Daily Republican., 1879-04-04
MIR. PALMLEAE'S PROPO-
SAL.

over AL tne NcW ldIupsuiTo Hillo &,
dark and delicate, like the tracery of
lace work, the leatless woods held up
their boughs against the dazzling win
ter sky--and the Reverend Peter Palm.
leaf studying over an embryo sermon
in his own especial sanctum, glanced
up where blackbird was whistling in
the easement, and thought to himself
what a lovely world the Lord had
made.
When, all Of a sudden, shrill voice
called through the entry:
"Prter, the horse is ready
what horse ?" asked the Rev. Mr..
Palmleaf.
sour horse, to be sure ~ said Miss
Paulira, bis sister.
"What for % demanded the parson,
staring through his near-sishted spec
taclrs at the door.
"To take you to Mr.. Darrows.'
"Why am going to Mr.. Darrow's ~
further questioned the man of theology.
well never!" said Miss Panlina
hounciny into the study; with yellow
pocket handkerchief tied around her
mead, and her sleeves rolled in Il busi,
ness-lke fashion up to her elbows.
Peter you grow more mooney and alb,
..nt-minded every day of your life
Have you forgotten our discussion at the
bseak fast table! Why, you are going to
Mr.. Darrow's after girl, to be sure"'
A--girl repeated the young minister,
dreamily, rubbing his forehead. "Oh,
do recall something ofthe conversation
A hired girl"
"Yes," nodded the lady briskly.
"She's going to leave Mr. Darrow's this
morning, because the family is SO large
and work 80, heavy. She can't find that
fault with bur establishment, | guess.
Ask her how much wages she wants,
and how old she is, and ask her wheth-
er she has any fol.owers-a follower is
the one thing can't tolerate, tell her
and he sure you bring her back with
her bundles. As must have her or
some person to help mo before cousin
Philinda's folks come from the city.
"But suppose she won't Gomez" said
the young minister, obviously, fitting
on the fingers of his gloves.
"rhen you must make her colne,'
said Miss Paulina, hurried!y Ietreating,
TO look after a certain kettle, which was
uoisily boiling over, at the back of the
house.
And thus, charged with his mission,
the Reverend Peter Palnleaf got into
the one horse cutter and jingled merri-
y away.
Mr.. Darrow's farm house nestled un.
der hill, in the protecting shadow OF
cluster of eversreers, with green
fence in iron. of it, red barn at the
rear, and colony of dove houses at
the sunny southern angle; and Mr..
barrow hims-lf. ruddy faced, elderly
man with fringe Of whito whiskers
around his chin, was shoyeing away
the Yearly masses Of snow in front Of
his door. 81. -. -.
GE4 7 said Mr. Darrow, leaning on
the handle Of his spade, rs the bells
jlngled up in front Of His gate, and
then stopped. "How? Why, it's the
minister! Good morning, Mr.. ra!mral
good morning! That there Sunday
sermon o yours was masterpiece. Me
and Squire Sennex--"
"Yes," said Mr.. Palmleaf, leisurely
alighting, and tying the horse to tho
post. "But have called on business
this morning."
For Mr.. palmleaf was emphatically
a man of one idea, for the tins being,
the "hired girl" had chased all theclo-
gy out OF his head.
"Ehn' said Mr.. barrow "busi-
ne.s!" .
"L've come after young woman,
said the minister.
Mr.. Darrow dropped his spade in the
middle of a snow drift.
"Do you mean Dolly?" he said.
"If that's her name-yes," asserted
the minister, solemnly.
"iou don't mean that's to be an
engage,nent!' cried Mr.. Darrow.
"Wrll, ye'--:hat is, if We suit each
other" salt Mr.. Palmleaf, mildly.
'Js .russlem!' said Mr.. Darrow, who
had always heard that Mr.. Palmleaf
like most men of genius, was an SEC
centric" but had never realized it be
fore. Have you spoken to herr"
"Certairly not ~ answered Mr.. Palm
! leaf. "Of course | shuoldn't think o
such thing without seeing you first. ,
Every straightforward of you, "ln
sure" said the farmer. "But, o
: course, | can have no objection, if Dol
...!l.l !,