The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1879-05-22

of it when she made visits of consola-
ton. She had built chip fire under
the tea-kettle, and then whisked off to
pick an apronful of the pungent leaves
while the water was boiling. There
she was, stopping beneath the caves Of
a log cabin sun-bonnet, and humming a
lively fugue tune, when Mr.. Wiggin
drove up.
''Come, my beloved, haste away"
piped Miss Dolly, cheerily, swapping
briskly at the stalks.
''Cut short the hours of thy delay;
Fly like youthful"
"'Fly like youthful" struck in a
wheezy bass.
The sun-bonnet tipped back like a
cart-body.
"Sakes alive!" cried Miss Dolly, not
in the words of the hymn, as Mr.. Wig
gin strobe toward her on his slightly
rheumatic legs.
IT didn't mean to put you out"
laughed he, shaking hands heartily j;
"but it seemed kind O. material to take
part with you in Invitation"
"You always had way of falling in
at the most unheard-of-time, I remem-
her," retorted Miss Dolly, saucily, re-
covering herself and going on gather
ing catnip. She was SO years old
now, and hoped she had her wits about
her.
"You used to say kept good time,
only too much of it" pursued Mr.. Wig
gin, with a sudden inspiration; but I
tell you what, Dolly, times never
dragged with me more than as it does
these days!"
" It is dull season" said Miss Dolly,
with exasperating simplicity. sup
pose the grssshoppers have eaten most
of your wheat haven't they-so it'll
hardly pay for reaping?"
just So" assented Mr.. Wiggin,
discounted. He had not travelled five
miles in the heat to discuss the state of
the crops.
Walk in and sit down, won't you"
said Miss Dolly, with reluctant hospi-
tality. Her apron was crammed at last
to it's utmost capacity. She devoutly
WISHED III nau Ooen larger.
" Well, yes, I don't care if I do" an
swered Mr.. Wiggin, after hypocritical
show of hesitation. IT had little
business further on, at the blacksmith's.
No hurry, though, as I know Of" and
he turned to let down the bars for Miss
Dolly, who meanwhile slipped nimbly
through the fence, catnip and all.
Z" Bless my heart! I don't see but
what you're as spry as ever you was"
said he, admiringly, as he pulled along
in her wake. "Still you must be get
ting into years, Dolly, as well as mo
offense, [ hope-and I was wondering
whether Or no it wasn't lonesome for
you living alone here, woman, 500"
20, L never was one of the lonesome
kind" responded Miss Dolly, briskly,
seating Der guest in the patchwork
cushioned rocking chair; and, for that
matter, hardly a day passes without some
of James folks running i'm
eyes. I know; but, if you was to
change your situation, wouldn't you en-
joy life better, think?"
Miss Dolly fdgeted at the green
paper curtains, and intimated that her
present happiness would be complete if
the grasshoppers would stop feeding on
her garden sauce.
"That's just it," continued Mr.. Wig
gin, eagerly; "you do seem to need
a man to look out for your farming in
terests, now don't you, Dolly? man
that1l be ready and willing to do for
you, and make you comfortable?
Il don't know" said Miss Dolly, dry
~. "The year before father died I did
have Silas Potter, and he is the most
faithful creature living; but, what with
the extra cooking and washing had to do
for him, my work was about double, and
when mud-time came I was glad enough
to send him off and hire by the day. I
about made up my mind that men folks
around the mouse cost more'n they come
to-"
" guess we don't understand one an
other" said Mr.. Wiggin, slightly discon-
certed by this unfattering view of his
sex. :" wasn't speaking of hired help,
Dolly. Materially you would get tired
with that; it's worrin' to woman. But
if you was to have companion, now
one that could give you a good home,
with wood and water under cover"
"Shoo! SHOOT" cried Miss Dolly, fly
ing out after an inquiring chicken on
the doorstep.
Mr.. Wiggin drew his red pocket
handkerchief from his hat to wipe his
glowing face. Certainly he hadn't felt
the heat SO all through haying.
"How's your health now-a-days?"
asked Miss Dolly, frisking back with
look of resolute Inconsistencies.
Every good; remarkably good! I
don't know where you'll find a man,
Dolly, with tougher constitution than
I've got"
"Ah!" Miss Dolly blushed like
sumac in October.
aYes, I'm WE'LL pursued Mr.. Wiggin,
perseveringly. land I'm tOlarahly we'll