The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1879-05-22

Miss Dolly's moss-grown cottage was
purely one of thankfulness that it was
in his power to provide her better
home. Not that he was grateful 10 his
dead wife for leaving a vacancy there.
Mr.. Wiggin had mourned faithfully for
Olive year and day.
Miss Dolly was out in the garden
gathering catnip. She never used it
herself, but there were nervous old
ladies in the village who looked upon
this herb as the substance pleasant
dreams are made of, and Miss Dolly
dried it every year, and often left little
bundles of it when she made visits of
consolation. She had built a 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 ofal log-cabin sun-bonnet, and hum
ming 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
wheezy bass.
The sun-bonnet tipped back like a
cart body.
"Sakes aliyep cried Miss Dolly not
in the words of the hymn, as Mr.. Wiggin
strobe toward her ON his slightly rheu-
matte legs.
az didn't mean to put you out"
laughed he, shaking hands heartily !;
"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, / remem-
ber," retorted Miss Dolly saucily,
recovering herself and going on gather
ing catnip. She was fifty years old now,
and hoped she had her wits about ner.
You used to say kept good time,
only too much of it, " pursued Mr.. Wig
gin, with sudden inspiration; /" but 1
tell you what, Dolly, times never
dragged with me more than it does these
daysp
"Itris dull season." said Miss Dolly,
with exasperating simplicity. |" ] sup
pose, the grasshoppers have eaten most
of your wheat-haven't they-so it'll
hardly pay for reaHng p
nJust So" assented Mr.. Wiggin dis
comfted. He had not Travelled five
miles in the heat to discuss the state of
the crops.
"Walk in and sit down, won't your
said Miss Dolly, with reluctant hospital
ity. Her apron was crammed at last to
its utmost capacity. She devoutly
wished it had been larger.
"Weli, yes, l don't care if 1 do,"
answered Mr. Wiggin, after a ahypocrit-
ical show of hesitation. +" had little
business further on, at the blacksmith's. s.
No hurry, though, as know Of" and he
turned to let down the bars for Miss
Dolly, who meanwhile slipped nimbly
through the fence, catnfp and all.
"Bless my hearth 1 don't see but what
you're as spry as ever you was" said he,
admiringly, as he pulled along in hel
wake. Still you must be getting into
years, Dolly, as well as I-no ofense,
hope-and was wondering whether or
no it wasn't lonesome for you living
alone here, a woman, so?"
go, never was one of the lonesome
kind" responded Miss Dolly, briskly
seating her guest in the patchwork
cushioned rocking chair; and, for thai
matter, hardly day passes without
some of James's folks running in"
eyes, [ know; but if you was to
change your situation, wouldn't you
enjoy life better, think?"
Miss Dolly fdgeted at the green-papel
curtains, and intimated that her presen
happiness would be complete if the grass
hoppers would stop feeding on her gar
den sauce.
That's just it," continued Mr.. Wig
! gin, eagerly; you do seem to need {
man to look out for your farming
interests, now don't you, Dolly9 mai
that'll be ready and willing to do TO
you, and make you comfortable%'
"I don't know" said Miss Dolly
dryly. "The year before father died
did have Silas Potter, and he is the mos
faithful creature living; but what wit
the extra cooking and washing l had
do for him, my work was about double
and when mud-time came, I was gla
enough to send him off and hire by tn
day. / about made up my mind ths
men folks around the house cost more
they come to-"
81 guess we don't understand on
another" said Mr.. Wiggin slightly di
concerted by this unfattering view &
his sex. wasn't speaking of hire
help, Dolly. Naturally you would &c
tired with that; it's worrin' to woman
But if you was to have companion
now-one that could give you a goo
home, with wood and water unde
cover"
"Shoo! shoo!" cried Miss Dolly fyin
, out after'an inquiring chicken on tn
doorstep.
Mr.. Wiggin drew his red pocket hanc
kerchief from his hat to wipe his glow
ing face. Certainly he hadn't felt th
, heat so all through haying.
"How's your health nowadays?
; asked Miss Dolly, frisking back with
look of resolute unconsciousness.
every good; remarkably goodl
don't know where you'll find a maj
!, Dolly, with tougher constitution tina
0 I've got"
e "Ahw Miss Dolly blushed like
l sumac in October.
eyes, Pm well" pursued Mr.. Wiggil
: perseveringly. and Pm tolerably wei
e to-do, with nothing to hinder my MARI
/ ing again, provided l can see woma
g to my mind"
j, "There's the deacon's wife" suggeste
= Miss Dolly, oficiously; +" she's piou
: economical"
S "She's left with means enough
t carry her through handsomely" inte
e rupte6 Mr.. Wiggln, quickly. /" Now 1
q rather have wife to provide for-oI
:, that needed home. In fact, Dolly,
3 have my eye on the little woman wal
e this minute!'
e He had both eyes on her, for tn.
S matter, and Miss Dolly was forced
o recognize the situation, whether 81
|. accepted il or not.
f "Pve managed to sugar my tea so ia
!, David, without calling upon my neig
d bors," chirruped she, stopping to Ia
a straight the BRAIDED mat, and I migl
as we'll keep on. l don't feel it tax,
It some folks would. But there's Martl
}. Dunning, she's having a hard time
get along. Why don't you take he
It David9 Shed appreciate such nj,
f house as yours"