Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1880-12-15
NO 5

she could not appreciate Mindweli's
ceiling, she took her conscientious self
control and candor for indifference, and
her elder lover loomed through this
mist in grander proportions than ever
she resolved then and there that it was
her duty TO accept him.
Mindwell had gone down stairs to
End her husbasd who sat by the fire
fitting rakr-tail more firmly into a
hay rake He had been caught in a
distant field by heavy shower and
was steaming now close TO the fire.
place where heap of chips was lighted
TO boi. the kettle for tea. Mindwell
stole up 10 him, and laid one hand on
his handsome head He looked up
astonished at the slight caress. and
saw his wife's eyes were full Of tears.
"W hats the matter, darling he said
in his CHEEKY voice 1t was like "a
kiss to her TO have him say darling"
for sweet words were rare among their
class; aud this was the only one he
ever used; and this was the only one
be ever used; kept sacredly, too, for
Mindwell.
"Oh, SAM" sLc answered, with a
qurer in her delicate voice, don't you
think, Deacon Flint wants to marry
mother!"
Thunder an guns you don't mean
it, wife? IIaw haw haw! It's as
good as general trainin' OF all
things? What does she say tot ?"
well, Pm most afraid she favors
him little. He's giving her weeks
time to consider of it; but somewhy
can't bear to have it thought of"
Don't poster your head about it.
Miss Pratt You can't make nor
meddle in such things; but Pm free to
own that never was more beat in all
my days. Why, Amasy Flint is town
talk for ncarness and meanness. He
pretends TO be as pious as basket %
chips, but | hain't no vital faith in
that kind % pious; | b'lieve in my
soul he's darned old hypocrite."
"Oh, Sam Sam you hadn't ought
to judge folks.
Il suppose, hadn't reelly; but
Won know what Scripter says some
where or mother that some folks sins
are open, an go to Judgment before
band, and guess his'n do. should
hate to have mother take up with
him"
"Wha can we do, SAM ~
"Nothin', strenuously. | don't
know what 'tis ab5 women folks in
such matters they wont bear no
more meddlin' with than pa'tridge's
nest you'll spile the brood if you put
in fugcr I'd say jest as much as !
could about her bein' always welcome
here III do my part Cf that set piece
o. music and that's all ae can do; II
she's set on havin' him, she will, and
you nor me can't stop it, Miss Pratt" !"
with WHICH sound advice Sam rose
from the milking stool with his recon
structed rake, took down coarse
comb from the clock case, ran it
through his hair by way OF toilet, and
sat down to supper at the table with
the three other lawmakers. Mind
we'll and her mother were going out l."
tea SO they did not sup with the men.
After they came home Sam express
ed himself in succinct but forclblc
manner to Mrs Gold on the subject OF
her marriage. and Mindwell attempted
a faint remonstrance again, but her
morbid fear of selfshness shut the
heart-throbs she longed to express to
her mother back into their habltun'
silence. She and Sam both, trying to
do their best. actually helped rather
than hindercd this unpropitous mar
riaee.
Mrs. Gold in her heart longed to
STAY with her children, but feared and
dslikcd so heartily To be n burden on
their hands that she was unjust to her
self and too. A little less self inspec
tion and little more simple honesty
Of speech would have settled this mat
ter in favor of Mindwell and Cole.
brook; rs it was. Deacon Flint car
ried the dav. On the Friday follow
ing he arrived for his answer, bis gray
hair tied in long queue his Sunday
coat Of blue and brass buttons, his
tight drab pantaloons. rufllcd shirt.
and low boots, all indicating a ceremo
nial occasion.
Gosh p' said old Israel Tucker
Jogging along in his yeast cart, as he
met the gray mare in clean harness,
whipped up bv the deacon in nj hnr
raiment. the old wagon itself being Tor
once washed and grcascd-"gosh it's
easy telIn' what he after. ] should
think them mnlleins an ardhacks IN
the burrvin-ground would kinder
rustic r mnd | don't know. though !;
mahbc Miss Flint's realized by now
that she's better of under them bean
ties nf nainr' than she ever was ~
mnav Flint's honeo. Good lnnd
what fools women folks he Thev
don't never knew when they're well
of She's had an easy time alon"
back but she's seen the last ont
she's seen the last ont Get up, jew
piter !"
Nothing dannted bv any mvstic or
magnetic sense of this vatic'nntion nv
the highway. Deacon Flint whipped
up his pony steed still more. and 7"
such good purpose that he arrived in
Colchrook before the widow had TAX
en- down the last pinned mp curl on
her forehead. or dee idrd which OF hcr
two worked collars she would put or
and whether il would he incongruon'
Ia wear u brooch Of blue enamel WITH
white centrc on 'phirh was denic'"d
lin fine brown tint produced ny
grinding m in oil lock Of the deccas-
ed Ethnn Colds hnir) n wecping will
low hending oyer tomb, with an urn
and date on the urn This did seem
littlc personal on snrh an occasion.
- she pinned on blu" bow instead,
and went down to receive the expect
ing deacon
II hope see you well, ma'am,'