The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1880-05-28

cons wife, putting out her had to keep
me from rising; "and when saw your
blue shawl turning in at the gate said
to myself that's as marked = token as
Rebekah at the well, with the pitcher
on her shoulder. I haven't the gold
earrings and bracelets to offer you, but
have all the rest" she added, lau9king
nervously.
Just now the deacon came in. Now
there is in the opinion of his wife but
one reason why Deacon Shackelford
didn't make the world. He found it
already made. And when he came in
she looked up to him as though Atlas
had come, and she could safely drop
the world on his shoulders and 60 off
picking golden apples.
Il was just speaking q good word
for Mr.. Brodhead to Bella, Deacon, -
said she.
"Ah! and what does Bella say?'' re-
turned the deacon, looking as though it
were question of investing in real
estate, or the price of gold.
81 Bella doesn't say anything" re-
piled. Certainly not before she is
asked"
"You need not wait long. if that is
ALL" answered Deacon ShackeHord.
"TH ask you now. Have you any OBJ
lection to an offer of marriage from Mr..
Brodhead? There!'
"He is very bashful man, Mr.. Brod-
head is. Bella, and so he got us to help
him little. Why he is in love with
you," interposed Mrs. Deacon Shackel-
ford; ''he is in love with you down to
his boots"
"Let it run out of his toes, them"
said l, beginning to feel like new yeast.
"But you CAM have anything az ainst
the man." persisted Mrs. Deacon.
"And think! after awhile you won't
have your grandfather and your Aunt
Susannah to talk to, and you will miss
it if you don't have somebody in their
place. 1t is. best to think of these
things. And you won't find kinder
man, if you search the world over with
a wax candle, than Mr.. Brodhead."
"Mr. Brodhead is well enough, Mrs.
Shackelford. Idon't deny that. But
the idea of making proposal of this
sort through middle men, 1t is too
absurdr' I said, laughing, and put on
my hat.
So went home to my classes in en-
broidery and drawing, and wax work
to making Aunt S-sannah's caps and
grandfather's coffee. My life was full
of monotonous work in those days; and
sometimes had strange, uncomfort-
able impression of machine wound
up and running without any act of its
own.
One evening when I was putting
away the silver after supper, and feel
ing the crcak and crank of the wheels
more than usual, as though the machine
needed oiling, the front gate slammed,
and steps came along up the walk.
81 knowed some one was coming.
I've knowed all day some one was talk
ing of coming" said City Pullen, who
"to accommodate" as she often told
US, had kindly consented to rule over
our kitchen and US with rod of pine
Tin tie form of a crutch.)
As City had no home, no money,
and only one foot of her own, but as
good as four ears and two tongues. it
might seem sometimes that the accom-
mediation was two-sided. However,
things are not what they seem.
81 knowed it was Mr.. Corliss!'' pur-
sued City, triumphantly, as grandfather
opened the door and disclosed the fig
ures of our minister and his wife. II
can tell his step as far off as I can hear
it Did you ever notice his eyes?'' she
continued. "They look like two holes
burned in a blanket. And he holds his
head just like Deacon Shackeford's old
white horse"
And then she disappeared into the
kitchen with her crutch and the cat,
while Aunt Susannah put in her teeth,
put on her black silk apron, and went
with her meeting step into the parlor.
When l followed her soon after, I found
her talking in as steady flow as the
waters came down at Lodore, to Mrs.
Corliss, who sat by the woodbine VIM
dow, with hands folded in black netted
mitts across her lap, and her tea-colored
curls shaking their heads, as it were, at
the world and its vanities; while grand
father, who had been senior deacon for
fifty years. and who had no idea even
the church editice could stand without
him, was already in deep discussion
with Mr.. Corliss upon the question
then absorbing and disturbing us, as to
our Sabbath School should
hereafter be called a Sunday School.
81 can never consent to have relig-
ious organization known by heather
name," grandfather was saying, as
heard him say half q hundred times be-
fore.
And Mr.. Corliss, with his serene
white head bent toward him. was think
ing how he could braid in one the fossil
lied fathers and the versatile sons of
the church.
So there was nothing for me to do |