Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-06-16

the most unheard-of time, | remember" re-
torted Miss Dolly, saucily, recovering her.
self and going on gathering catnip.
You used to say ! kept good time, only
too much Of it," pursued Mr.. Wiggin, with
a sudden inspiration but tell you what,
Dolly, times never did drag with me more
than it does these days"
at is dull season." said Miss Dolly with
exasperating simplicity. al suppose the
grasshoppers have eaten most of your wheat
haven't they-so it'll hardly pay for reap
ing2
"Just so,' assented Mr.. Wiggin, discom.
flied. He had not travelled five miles in the
heat to discuss the state Of the crops.
"Walk in and sit down, won't you ?" said
Dolly, with reluctant hospitality Her apron
was crammed at last to its utmost capacity.
She devoutly wished it had been larger.
"Well, yes, don't care if do" answered
Mr.. Wiggin, after hypocritical show of
hesitancy. al had little business further
on at the blacksmith's. No hurry, though,
asl know Of" and he turned to let down
the bars for Miss Dolly, who meanwhile
slipped nimbly through the fence catnip and
all, "Bless my heart | don't see but
what you are as spry as ever you was" said
he admiringly, as he puffed along in her
wake "Still you must be getting into
years, Dolly, as well as mo offence,
hope--and | was wondering whether or no
it wasn't lonesome for you living alone here,
woman, so ?"
90, l never was one of the lonesome
kind" responded Miss Dolly briskly, seat
ing her guest in the patchwork-cushioned
rockingham and for that matter, hardly
a day passes without some of James folks
| running in"
"Yes, know but if you was to change
your situation, wouldn't you enjoy life bet
ter, think ?"
Miss Dolly fidgeted at the green paper
| curtains, and intimated that her present
! happiness would be complete if the grass
| hoppers would stop feeding on her garden
sauce.
"Thats just it," continued Mr.. Wiggin,
eagerly; "you do seem to need a man to
look out for your farming interests, now
| don't you, Dolly a man that will be ready
and willing to do for you, and make you
comfortable 2"
al don't know" said Miss Dolly, dryly.
The year father died did have Sias Pot
ter, and he is the most faithful creature liv-
ing; but what with the extra cooking and
washing ! had to do for him, my work was
about double, and when mud-time came, |
was glad enough to send him off and hire by
the day. | about made up my mind that
men folks around the house cost more'n they
come TO-"
al guess we don't understand one an
other," said Mr.. Wiggin, slightly discon-
certed by this unhattering view of his sex.
81 wasn't speaking of hired help, Dolly.
Materially you would get tired of that, it's
worrin to woman. But if you was to have
a companion, now-one that could give you
a good home, with wood and water under
cover"
"Shoo shoe I" cried Miss Dolly, flying
out after an enquiring chicken on the door
step
chief from his hat to wipe his glowing face.
Certainly he hadn't felt the heat so all
through haying.
slows your health nowadays ?" asked
Dolly, frisking back with look of resolute
Inconsistencies.
"Very good remarkably good l don't
know where you'll find man, Dolly, with
a tougher constitution than I've got"
"AhW and Dolly blushed like sumac in
October.
"Yes, I'm WE'LL" pursued Mr.. Wiggin,
perseveringly, sand Pm tolerably well-to-do,
with nothing to hinder my marrying again,
providing can see a woman to my mind"
There's the deacons widow" suggested
Miss Dolly, officiously she's pious, eco
nomical-"
"She's left with means enough to carry
her through handsomely" interrupted Mr..
Wiggin, quickly. snow I'd rather have a
wife to provide for-one that needed a
home. In fact, Dolly, have my eye on the
little woman | want this minute !"
He had both eyes on her, for that matter,
| 81 IN N Il. Il.
situation, whether she accepted it or not.
"Pve managed to sweeten my tea, so far,
David, without calling upon my neighbors, "
chirruped she, STOPPING to lay straight the
braided mat, "and might as well keep on.
| don't feel it a tax as some folks would.
But there's Martha Dunning, she's having a
hard time to get along. Why don't you take
her, David ? She'd appreciate such a nice
house as yours"
at would seem as if most any woman
might" said Mr.. Wiggin in an injured tone
call finished off complete, painted outside
and in"
She'd be delighted with tim sure of
itl" broke in Miss Dolly, with an air of
conviction, as she darted into the kitchen to
lift the boiling kettle from the crane.
But you don't mean that you won't
marry me, Dolly Z" pleaded Mr.. Wiggin,
anxiously, following her to the door. 1--WE
been dotin' on seein' you at the head of
things in my house."
Martha is grand manager" said Miss
Dolly, coolly. "David needn't think he can
buy me with set of new buildings I" added
she, mentally, swapping down the lid of the
pug-nosed teapot. 60 never did have the
name of being cropping !"
81 tell you Dolly, | won't have Martha
don't like her turn !" cried Mr.. Wiggin,
testify, balancing himself on the threshold,
yet not daring to step over it.
Miss Dolly gave her undivided attention
to winging the hearth.
"You know you was always the woman
, of my choice, Dolly" pursued Mr.. Wiggin,
as tenderly as he could consistently with the
distance between them. And we were
both young"
"Pshawr /" snapped Dolly, scorching her
wig; "that's beyond the memory of man"
Mr.. Wiggin's position was becoming pain
full. Miss Dolly was not to be won by
the attractions of wealth or position, nor
even by tender illusions to the past. He
! would appeal to her kindness of heart.
81 used to believe you had some feelin',
Dolly" said he, TREMENDOUSLY; but you
don't seem to have any for me. Here am
! left all alone in the world children all
pared on tnout - Mdtliua, auu sue II 50 De-
fore the snow flies house empty"
, 81 suppose you can have home with any
of your boys, and welcome" put in Miss
Dolly, family, still fluttering about the chin
ney like swallow.
"Yes, if worse comes to worst, | suppose
can," assented Mr. Wiggin mournfully,
anything but consoled by this reflection,
/" 1t would break me down terribly, though,
, you may depend, to give up my place that |
set so much by, and crowd myself on my
children.
No response save the clattering of the
tongs.
"And it's dreadful melancholy business
for man at any time of life TO drag along
without partner. I'm getting to be old,
Dolly" and Mr.. Wiggin brushed his sleeve
} across his eyes as feruled school-boy might
, have done. AYES, I'm getting TO be old,
, Dolly" he repeated, brokenly; "and it
, stands to reason that haven't many years
, to live; but did hope we might go down
hill together, Dolly, you ohirkin' me up with
that spry way of your'n that always took
, to, and carrying the heft Of"
: Here Miss Dolly gave little sniff, moth
} ing worth mentioning only for the effect 1t
. produced upon Mr. Wiggin.
Cant you make up your mind to have
me, Miss Dolly - pleaded MIR. Wiggin,
crossing the threshold in his hopeful eager