West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1879-05-17
Mr. Palmleafs Proposal.

White and glistcnng like mammoth
bridal veil, the December sun Law over all
the New Hampshire hills; dark and deli
cate, like the tHccry of lacework, the leaf
less woods held up their boughs against the
dazzing winter sky-and the Reverend
Peter Palmleaf studying over an embryo
sermon I'm his own especial sanctum glanced
mp where blackhird was wlhstling in the
easement, and thought 10 himself what a
lovely world the Lord had made.
When, all of IA sudden, "A shrill voice
allied through the entry:
Peter, the horse is ready. "
What horse Z" asked the Rev. Mr..
Palmeaf
"Our horse, to bc sure" said Miss Pau
lima, his sister
Mat fori' demanded the parson, star
ing through his near sighted spec,acles at
the door
"To take YOU To Mr. Darrow'
"Why, am | going To MIR. Darrow's!' ~
further questioned the man of theology.
"Well, ncver!' said Miss Paulina,
bouncing into the study, with yellow
pocket handkerchief tied around her head
and her sleeves rolled i'm IA business like
fashion up To her elbows "Pctcr. YOU
grow more moody and absent minded every
day OF your life. Have YOU forgotten our
discussion at the breakfast table, Why,
You are going to MIR. Danow's after girl,
10 be sure.N
"A-girl ~ repeated the young minister;
dreamily, rubbing his forehead ''Oh, |
do recall something OF the conversation A
hired girl
eyes, nodded the lady briskiy. "Shc's
going 10 leave Mr.. Darrow's this morning.
because the family is 80 large and work so
heavy She can't find that fault with our
establishment, guess Ask her how much
wages she wants. and how old she is, and
ask her whether she has any followers s-a
follower is the one thing ! can't tolerate,
tell her be sure YOU bring her back
with her bundles; as / must have her or
some person TO help me before cousin Phi
linda's folks come from the city,
But suppose she won't comet said the
young minister, dubiously, fitting on the
fingers of his gloves
"Ihen you must make her come, " said
Miss Paulina, mnrriedly retrcating, 10 look
after "a certain kettle, which was noisily
boiling over, at the back of the house.
And thus, charged with his mission, the
Reverend Peter Palmleaf got into the one
horse cutter and jinged merrily away.
Mr. Darrow's farmhouse nestled under a
hill, i'm the protecting shadow of "A cluster
Of evergrcens, with a green fence in front
OF il, "a red barn at the rear. and "a colony
OF dOyehOuscs at the sunny southern angle
and Mr.. DanOw himself, ruddy- el-
derly man with fridge of white whiskcrs
around his chin, was shovclng away the
pearly masses of snow i'm front Of his door.
En- said Mr. Darrow leaning ON the
bu2dle of his spade, as the bells ingled up
IN front Of his gate, and then stopped.
"Howl Why, it's the minister Good
morning, Mr.. Palmleaf good morning
That there Sunday sermon o. yours was a
masterpiece. Me and Squire Scnnex-"
"Hes, said Mr. Palmleaf, lcsurely
alighting, and tying the horse to the post.
81 have called on business this morning
For Mr. Palmleaf was cmphatically a
man Of one idea, for the time being, the
'hired girl - had chased all theology out OF
his head
"Eh" said Mr. Darrow; "busincssl"
1--WE have come after young woman, -
said the minister
Mr. Darrow dropped the spade in the
middle Of the snow-drift
"Do you mean Dollyf' lac said
If that's her name-yes, asserted the
minister, solemu.y.
Z" You don't mean that-it is 10 be an
engagement cried Mr. Darrow
''Well, yes that is, If we git cac
other said Mr.. Palmlcaf, mildly.
'Jersalem!' said Mr. borrow, who had
always heard that Mr. Palmlcaf, like most
men of gcnins, was an eccentric" bui
had never realized it before "lIave you
spoken 10 herfn
Certainly not" answered Mr.. Palm.
Leaf. "Of course ! shouldn't think of sucl
thing without seeing YOU first
"Yery straightforward Of YOU, I'm sure. Cd
said the farmer. "But, of course, ] car
have no objection if Dolly herself is suited
Though" and ne smotc one red mittcd
hand upon his knee, "uow J come to think
OF IT., you've never seen Dolly"
Nol" said the minister scrcucly
" But that need make mo- difference"
Jerusalem again uttered the farmer
II wasn't tho way used to look nt thing.
when ] was q young man
"Iastcs differ, said Mr. PalmlcaG ,
little impatient at this heightened discus
sion.
"Oh of course You can see her. sal,
Mr. Darrow "Shc's in the dairy. skim
ming milk Dolly DON" raising hi
voirc to % wild below "Hcrc's the Rev
crcnd Mr Palmlcaf, wants To- see you
There's the door, just to the left, sr
And in his near sighted way. the minis
ter stumbled into FARMER Dauow's dairy
where q rOsy-chcckcd Girl. with id d.blacl
hair, brushed away from = low, oliyc-darl
brow, and eyes like pools of sherry wine
was skinming the cream from multitudm
ous milkpans into a huge stone pot
tt y ruuu woman ~ e1fI M n.Tf..I..f O.
turning his spccaclcs upon her amaze,
face, edo YOU want tO engage yOursoff"
"Sirf' said Dolly, her spoon coming &,
an abrupt standstill amid the wrinkly an,
leathcr-ike folds of the cream ON particu
lar pan
ln other words, explained Mr. Palm
leaf, edo you want a good home