Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1881-06-10

4
"Sakes alive 7" cried Miss Dolly, not
in the words of the hymn, as MIR.
Wiggin strobe toward her on his slightly
rheumatic legs.
81 didn't mean to put you out, he
laughed, shaking hands heartily; "but
it seemed kind O natural to take part
with you in Invitation"
"You always had a way of falling In
at the most unheard of times, remem-
Der" retorted Miss Dolly, saucily, re-
covering herself and going on gathering
catnip.
'You used to say / Kept good time,
only too much Of it !" pursued Mr..
Wiggin with sudden inspiration but
! tell you what, Dolly, time never did
drag with me more than it does these
days"
at is dull season." said Miss Dolly
with exasperating simplicity. Il sup
pose the grasshoppers have eaten most
of your wheat-haven't they-so it'll
hardly pay for reaping?"
"Just SO" assented Mr.. Wlggln, dis
comfitted He had not travelled five
miles in the heat to discuss the state Of
the crops.
"Wa1k in and sit down, won't your
said Dolly, with reluctant hospitality.
Her apron was crammed to its utmost
capacity. She devoutly wished it had
been larger.
"Well, yes, don't care if d." an
swered Mr.. Wiggin, after a hypocrit-
ical show Of hesitancy 81 had a little
business further on at the blacksmith's.
No hurry, though, as / know of" and
he turned TO let down the bars for Miss
Dolly, whe meanwhile slipped through
the fence, catnip and all "Bless my
heart | 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 be getting long into years,
Dolly, as well as no offence, hope,
and | was wondering whether or no
it wasn't lonesome for you living alone
here, womar so?"
go, | never was one of the lonesome
kind, )" responded Miss Dolly, briskly,
seating her guest in the patchwork
cusioned rockingchair, "and, for that
matter, hardly a day passes without
some Of James's folks running in"
Eyes, ! know; but if you was to
change your situation, wouldn't you en-
10y life better Think"
Miss Dolly fidgeted at the green pap
er curtains, and intimated that her
happiness would be complete if the
grasshoppers would stop feeding on her
garden sauce.
That's Just it," continued Mr.. Wig
gin eagerly; "you do seem to need a
man to look out for your farming in
terests, now don't you, Dolly a man
that will be ready and willing to do for
you. and make you comfortable"
81 don't know" said Miss Dolly, dry
ly. "The year father died | did have
Silas Potter, and he is the most faithful
creature living; but what with the extra
cooking and washing | had to do for
him, and my work was about double,
and when mud time came, | was glad
enough to send him off and hire by the
day. | made up my mind that men
| folks around the house cost more than
| they come to-"
81 guess we don't understand one an
other" said Mr.. Wiggin, slightly dis
concerted at this unhattering view of
his sex. Il wasn't speaking of hiring
help, Dolly. Materially you would get
tired of that. It's worrin' to a woman.
But if you was to have companion,
now that could give you q good
home, with wood and water under Gov
er-"
"Sheol SHOOT" cried Miss Dolly, fly
ing out after an inquiring chicken on
the doorstep
Mr.. Wiggin drew his red handker-
chief from his hat to wi pc his glowing
face. Certainly he had not felt the
heat SO bad through haying
Flows your health, now-a-days?"
asked Dolly, frisking back with look
of resolute unconsciousness.
every good; remarkably good |
don't know where you will find man
with a tougher constitution than | have
got "
"Ahr' and Dolly blushed like a SUI
mac in October.
"Yes, I'm well, pursued Mr.. Wiggin,
perscveringly, "and Pm tolerabe we'll
TODD, with nothing to hinder my mar
rying again, provided | can see wo-
man to my mind"
There's the deacon's widow" sug-
gested Miss Dolly, ofliciously; she's
pious, economical"
| "She's left with means enough to
carry her through handsomely" inter
rupted Mr.. Wiggin, quickly Now
Ia rather have wife to provide for
one that needed home. In fact Dol
ly, have my eye on little woman
want this minute"
He had both eyes on her for that
matter, and Miss Dolly was forced to
recognize the situation, whether she
accepted it or not.
I've managed to sNeeten my tea so
far, David, without calling upon my
neighbors, 7 chirruped she, STOPPING to
lay straight the braided mat, "and |
might as well keep on. | don't feel it
n tax as some folks would But there's |
Martha Dunning, she's having hard
time to get along. Why don't you take
her, David? She'd appreciate such
home rs yours"
1T would seem as if most any wo-
man might" said Mr.. Wiggin, in an
injured tone; "all finished off complete.
painted outside and IN"
shed be delighted with tim sure
of it.' 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?' pleaded Mr.. Wiggin.
anxiously following her to the door. 81
have been dotin' OIL seem you at the
head of things at my house"
Martha is good manager" said
Miss Dolly, cody. David needn't
think he can buy me with new set of
buildings" added she mentally, snap
ping down the lid off the pug-nosed tea
pot. Il never did have the name of
being cropping"
Il tell you, Dolly, won't have Mar
tina: | don't like her turn" cried Nj.
Wiggin testify balancing himself on the
threshold yet not daring to step over
it.
Miss Dolly gave her undivided at
!tention to winging the hearth.
You know you was always the wo-
man of my choice, Dolly, pursued Mr..
Wiggin, as tenderly as he could con-
siStently with the distance hetweer,