The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-03-16

,hun,n primative conveyance,
driven by q joyial young man from
the end of the stage route. several
miles below. He was tall, un-
rainlv man of forty, or thereabouts.
He wore shiny black broadcloth
and a tall hat, resembling a stage
in his Sunday best.
His hair was black oily and curling.
His ewes were beautiful blue but
looked both sleepy and sinister, and
when he moved his hat, we were
amused to notice "the widower's
peak which Phcbe had mentioned
20 scornfully. The expression of
his face was strange mixture OF
Incidence and sharpness. He car
ried gay carpet bag in his hand,
and invariably swallowed before he
spoke. He addressed Mrs. Savage
as ASister Savage" and rushed for
ward to greet her with smile which
was sultry IN its sweetness. Phebe'
without paving the least attention
to the elder, was exchanging a great
deal OF mysterious banter with the
iovial young man, under his very
nose.
II am afraid that young man is
on the downward road" sighed the
elder viewing their proceedings
from the window, after he had re-
luctantly entered the house.
Mrs. Savage looked alarmed, and
fastened to call Phebe, who did not
hasten to make her appearance. The
young man was to stay at the house
all night. as the roads were bad, and
his horse was disabled some way,
and not until he moved toward the
stable with his weary steed, did she
exhibit the slightest intention OF
depriving herself of his society.
The elder strobe toward her, with
reproachful tenderness, and attempt
ed to imprint a kiss upon her glow
ing check.
"Quitl" said Phebe, repulsing him
with an angry push.
aPhebe Jane I" CALCULATED her
mother reprovinglv.
"Lor, Sister Savage" said the ell
der with another sultry smile, girls
will be bashful, you know, and We
mustn't blame little Phebe. She'll
get over it, in time, I'll warrant you
Wimmin folks amt often very back
ward as far as | am concerned"
And he beamed all over with still
complacency.
Mrs. Savage turned one admirlng
eve from his visage and another
threatening one from her daughter
and proceeded to perform an intro
duction between ag and the elder
His affabiIity was extreme, and ad
dressing US each as SISTER he com
menced a theological discussion
while Mrs. Savage and Phebe busted
themselves preparing supper. But
as he had the discussion all to him
SELF he soon wearied of it, and ia
vored Us with his views on polite:
and Temperance at great length.
"Hain't | seen you down below?
he suddenly inquired from th'
midst of his disquisition. searchin!
Marianne's face, With a puzzled ex
preston.
We were both considerably star
tied, for as his speech was extreme
| " free with the name of his satanic
maiests. the down below" was
naturally. suggestive of a very ob,
iectionable region. 1t was a grea
reliefto find ont that he only mean
Bangor after all.
Phebe and the strange young man
who seemed bv no means strange t
her, appeared rather excited ant
were inclined to laugh at the eide
during the solemn exercise of sun
per. The elder regarded him witt
severe disapproval, and remarked
cheerfHily several times, that h
knew one or Two young men win
were going straight to destruction.
Evening, however, found fheb
demure, the young man sleepy, tn
elder still in a theological, but no
so severe a mood, and casting love
like glances toward the maid of hi
choice. But Mrs. Savage looke'
anxious, and was continually drop
ping stich in her knitting. M,
son John" and the strange yogni
man, who seemed to be fast friend
retired early, pleading fatigue
Then Phebe, in spite other mother
demonstrating glances, retired also
The elder asked permission tosmok
a pipe, and no objection being ex
pressed, he pufied away, uttering
little exhortation between the puffs
$50 Phebe is engaged to the el
der?' inquired Marianne, when tn
reverand gentleman had taken hi
departure for the night, and we sa
with Mrs. Savage by the Greside.
"Why, yes, kalkerlate they'll b
married. She's awfully bigoted
though, an says she won't hav
him" (Bigoted is the word useC
for all sorts Of Objectionable behavior
in the Aroostook,) This youn:
man that druv the elder up, KEEP
school in our district, an eourtet
her for a spell, winter fore last, an
I'm afeerd he's turning her heac
agin now"
"a marriage with him seems {
great dea! more suitable" / ventur
ed, feeling deep sympathy for tn,
poor damsel. THE elder is 60 mucl
older than Phebe."
"Yes, indeed" said Marianne, warm
ly, "you ought to marry the eide
| yourself, Mrs. Savage"
"Sakes alivei" remarked the lady
''the elders enough sight too youns
and handsome for NE; I'm bound Il
have him in the family, though, i
It's only to spite Widow Jones, that
a setting her cap at him like all pos
sessed. an is alters a whispering
something agin phebe in his ear"
The next morning Mrs. Savage
was astir early, as usual, for John
who worked on the river, was oblig
ed 10 have his breakfast at 6 o'clock
Phebe she always called at half pas
five, and when the hands of thc
clock indicated this hour, she step.
nod into Tho hail ond pheha,c not,as