Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1877-05-11
INDEPENDENCE, IOWA, FRIDAY, MAY II.

!
and, as, you know, l have always been
diffident in the presence of your sex.
am aware that in a personal interview
should fail entirely to express myself as
could wish. To be. brief, then, will
come to the subject which has caused me
to intrudc thus, as fear am intruding
Ever since We have lived neighbors to
each other, l have admired you, and
long ago learned to love you. While
my mother lived could not speak, for l
did not dare to ask you to become my
wife, lest you might think / wished you
to share my burden, though dear burden
it was to me, who loved her so we'll l
have waited now year, and l feel that if
l am ever to ask you this all-important
question, now is the time-I love you as /
have never loved before as / never can
again. Will you be my wife? l will call
this evening for your answer, which will
make me the happiest or most desolate of
men. Very truly yours,
JOIN COTTON.
Belle Jennison had her novel up
side down, but she was very intense
ly engaged in reading, apparently,
and Sue was humping away at the
organ, regardless of time or tune.
"Girls," said Mis- Pinkham, rising
abruptly, as she folded her letter,and
returned 1t to its envelope, 81 shall
not be down to dinner"
care you sick, aunty?" cried the
officious nieces, in breath.
"Did you get bad news in your let
ter?"
"No, not SICK" and, with little
smile, "no bad news"
"But you mast be SICK" cried sym.
pathizing Sue. "Why, you are as
pale as ghost"
"Looks more as if she had 4 fever
said Belle, for a sudden flush had
suffused brow and cheeks.
81 tell you Pm not SICK" returned
Miss Pinkham. 81 want to be alone,
that is all. One of you can bring
me up a cup of tea in an hour, if you
care to-" and, putting everything in
perfect order in her machine, she let
down the cover, set it back against
the wall and left the room,
"The ruling passion strong in
DEATH" laughed Sue, astonishing the
sedatc old organ with dashing
waltz, while Belle, tossing aside her
book, began pirouette about the
room.
"What fun" cried Sue.
"Jollyw said madcap Belle.
"Do you suppose he'll Gomez"
eff he doesn't" replied Belle, "it
will spoil all. If he does, where
shall we hide to witness, or at least
listen to the sport?"
"Behind the curtains of the bay
windows, among auntie's geraniums
and things"
"Splendid!"
"We'll pretend to have letters to
write upstairs, and then slip in be-
fore the lamps are lighted"
"What a clever plotter you are,
Belle" said Sue, admirlngly; "but it
is kind of mean of us, don't it strike
you so!"
"Don't allow such things to strike
me-" answered Belle.
"Shall we rush out and cry April
fool just at the last?" queried Sue.
"Not if we know it, was the grave
answer, with a shake of the head.
"Don't you suppose in such an
event Aunt Becky would think our
visit quite long enough?"
"Might that's So"
"And there's ever so many places
we haven't been,'' continued selfish
Belle; "Cheyenne Canyon, Pixies
Peak, and auntie's half promised us
months camping out at Manitou
Springs"
Whether the young ladies realized
these bright anticipatlons remains to
be seen.
John Colton's ranch lay a mile
from the village, and it was nearly
dark before he reached the Post
office, this auspicious evening, April
lst.
He had been branding stock thai
day, and was tired and slightly on,
of humor; besides, as there was nc
woman about his premises, he had
supper to prepare, and in doing sc
had scalded his hand with steam
which is not the surest method O.
improving a mans temper. Ht
would probably not have visited thu
Postoffice at all that evening, but he
was looking for a certain dry far
mer's monthly containing in every
issue learned disquisitions on grass
hoppers and potatoe bugs and Other
scientific subjects.
He was doomed to disappointment
however, but in its stead, received :
dainty little missive subscribed in :
delicate running hand.
He tore it hastily open, and by thu
light of the grocery lamp, read al
follows:
CIRCLEvILLE, Cal, April 1st.
MIR. JOHN CoLToN-DEAR SIR:-l hav
considered your offer, and will give you
definite answer this evening. Call with
out fail. Yours affectionately,
REBECCA PINKNAM.
"Offer,' ANSWER what does sh'
mean, l wonder," muttered John
Cotton to himself, scratching his ear
a fashion he had when perplexed.
"Sure enough" he thought, a
length. "Strange l had forgotten
Why, it is in reference to that rec
helfer l offered her last week for
mule colt of hers-match for one o
mine. Hope she'll take me up for
want the colt"
Of course Miss Pinkham was eX
pectlng him, and he thought, as sh'
opened the door for him with he
own fair hands, that he had neve
seen her look so lovely before, though
in his secret heart, he had ever very
much admired his fair neighbor.
"Why, good evening, Mr.. Cotton,
with a glance only at his jean pant
and shabby coat. "Come in"
"Hardly worth while-Miss-ahev
-Pinkham, l just called to sec
eyes, yes; but come in" Ant
thus urged, Mr.. Cotton entered tn
pleasant parlor, twirling his ha
awkwardly in his hand, until Mis-
Pinkham kindly relieved him of il
placing it on the table.