared moment Mr.. Bulbo thought
he would make call. but when she APP.
peared in fresh muslin, was moved to
ask if there was not somewhere tor them
to 60 Not but that see enough that's
charming here"
Polly turned away with little frown,
and M. Bulbo was, as usual, upbraidiug
himself, when q deepening red ON her
neck persuaded him that he had made an
irrevocable mistake. They went to Lyn-
brook, and only got home in time for Pol
" to get tea. After that Mr.. Kopp pro-
posed to call on another young lady, but
Mr. Bulbo had discovered that Polly sang
and as music was his great delight, and
he made some attempts, though no preten-
siOns in that quarter, he insisted on q
song. One followed another, their voices
harmonized finely, and another evening
was gone.
This was the example of many days.
Polly had read some new book that had
particularly pleased Mr.. Bulbo and she
was so lively and piquant it was delight
full to talk to her. She was remarkably
well educated, which surprised Mr.. Bulb0
as Mileford was but country place.
"Ah, now. you'd like to ask questions, -
she cried, a he lei drop something of that
4 kind. 81 was not brought up here, and
that's all I'll say. Ladies only are priv
legged to ask questions"
There is one that gentlemen may ask, y
softly said Mr.. Bulbo, leaning toward her
but she sprang from her seat and ran ur
; stairs.
"Bulbo, you're fool" was the gentle
mans mental comment. I'm afraid
you're in love-y0u are, by Jove!" he
J calculated, as he seized the handkerchief
Polly had dropped. And pressing 1t t.
his Inns, placed It In his inner pocket.
u 1t was to be feared that was the truth
Mr.. Bulbo had been five weeks at Mr.
Kopp's and had entirely forgotten the
cause of his coming. He had made bu
! one call in search Of the wife who was t.
vindicate his character in the virtuou.
city OF Brookley, but had fingered all thi'
> time by the side of . bright-eyed, plump
, little damscl, who had become . necessity
to him, and without whom he felt hi
, bachelor room would be dreary indeed
. Why wouldn't she do a. we'll, better thar
t any one else, for his purposef She was .
3 darling, would make him happy, refut,
: the scandal, destroy the tenant of tina
closet ughl Yes. yes. But-a blank
8 great and unspeakable, fell on Mr.. Bulb,
J. Is he contemplated the idea that shl
q might reject him. In all his plans b.
8 had never once thought Of that. Not tina
he was overbold; he had NO opinion O
his abilities, but the extremity had beea