The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 18??-1882, 1881-08-19

OWOSSO,
wouldn't let her former refusal tel
againt her, for as he looked back, ht
couldn't really see how she could have
married any one at that period. She
ought to be rewarded for the devotion
she had shown to the family, and, fol
his part, he felt magnanimous enough
to give her second chance to accept
him. Such was the worthy widOwer's
state of mind when he asked James
Blount with mock humanity whethe
it would be of any use for him to try
and make a bargain with Dolly. p'i''
That's more than 1 can tell" Mr..
BlOunt had answered. "DOlly's puz-
zle; you'll have to find her out your
self"
Mr.. Wiggin smiled in complacent an
ticipation of acceptance; indeed, il it
might not seem like reprOach to the
FMemory of his lost Olive, should say
the kind-hearted man rejoiced in this
opportunity of making Miss Dolly's
happiness. BenevOlence was in his
face, benevolence was in his spirit, as
he sailed forth at an early day to ac-
quaint her with her good fortune
The broken barrow which he had strap.
ped into the wagon to give tile neigh
bors plausible reason for his trip ia
the Falls was by no means typical 6f
mental laceration to its owner. His
feeling, as he approached Miss Dolly's
moss-grOwn cottage, was purely one of
thankfulness that it was i'm his power
to provide her better home. Not
that he. was grateful to his dead wife
for leaving a vacancy there. Mr.. Wig
gins had mourned faithfully for Olive
year and day.
Miss Dolly was out in the garden
gathering catnip. She had built 4
chip fire under the tea-kettle, and then
whisked off to pick an apronful of the
pungent leaves while the water was
boiling. There she was STOPPING be-
meath the caves of log-cabin sun-bon-
net, and humming lively tune when
Mr.. Wiggin drove up.
Come my beloved, haste away
piped Miss Dolly, cheerily, swapping
away briskly at the stalks. ft
Cut short the hours of Thy delay;
Fly like a youthful
''Fly like q youthful" struck in
a wheezy bass. '.'s-'''s'ss s1a-isoala~
The sun-bonnet tipped back like a
cartbody. e. NaFa
.s, 'Sakes alive!' cried Miss Dolly, not
In the words of the hymn, AZ Mr. Wig
gin strobe toward her on his Slightly
rheumatic legs. 4E~
4 didn't mean to put you out, he
laughed. shaking hands heartily; but
it seemed kind O. material to take part
with you i'm Invitatiou.'
You always had way of falling in
at the most unheard of time, remem-
ber,' .retorted Miss Dolly, saucily, re-
covering herself and going on gathering
catnip.8 "a q k az q .9'i
You used to say 1 kept good time,
only too much of it, pursued Mr.. Wig
gin with a sudden inspirations; but i
tell you what, Dolly, time never did
drag with me more than it does these
days s,v .ese- ,,.,...,a. ,..-,...
1T is a dull season. said Miss Dolly
with exasperating simplicity. Il sup.
pose the grass-hoppers have eaten most
of your wheat-haveR't they-so it'll
hardly pay for reaping?'
Just So assented Mr.. Wiggin. dis
comfited. He had not travelled five
miles in the heat to discuss the state OF
the crops. gsF9 ssEs, .,sss, 80 rss2..gr .
walk in and sit down, won't you !?
said Dolly with reluctant hospitality
Her apron was crammed to its utmost
capacity. She devoutly wished it had
been larger. ~
well, yes, L don't care g do an
swered Mr.. Wiggin, after hypocritical
show of hesitancy. Il had little bust
ness farther on at the blacksmith's
No hurry, though, as know Of" and
he turned to let down the bars for Mis-
Dolly, who meanwhile slipped through
the fence, catnip and all. Bless my
beart! l don't see but you are as smart
as you ever was,' said he, admiringly
as he pulled along in her wake. Still
you must he getting into years, Dolly
as well as I---no offence, hope-and
wondering whether OF no it wasn't
lonesome for you living fere woman
so!' i''A.f. ettf titt rs jt
%, never was one of the lonesome
kind responded Miss Dolly, briskly
seating her guest in the patchwork
cushioned 1ocking-chair, and for that
matter hardly a day passes without
some Of James folks running in
Yes, 1 know; but if you was tG
change your situation, wouldn't you
enjoy life better, think?' t.
Miss Dolly fidgeted at the green pa
per curtains, and intimated that hel
happiness would be complete if tn,
grasshoppers would stop feeding OF
her garden stuff. 90, .ga7s uoyg
That's just it, continued Mr.. Wig
gin, eagerly; you do seem to need 9
man to look out for your farming inter
ests, now don't you, Dolly! q man tha,
will be ready and willing to do for you
and make YOU comfortableY p
Il don't know, said Miss Dolly ,dryly
The year father died l did have Silas
Potter, and he Is the most faithful crea
ture living; but what with the extrs
cooking and washing / had to do fol
him, my work was about double, AM
when mud-tilne came. / was glad tc
send him of and hire by the day.
made up my mind that men folks
around the house cost more than they
come to- ls
A.J guess we don't understand one an
other said. Mr.. Wiggin, slightly discon
certed at that yInfIatterinQ view of hi: