The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1879-09-17
MIR. Palmleaf''S Proposal.

Mr.. Palmleaf's Proposal.
White and glistening like NAM
moth bridal veil, the December sun
lay over all the New Hampshire
hills; dark and delicate, like the ira
Gerry of lace-work, the leafless woods
held up their bows against the daz
cling winter sky-and the Rev. Peter
Palmleaf, studying over an embryo
sermon in his own especial sanctum,
glanced up where a black-bird was
whistling in the easement, and
thought to himself, what a lovely
world the Lord had made.
When, all OF sudden, a shrill
voice called through the entry
"Peter, the horse is ready"
"What horse ?" asked the Rev. Mr..
Palmleaf
"Our horse; to be sure l" said Miss
Paulina, his sister.
"What fort {" demanded the par
son, staring through his near-sighted
spectacles at the door.
"To take you to Mr.. Darrows.
"Why am l going to Mr.. Oar
rows ?" further questioned the man
Of theology.
"Well, l never !" said Miss Paulina,
bouncing into the study, with vel
low pocket-handkerchief tied around
her head and her sleeves rolled in
a business-like fashion, up to her
elbows, "Peter, you grow more
moony and absent-minded every day
of your life Have you forgotten
our discussion at the breakfast table ?
Why, you are going to Mr.. Darrow's
after a girl, to be sure !"
"A-girlr' repeated the young
minister, dreamily, rubbing his fore
\ the conversat "A hired girl. ''4'
eyes," nodded the lady, briskly.
"She's going to leave Mr.. Darrowa
this morning, because the family is
SO large and work so heavy. She
can't find that fault with our estab-
lishment, l guess. Ask her how much
wages she wants, and how old she is,
and ask her if she has any followers
tell her a follower is one thing l
can't tolerate, and be sure to bring
her back again With her bundles; as
l must have her OF some person to
help me Before cousin Philinda's
folks come from the city"
."But suppose she won't come p
said the young minister obviously,
fitting on the fingers of his gloves.
"Then you must make her come"
said Miss Paulina, hurriedly retreat
ing to look after a certain ke:tle,
which was noisily boiling over, at
the back OF the house
And thus charged with his mis-
sion, the Rev. Peter Palmleat got
into the one.horse cutter, and jingled
merrily away.
Mr.. Darrow's farmhouse nestled
under hill, in the protecting shadow
of cluster of evergreens, with
green fence in front OF it, red barn
at the rear, and colony Of dove
house at the sunny southern angle,
and Mr.. Darrow himself ruddy-
faced elderly man with a fringe Of
white whiskers around his chin, was
shoveling away the pearly masses Of
snow in front of his door.
"Eh !" said Mr.. Darrow, leaning on
the handle of his spade, as the bells
.jingled up in front of his gate, and
then stopped. How p? Why, it's
the minister Good morning That
there Sunday sermon of yours was a
masterpiece. Me and Squire Sen
mex"
eyes," said Mr.. Palmleat, leisurely
aighting and tying the horse to the
post. "But / have called on bust
ness this morning"
For Mr.. Palmleaf was emphati-
cally a man of one idea, for the time
being, the ''hired girl" had chased all
theology out Of his head.
"Eh !" said Mr.. Darrow; business"
Owe come after young woman"
said the minister.
Mr.. DaTow dropped the spade in
the middle ofthe snow drift.