Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1879-09-23
Mr.. PALMLEAFS PROPOSAL.

against the udLE4lng winter shy N--diN
the Reverend Peter Palmleaf, studying
over an embryo sermon in his own cSpec-
ial sanctum, glanced up where black
bird was whistling in the easement, and
thought to himself what lovely world
the Lord had made.
When all of q sudden, shrill voice
called through the entry:
Peter, the horse Is ready.
What horse" asked the Rev. Mr..
Palmleaf
.Our horse; to be sure" said Miss
Adcline, his sister
..What for" demanded the parson,
staring through his near-sighted specta-
cles at the door.
TO take YOU to Mr.. Darrow
"Why am | going there further
questioned the Young theologian.
well. never" said Adeline, bounc-
ING into the study, with a yellow hand
kcrchicf tied around her head and her
sleeves rolled up in busiuess-hke fashion,
TO her elbows. Peter, YOU grow more
moony and absent minded every day of
your life, We are going after girl, to
be sure
"A-sirl, Oh. do recall something
of the conversation. A hired girl
'.Yes, she's going to leave them this
morning. because the family is so large
and work 50 heavy. Find out how much
wages she wants. how old she Is, and If
she has any followers-a follower Is one
thing | can; tolcrate-and be surc YOU
bring her with her bundles, as | must
have her or some other person TO help me
before cousins folks come from the city.
But suppose she won't come: said
the Young minister dubiously.
Then YOU must make her come.
And thus charged with his mission, he
90; into the one-hor>c cutter, and jiugled
mcrr.ly away.
Mr. Darrow's farmhouse nestled under
a hil,, in the protecting shadow of a c.uS-
ter OF cyergrccus, with green fence IN
fou, of IT,. a red barn at the rear, and a
COLONY Of doyehou>c> az the sunny south
em angle; and the OWNER himself, a
ruddy-taced, elderly man with a fringe
Of white whi>kcrs around his chm, was
,hoyclus away the pcarly masses OF
snow IN front of hi> door.
"Eh," said Mr.. Darrow, leaning on
the handle Of his spade, Us the bells
iiusled up in front of his gate, and then
>,opped. "How: Why. is the minis
ter, Good morning Tha; there Sunday
sermon % yours Was a masterpiece.
squire ScnncN and me
.'Ycs." said the minister leisurely
alishtiug. and tying his horse 10 the post.
''But 1 have called on business this
morning.
For the Young minister was emphati-
cally q man of one idea, for the time be
inc. ,he hired sirl'' had chased all the
olosy on; OF hi, head
..Fh," sand Mr.. Dauow; business
I've come after q young woman
said the minister.
The farmer dropped the spade IN the
middle of a snow drift.
Are YOU speaking Of Dolly he
said.
If that's her name-yes,' asscnted
the minister >olemnly.
You don't mean that-it Is TO be an
engagement" "
"Wcl. ycs-,hat Is, if We suit each
other. said Mr.. Palmleat, mildly.
Jerusalem" said Mr.. Darrow, who
had always heard that Mr. Palmleaf,
Ike most men Of genius. was an "eccen-
,ric. but had never realized it before.
..Have YOU spoken 10 her:
Certainly no, 80 answered Mr.. Palm
leaf "Of course l shouldn't think Of
such a thing without seeing You hrst.
VERY straightforward Of YOU I'm
sure. said the farmer. But Of course
can have no objection, if Dolly herself Is
suited. Though" and he smote one red
mittened hand upon his knee, now
come to think Of it, you've never seen
Dolly.
No" said the minister, serenely
..But that need make no difference.
Jerusalem again uttered the farm
er. 1t wasn't the way used to look
at things when | was young man.
TASTES differ, said Mr. Palmleaf, q
little impatient at this heightened discus
sion.
"Oh. Of course YOU can see her saiC
Mr.. Darrow. shes in the dairy, skim
ming milk. Dolly" raising his voice Il
wild below. Here's the Reverend
Mr.. Palmleafwants to see YOU There:
the door, jus; TO the left. sir
And in his ncar-sishted way, the min
lister stumbled into Farmer Darrow''
dairy. where a rosy-cheeked girl, witt
iet black hair. brushed away from low
oliye-dark brow, and ewes ike pools o
sherry wine, was skimming the cream
from multitudinous milkpans into huge
stone pot.
Young woman said Mr. Palmleaf
turning his spectacles upon her amazed
face. "do YOU want to engage yourself:
"Sir, said Dolly, her spoon coming
TO an abrupt standstil amid the wrinkl.
and leather-hke folds Of the cream on
particular pan.
IN other words explained Mr.. Palm
leaf. do YOU want good home;
Indeed, sir, | never thought of Sucl
q thing" said Dolly, all in furry.
How old are you:' questioned Mr.
/ Palmleaf.