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

-49{5o Jennl9On neQ nef novel upside
down, but she was very intensely engaged
! ig reading, apparently, and Sue wal
dumping away at the organ, regardless
6f t1me or tune.
- 0iyls,'' said Miss Pinkham, rising
4 ehgupllV as she folded her letter. and re
turned i to its envelope, ~ shall not b
down TO tlinner.n
Are you sick, auntyf" cried thu
eqlciOus nieces, in breath.
Did you get bad newsin your letter!'
No, not sick, and, with . little smile
no bad news"
| But you mast be sick, y cried sympa
thizing Sue. Why, you are as pale q
: ghost"
Looks more as if she had fever, }
said Belle, for a sudden flush had suf
fused brow and cheeks.
1 tell you I'm not sick" returned
Miss Pinkham. ] want to be alone
that is all. One of you can bring me uf
q cup Of tea in an hour, If you care to;'
and, putting everything in perfect ordeI
in her machine, she let down the cover
set It back against the wall and left the
The ruling passion strong in death, =
laughed Sue, astonishing the sedate old
organ with q dashing waltz, while Belle
tossing aside her book, began a pirouette
about the room.
4 What funr' cried Sue.
J0llyl" said madcap Belle.
Do you suppose he'll comero
III he DOESN'T" replied Belle, "'twill
spoil all. If he does, where shall We
hide to witness, or at least listen to, the
sporty'
- polv:nd ~ .,,...: - AZ l.
dows, among aunty's geraniums and
things.'
"Splendidr'
i swell pretend we have letters to write
upstairs, and then slip in before the
lamps are lighted
1 !" What clever plotter you are, Belle, y
said Sue, admiringly; but it's kind ol
mean OF us, don't 1t strike you so?"
Don't allow such things to strike
me-" answered Belle.
"Shall we r1sh out and cry April fool
just at the last!" 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"
| AuQ tuCAC ctcI 50 many pldCcS we
haven't been," continued selfish Belle
Cheyenne Canyon, Pixies Peak, and
aunty's half promised us months camp
ing out at Manitou Spring."
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 a
all that evening, but he was looking for .
certain dry farmers monthly containing
in every issue learned disquisitions or
grassheppers and potato-bugs and othel
scientific subjects.
He was doomed to disappointment
however, but in its stead, received dainty
little missive superscribed in delicate
running hand.
He tore it hastily open, and by thu
light of the grocery lamp. read as follows
~. CRcLEvIILz, Col, April LIST.
Mr.. JOHN CoLToN-DEAR SIR l have con
sidered your offer, and will give you de6nit
answer this evening. Call without fail.
| REBEocA PsKHAM.
"'Offer,' answer what does she
mean, wonder" muttered John ColtoI
to himself, scratching his ear, fashion
he had when perplexed.
"Sure enough, he thought, at length
T" Strange had forgotten. Why, it is il
reference to that red heifer offered hel
last week for a mule colt of hers-matcl
/ for one of mine. Hope she'll take me up
as want the colt"
Of fcourse Miss Pinkham was expecting
him, and he thought, a. she opened tht
door for him with her own fair hands
that he had never seen her look so lovely
before, though, in his secret heart, he hat
ever very much admired lis fair neighbor
Why, gooo- evening, Mr.. Cotton,
with glance only at his jean pants ant
shabby coat. Come in"
" Hardly worth while. -Miss-ahow-
Pinkham, just called to See"
eyes, yes; but come in" And thu!
| urged. Mr.. Cotton entered the pleasan
parlor, twirling his hat awkwardly in hi
hand, until Miss Pinkham kindly relieved
him Of it, placing it upon the table.
Then followed a few commonplace re
marks about the weather, prospects fol
farmers, etc.
II called at length stammeret
/ John Cotton, his face like scarlet. for hs
was decidedly bashful and stupid in tn,
presence of ladies.
" For my answer" said Miss Pinkham
/ who, if the truth must be told, had Ions
entertained liking for her neighbor
that, In the light of the afternoons reve
| lations, had fast ripened into love, and
perceiving his embarrassment, she felt in
clned to help him through all in he
power.
" Yes-no-that is to see"
It quite took me by surprise sale
Miss Pinkham.
I" Yes, / suppose so," answered John
4 while the girls in the bay window, will
their handkerchiefs stuffed in theil
mouths, were enjoying it all exceedingly
g l never had thought of such thing,
continued Miss Pinkham; never haf
meditated change"
II think it would be good one for u
hath," said John, thinking of the muls
colt that he was so desirous Of possessing
80 And you're sure you'll not repent it r
asked Rebecca, wondering why her love-
! seemed so cool and sat SO lar away from
her, not even offering to take her hand.
"Well, nc, )" answered John; think III
1 have good match if we make the bargain
\ Are YOU going 10 take me up"
Take you upr' CALCULATED Miss Pink
ham, in surprise.
e Yes, my offer? Fair, wasn't 1t ~