Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1881-02-16

'hus "Sio siusihS outslue, anu We could
see from the window we sat, the bold peak
of katahdin, softened into a velvet cloud
by distance, over the tops of the waving
trees Marianne busted herself with her
sketch book, while idly watched the an
tics of an impish kitten, and meditated ON
Phebe's troubles
The elder was expected before teatime.
and we did not desert our post by the win
dow until he made his appearance. He
Travelled IN what they callea the ''commo-
dashun, primitive conveyance, driven by
a Jovlal young man from the eud of stage
route, several miles below. He was tall.
ungalnly man of forty or thereabouts. He
wore shiny black bIoadcloth and tall hat,
resembling stage countryman in his SUM-
day best. His hair was black, oily and
curling. HIS eyes were beautifully blue
but looked both sleepy and sinister, and
when he moved his hat we were amused to
notice the ''widower's peak, which Phebe
had mentioned so scornfully. The ex-
preston of his face was a strange mixture
OF bo& Incidence and sharpness. He car
ried gay carpet-bag in his hand, and in
variably swallowed before he spoke. He
addressed Mrs Savage as ''Sister Savage, :"
and rushed forward to greet her with
smile which was sultry in Its sweetness.
Phebe, without paying the least attention
to the elder, was exchanging great deal
OF mysterious banter with the jovial young
man under his very nosa.
81 am afraid that young man is on the
downward road" sighed the elder, view
ing their proceedings from the window,
after he had reluctantly entered the house.
Mrs. Savage looked alarmed, and hast
ened to call Phebe, who did not hasten to
make her appearance. The young man
was to remain at the house all night, as the
roads were bad, and his horse was disabled
in some way, and not until he moved to-
ward the stable with his weary steed did
she exhibit the slightest intention of de-
priving herself of his society.
The elder strobe toward her with re-
proachful tenderness, and attempted to i'm
print kiss upon her glowing cheek.
'Quit !" said Phebe, repulsing him, with
an angry push.
''Phebe Janel" calculated her mother.
reprovingly,
'.Lor, Sister Savage" said the elder,
with another sultry smile, ''girls will be
!
| little Phebe. She'll get over it in time, I'll
warrant you. Wimmen folks amt often
very backward as far as | am concerned. -
And he beamed all over with still COM
placency.
| Mrs. Savage turned one admiring eve
from his visage and another threatening
one from that of her daughter, and pro-
ceeded 10 perform an Introduction between
us and the elder. His affabilIty was ex-
treme, and addressing US each as ''sistsr,"
he commenced a theological discussion,
while Mrs. Savage and Phebe busted them
selves in preparing supper. But as ne bad
the discussion ali TO himself he soon
wearied ef II, and favored US with his
views on politics and temperance at great
length.
..HaInit seen YOU down belnW ~ he 7
suddenly inquired, from the MIDST OF ais |
itiisquis1tion, searching Marianne's face
with a somewhat puzzled expression
We were both considerably startled, for
as his speech was extremely free with the
name of his Satanic majesty, the down
below" was naturally suggestive of very
Objectionable region. 1t was great re-
lief to lnd out that he only meant Barnog
after all.
| Phebe and the strange young man, who
seemed by no means strange to her, ap-
peared rather excited and were inclined to
laugh at the elder, during the solemn exer-
cises of supper The elder regarded him
with severe disapproval, and remarked
cheerfully several times, that he knew one
or two young men who were going straight
to destruction.
Evening. however. found Phebe demure-
the young man eepy, the elder still In
theological, but not so severe mood, and
casting lover-like glances toward the maid
of his choice. But Mrs Savage looked
anxious, and was continually dropping
stitch in her knitting. ''Ny son John" and
the strange young man, who seemed to be
fast friends, retired early, pleading fatigue
Then Phebe, in spite of her mothers re-
monstrating glances, retired also. Inc
elder asked permission TO smoke pipe. and
no objection beng expressed he pulled
away, uttering little exhortation between
the whiffs-
$50 Pnebe Is engaged to the elder q in
uuired Marianne when the reverend gen.
tleman had taken his departure for the
night. and we sat with Mrs Savage by the
freside.
ssWby, yes, kalkerlate they ii be mar
ried. She's awful bigoted though, n says
she won't have him. Bigoted is the word
used for all sorts of Objectionable behavior
lin the Aroostook.) "This young man that
druy the elder up KEEP school in our dees-
trict an courted her spell winter lore iast,
n I'm afeerd he's turnin' her head agin
now."
ga marriage with him seems great deal
more suitable" l ventured, feeling deep
sympathy for the poor damsel. The ei-
i. der is so much older than Pheoe.
s.Yes. indeed" said Marianne. warmly,
oyou ought to marry the elder yourself
Mrs. Savage"
"Sakes alivel" remarked that lady; "the
elders enough sight too young and hand
come for me. I'm bound to have him Id
the family. though, ef tits only to spite the
Widder Jones, that's setting her cap al
him like all possessed, n Is alters WINS.
nerinp something against Phebe IN his ear.
The next morning Mrs. Savage was astlr
carly. as ususl, for John, who worked on
the river. was obliged to have his break,
fast at O'Clock. Phebe she always called
at balf-past 8, and when the hands Oh the
clock indicated this hour she steppeu in'o
the hall and Phebe's name echoed Win un-
Usual emphasis through the stu mouse;
But there was no response. one ca,ieu
again and again, but only silence prevailed,
II declare that girls CROWN more anu
more shlfless every day, she muttereu W
herself. and ran swiftly up stairs INTO hci
daughters bedroom. ,s h.d M,
The room was empty, the bed had not
noon occupied at all, and Phebe's clothing
had disappeared from the nails In the
n,nset. @s so had her fathers old hair trunk,
which for years had ood in one corner
There was an envelope on the table aa-
dressed 10 her mother. She tore 1t open
and read with feelings betterimaglned thah
i described: nd Is
a ooin' over to Patagumpus to get hiues
- 20 1,,orrv us this morning. L couid