The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1877-04-05

JOHN COLT0N.
Belle Jennison had her novel upside
down, but she was very intensely engaged
in reading. apparently, and Sue was
thumping away at the organ, regardless
Of time or tune.
Girls" said Miss Pinkham, rising
abruptly, as she folded her letter. and re-
turned il to its envelope, II shall not be
down to dinner
Are you sick, auntyf" cried the
| oflcious nieces, in breath
Did you get bad news in your letter."
No, not sick, (" and, with little smile,
no bad news"
But you mast be SICK" cried sympa-
thizing Sue. why, you are as pale as
. ghost"
Looks more as if she had fever y
said Belle, for a sudden flush had suf-
fused brow and cheeks.
tell you I'm not sick,' returned
Miss Pinkham. AZ want to be alone,
that is all. One of you can bring me up
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. 'ss---
r"The ruling passion strong in death, y
laughed Sue, astonishing the sedate old
organ with dashing waltz, while Belle,
tossing aside her book, began pirouette
about the room.
What funP, cried Sue.
"Jolly!' said madcap Belle.
Do you suppose he'll Gomez"
Ii he DOESN'T" replied Belle, twill
spoil all. If he does, where shall we
hide to witness, or at least listen to, the
sport?"
behind the curtains of the baywin-
things"
Splendid!'
"We'll pretend we have letters to write
upstairs, and then slip in before the
lamps are lighted
What clever plotter you are, Belle"
said Sue, admiringly; "but it's kind of
mean of US, don't it strike you so?"
Don't allow such things to strike
me" answered Belle.
"Shall we r1sh out and cry April fool
just at the lasty" queried Sue.
No. if we know it," was the grave
answer, with 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
aunty's half promised us a months camp
ing out at Manitou Springs"
Whether the young ladies realized these
bright anticipations remains to be seen.
John Colton's ranch lay mile from the
village, and it was nearly dark before he
reached the Postoffice, this auspicious
evening, April 1st.
He had been branding stock that day,
and was tired and slightly out OF humor !;
beside, as there was no woman about his
premises, he had supper to prepare, and
in doing so had scalded his hand with
steam, which is not the surest method of
improving mans temper. He would
probably not have visited the Postoffice at
all that evening, but he was looking for q
certain dry farmers monthly containing
in every issue learned disquisitions on
grassheppers and potato-bugs and other
scientific subjects.
He was doomed to disappointment.
however, but in its stead, received dainty
little missive superscribed in delicate
running hand.
light of the grocery lamp. read as follows:
C1Rc1Ev11LE, Col, April 1st
MIR. JOHN CoLToN-DEAR SIR: l have cons
sidered your offer, and will give you definite
answer this evening. Call without fail.
Yours sincerely,
REBEccA PINKHAM.
"Offer,' answer what does she
mean, wonder" muttered John Cotton
to himself, scratching his ear, fashion
he had when perplexed.
"Sure enough" he thought, at length.
" Strange ] had forgotten. Why, it is in
reference to that red heifer offered her
last week for mule colt of hers-match
for one of mine. Hope she'll take me up,
as l want the colt"
OF course Miss Pinkham was expecting
him, and he thought, as she opened the
door for him with her own fair hands,
that he had never seen her look so lovely
before, though, in his secret heart, he had
ever very much admired lis fair neighbor.
Why, gooo- evening, Mr.. Cotton, /"
with glance only at his jean pants and
shabby coat. ''Come in"
" Hardly worth while. -Miss-ahew-
Pinkham, | just called to see--''
'Yes, yes; but come in." And thus
urged. Mr.. Cotton entered the pleasant
parlor, twirling his hat awkwardly in his
hand, until Miss Pinkham kindly relieved
him of it, placing it upon the table.
Then followed few commonplace re-
marks about the weather. prospects for
farmers, etc.
Il called" at length stammered
John Cotton, his face like scarlet, for he
was decidedly bashful and stupid in the
presence of ladies.
/" For my answer" said Miss Pinkham,
who, if the truth must be told, had long
entertained liking for her neighbor,
that, in the light of the afternoons s reve-
lations, had fast ripened into love, and,
perceiving his embarrassment, she felt in
clined to help him through all in her
power.
Yes-no-that is to see
tquite took me by SURPRISE" said
Miss Plnkham.
!" Yes, suppose So" answered John,
while the girls in the bay window, with
their handkerchiefs stuffed in their
mouths, were enjoying it all exceedingly.
81 never had thought of such thing, y
continued Miss Pinkham; never had
meditated change"
Il think it would be good one for us
b0th," said John, thinking of the mule
colt that he was so deslrOus OF possessing.
land you're sure you'll not repent itT'
asked kebecca, wondering why her lover
seemed so cool and sat so lar away from
her. not even offering to take her hand.
"Well, no, !" answered John; J" think I'll
have a good match if we make the bargain.
Are you going 10 take me up?'
tsrake you up?" ejaculated Miss Pink
ham, in surprise.
Eyes, my offer! Fair, wasn't it?'
.sSurely, it was fair" answered Rebec-
ca, "but so sudden"
g Sudden?'
aYes. would have liked little more
time"
II never set any time," said John.
g You can think it over"
4 In your letter" remarked the lady,
drawing the yellow-enveloped document
+" Letter'' CALCULATES John, in astonish-
ment. II never"
g Did you not send me . letter this af-
ternoon ~ inquired Miss Pinkham.
Not that ! am aware of, " answered
John.
!. Read this, and tell me did you or did
you not write me this letter." ejaculated
Miss Rebecca, passing the missive to
him.
He read 1t through with scarlet face.
When he had concluded, he answered:
"Some one has been April -fooling US,
Miss Pinkham, for never ssw that letter
before, and / received line purporting
70 be from you, that no doubt emanated
from the same source. =