Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1879-04-30
Mr.. PaImIeaf's Proposal.

lay over all the New Hampshire hills :
dark and delicate. like the tracery Of
lace work. the leafless woods held ~
their boughs against the dazzling win
ter sky-and Reverend Peter Palmleaf
studying over an embryo sermon in his
own especial sanctum. glancedup where
blackbird was whisting IN the case
mcnt. and thought the Lord had marie
when. all of sudden a shrill voice
called through the entry
Peter, the horse is readyn
What horse?' interrogated Mr.. Palm
leaf.
Our horse. to be sure!' said Mss
Paulina. his sister.
what for? p demanded the parson.
staring through his near-slghtcd specta'
cles at the the door.
To take you to Mr.. Darrow's.'
WHY am going to Mr.. DarrOw's !"
turt'er questioned the man of lhcolo.-
~.
We'll. never! said Miss Pauina.
bouncing into the study with yello"
pocket handkerchief tied around her
head, and her sleeves rolled in a busi'
ness like fashion up TO her elbows.
Peter. you grow more moony and ab
nt.minded every day Of your life !
Have you forgotten our discussion al
the breakfast-table? Why, you are 90
ing to Mr.. Darrow's after girl, to-be-
sure?'
'A-girl? p repeated the young minis
ter. dreamily. rubbing his forehead. oh
l do recall someting OF the conversation.
A hired glrl.'
Yes nodded the lady. briskly.
She's going to leave Mr.. Darrow'sthi~
morning because the family is so large.
and york so heavy. She can't find
Il
that fault with our establishment, |
guess. Ask her how much wages she
wants. and how old size is, and ask her
whether Sue has any fOllowers-a fol-
lower is the one thing 1 can't tolerate.
tell her, and be sure you bring her
back. and her bu die. | must have
some person to help me before cousin
Philnda's folks come from the city.
But suppose she wont Gomez said
the Young minister, obviously fitting on
the fingers of his gloves.
Then you must make her come said
Miss Psuiina. hurriedly retreating' to
look after a certain kettle which was
noisily boiling over at the back part OF
the house.
And thus. charged with his mission
Re, erend Peter Palmleaf got into the
ene.h horse cutter and jingled merrlly
away.
Mr.. Darrow's farm house nestled un-
der hill. in the protecting shadow OF a
cluster of evergreens, with green
fence in front OF it, a red barn at the
rear. and a perfect colony of dove hou-
ses at the sunny southern angle; and
Mr.. Darrow himself, a ruddy-iaced,
elderly man, wirh a fringe of white
whiskers around his chin, was shovel
ing away the pearly masses OF snow IL
front OF his door.
'Eh !! said Mr.. Darrow, leaning on
the handle ofhis spade, as the bells
iingled up in trout Of his gate, aud thel
stopped, How! Why It's the mlniste
Good.morning, Mr. Palmleaf- good
morning That there Sunday sermon
O. yours was masterpiece. Me anf
Squire Sennex-'
Yes said Mr.. Palmleaf, lelsurel,
algh,ing and tying the horse to tn
most. But have called on bushes
this morning.
For Mr.. Palmleafwas emphatically
man of one idea, and fr the time benz
.he hired girl had chased all the the
olosy out of his head.
.Ehr said Mr.. DaIrow; 'busl
ness?'
.I'ye come after a young woman
said the minister.
: Mr.. Darrow dropped his spade in tn
middle OF a snow drift.
DO you mean Dolly? he said.
If that's her name-yes, aSserle
the minister, solemnly.
: You don't mean that-its to be a
engagement cried Mr.. Darrow.
We'll, yes-that is if we suit eac
other said Mr.. Palmleaf, mildly.
Jerusalem y said Mr.. Darrow' W.T.
;, had always heard that Mr.. PaImlea
. like most men of genius, was an 'ecceI
i tric but had never realized 1t befor
, Have you spoken to her?
y Certainly not! answered Mr. Pain
% leaf 'Ofcourse, l shouldn't think
. . sucb thing without seeing you first
- =, VERY straightforward of you' L
10 sure, said the farmer. But, of cour
" can have no objection. if Dolly he
" self is suited. Though and he smo
y one red-mittened hand upon his kne
now. I come TO think of it, you've ne
a err seen Dolly"
No! said the minister, serenely' d
re- that need make no difference.
d. Jerusalem! again uttered
farmer, 1t wasn't the way used
~ look at things when was you
he man.
.. Tastes dlfer,' said Mr. Palmleaf'
i'd little impatient at this heightened d
ld cussion. Can | see the young W
man?'
~, ~, oh, of course you can see her sa
\: MFR. Darrow. She's in the dairy,ski
al ming milk. Dolly! Dolly" raisl