The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1879-08-07
MR.. PALMLEAF'S PROPOSALS.

White and glistening like mammoth
| bridal veil, the December sun lay ovel
all the New Hampshire hills; dark anj
| delicate, like the tracery of lacework
the leafless woods held up their boughs
against the dazzling winter sliy-and the
Rev. Peter Palmleaf, studying over al
embryo sermon in his own especial sane
tum, glanced up where a ,blackbird was
whistling in the easement, and thought
to himself what lovely world the LORD
had made.
When, all Of sudden a shril voice
called through the entry:
''Peter, the horse Is ready"
what horse p asked Mr.. Palmleaf.
Our horse; to be sure = said Miss
Paulina, his sister.
what for2' demanded the parson.
| staring through his near sighted specta
cles ut the door.
TO take you to Mr. Darrow's'.
why am [ going to Mr. Darrow's :?
further questioned the man Of theology.
Well I never = said Miss Paulina,
bouncing into the study, with yellow
pocket handkerchief tied around hel
head and her sleeves rolled in a business
like fashion, up to her elbows, Peter,
You grow more moony and absent-mind
ed every day of your life Have You
forgotten our discussion at tho breakfast
table? Why, you are going to Mr.. Oar
rows after girl to be sure =
'A-girl ? repeated the young minister
dreamily, rubbing his forehead. oh,
do recall something Of the conversation.
\ hired girl.
Yes, nodded the lady briskly. She's
going to leave Mr.. Darrow's this morn
ing, because the family is SO 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 if she has
any followers-and be sure You bring
her back with follower is one thing I
can't tolerate, tell her bundles; as I must
have her or some person to help me be
fore cousin Philinda's folks come from
the city
Bat suppose she won't come said the
young minister, obviously, fitting on the
fingers of his gloves.
Then you must make her come said
PauIina, hurriedly retreating, to look
after certain kettle, which was noisily
boiling over, at the back OF the house.
And thus, charged with his mission,
the Reverend Peter PalmIeaf got into
the one horse cutter, and jingled merrily
away.
Mr. Darrow's farmhouse nestled under
a hill, in the protecting shadow Of a clus-
ter of eyergreens, with green fence in
front of it, a red barn at the rear, and
colony of doves at the sunny
| southern angle, and Mr. Darrow himself,
ruddy faced elderly man with fringe
Of white wliskers around his chin, was
shoyeling away the pearly masses o.
snow in front of his door.
'Eh = said Mr. Darrow, leaning on th3
handle Of his spade, rs the bells jinglec
mp in front of his gate, and then stopped
How? why, it IS the minister Good
morning That there Sunday sermon Of
yours was a masterpiece. Me and Squire
Sennex-'
Yes said Air. Palmleaf, leisurely
alighting, and tying the horse to the
post. But 1 have called on bushes:
this morning
For Mr.. Palmleaf was emphatieally {
man Of one idea, for the time being the
hired girl had chased all theology ou
of his head
'Eh = said Mr. Darrow; business ?
I've come after a young woman,' saii
the minister.
Mr.. Darrow dropped the spade in the
middle of drift.
DO yOu mean Dolly? 2 he said.
IF that's her her-yes,' asserted tht
minister, solemnIy.
You don't mean that-it is too be ai
engagement? cried Mr.. Darrow.
We'll, yes-that is, if we suit eacl
other, SAID Mr.. Palmleaf, mildly.
Jerusalem = said Mr.. Darrow, VIII,
had always heard that Mr.. Palmleaf, ik,
most men Of genius, was an eccentric.
but had never realized it before. 'Hav
you spoken to her?'
Certainly not answered Mr.. Palm
leaf. OF eourse I shouldn't think O
such Thing without seeing you first.
Very straightforward of you. II
sure, said the farmer. But, Of cours