The Osceola times., 1881-10-22
MIS- BABSON'S HUSBANDS.

most important parsonage in the village
Of Green HarbOr and there is no place
so much visited as her shop, which is
situated on the FIRST floor Of her own little
house at the corner. When my acquain-
tance with the lady first began, / sup.
posed that she was single judging not
only from the fact that she was called
Mis- Badson, but because there was some
thing in the twist of her natural ringlets,
and in the tone of her jew's-harp-like
voice, which suggested single blessed
ness. But | soon discovered my mis-
take. She is not one who makes her
griefs unbearable by concealing them.
She gives each new customer the full
particulars of her several widowhoods,
and talks as If burying husbands were the
chief occupation of women She is a
tall, rather a plump woman, of forty-five
or thereabouts. Her mouth has a pecu.
liar expression, owing to habit of hav-
ing il perpetually filled with pins. Her
rgadish-brown hair grows down on one
side other polished brow, after fashion
which is called by her neighbors a COW
lick. Her pale complexion is delicately
tinted with green, and her light gray
eyes have a glittering brightness. A
look of mournful liveliness pervades her
whole countonance.
She is not only the dressmaker of the
village, but fills various other important
positions with great credit She makes
and trims all the bridal bOnnets i'm the
region, though there is another outraged
milliner at the Landing who serves on
ordinary occasions. As nurse she is
quite famous, though, unless the case be
particularly attractive or extremely Sc
we're, she does not feel justified in leaving
her ghop to the tender merCies of ldelia
ROsaana, the ilightiest niece that ever
wise aunt was afflicted with, to devote
herself to the care Of the sick. As a
doctress she is also highly valued. and,
as there is no regular physician within
five miles, her skill is often called into
practice. When, as she phrases it, any
one is called away" in the town, her ser
vices are ALWAYS required for making the
shroudand preparing the body for burial.
Then, she is the very efficient President
OF the ladies' sewing society, the leading
soprano in the church choir, and agent
for Butterick's patterns, the proprietress
Of a celebrated eye-wash. and the general
advisor of both old and young in the
town, and several neiehboring towns as
well. OF late years the llarbor has been
crowded with summer visitors, and she
takes. these on her hands also.
II is fascinating place, that little shop
of hers, and, whether you wish 10 make
purchase or not, it is well worth the
while 10 visit IL on a Summer morning.
To be- sure your entrance is likely tO be
attended with some difficulty, rs the gate
of the ilower-lilled yard in front is fast
ened by a unique sort Of iatch-an in
yention of the latest lamented, who GER
tainly must have been a gcnius-and one
which she piously retains in memory of
him, though some of her customers pre-
fer 10 climb the fence rather attempt TO
make an entrance by solving its mystic
ries. Then small dog, belonging to
another lamcnted, objects considerably
to strangers. Once inside, through the
politeness of ldclia Rosanna, or the aid
Of an experienced neighbor, You draw a
long breath Of relief and prepare your
self 10 enjoy the situation. Through the
open doors and windows, on the breath
Of n whole souled breeze, comes the pun
gent aroma Of the sea, which sparkles
not far away. You listen 10 it's music
and the sleepy ruslles Of the wheat field
opposite while waiting the shop-mis-
tress. who is invariably detained
bv some household duty, and apol-
ogizes olalorately for the unit
diness of her personal appearance,
when she finally enters the door in
solemn haste. The sunshine dances ON
the painted floor and peeps with eyes as
curious as your own into the crowded
show case. from the splendid abundance
of which Ideli2 Rosanna is bedecked as
maiden was never bedecked before.
What does il not contain with its crys-
tal clearness2 Georgoous flowers, the
seInblauce of nothing which grows in
either field or garden; amazing articles,
designed rs ornaments for the neck,
heaped together in many colored splen-
dor accorhpons, which share the palm
with melodoons in Green Ilarbor ideas
Of melody: cotton laces in rich ilowered
patterns, n dazzling display of iewelry,
beads. bracelets, neck k-laces, with great
variety of precions stones glitteriug from
elaborate scttings;scissOrs, pocket knives
mink and white candy, spcriacles
raitlcs. rainbow ribbons, crotcheted edg-
inc, cough drops, collars, golden cement,
dollsaud fancy soap, to say nothing of
paient medicine, and small assortment
of books. evidently chosen solely for the
do gca captains are building new houses
AT Green IIarboi OF late and no new par.
lnr iscompletc without q few gorgeous
books for the center table. Outside the
showcase are also many fascinating
filings -bonnets, daintily covered with
pink netting as n protection ffom me
lilies; stamped patterns for rugs in rich
and strange variety; Britannia te1-pots;
shining like the sun over the shelf piled
with new prints, and in a close proXiml,
ty 10 these an odd collection OF boots ana
shoes. ..,.
The door which leads into the sitting
room is always open, and reveals cozy
interior. The clean, yellow painted
0oor is covered with the soitest and
brightest of home made rugs. The WIN
dows are pleasantly shadowed WIN
morning glory vines and great many
Towering plants perfume the atmosphere.
Mis- Babson takes the same pride IN hcf
"plants" which a great many women do
in their blankets and table linen, and eX-
hibits them with great comyacency, es.
nerially her "Qcranium blows n resi-
inviting. chintz covered lounge Is nsuai,
w occupied bya splendid black cat, and
a great plump cushioned, sleepy holioW
rocking chair has always been sacred 10
husbands. When not occupied by one
Of these happy inyalids IL is usually tied
up in black Grape in memory OF one
Here they sat one after another, as
YOU have been informed, through long
Terms comparatively comfortable con
slrmption. How could one ask Tor
more peaceful ending to his days! Here