South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1881-05-27

OF John Armstrong as we'll Cold.
most probably, for he tucked the robes
more closely about his companion.
and hurried his horses along faster.
You were, Mr.. Armstrong, and
Call me John, as you always did,
Martha, he interrupted.
And I'll never forget it, Mr.-John.
and Eve often wished could do some
thing Tor you i'm return; and But.
John, You arc driving past the lane
leading to my poorlittle house. What
is the matter with your What
Might just as well try to hold a
pair OF locomotives, he answered au-
dibly, and then chuckeled to himself
at the idea of any team running away
with him ami after pause he con-
tinued, But l reckon little longer
ride won't do you any harm, Martha,
for L don't believe you have one very
Often
No. sighed the widow.
g Then we'll go on. There. YOU
brutes, you are satisfied to stop now
you have got home; and, Martha.
you might rs well get out, and warm
yourselves, and I've got something
to show you.
He lifted out the widow and her
boy before any objections could be
made, and babe them run in while he
put the blankets over his horses. A few
minutes later he followed, and found
her standing in the middle of the
Kitchen floor, laughing heartily.
What upon earth has been going
on here p she questioned, looking
roguish and rosy.
lie told her, and her laughter in
creased, she now and then ejacula-
ting, Just like man = and then ask
ing where his women folks were, and
when they would be home.
Not for a couple of days, and I
shall either starve OF kill myself by
that time. BY the way, Martha, you
AMI the boy must be hungry, and
s'pose we get up rousing dinner,
and eat it together, for
lie turned away. Was too big,
hearted to even hint that her meals
must generally be slim ones. But she
caught the ideu,a and in her heart bless.
ed him for his tender consideration.
1t didn't take John Armstrong We
~ loIg to chop wood, and when he
returned Martha had laid aside bon.
net and shawl, found an apron, and
was busy clearing up the wreck.
With his assistance this was soon ac-
complished, and order brought from
chaos. Then he slaughtered couple
OF chickens, dressed them, and blum
dered around until Martha laughingly
told him he was only i'm the way, and,
sitting down where he could watch
her, he took the little boy in his lap.
and attempted to amuse him by tell.
ing stories.
But he made even more blunder.
ing work than at housekeeping. His
eyes and thoughts were upon the wo-
man whom by strategy he had got-
ten TO cook his dinner; and trim
figure was Martha Edmunds's, fully
ten years his junior, with wavy, nut
brown hair, clear, blue eyes, full red
lips, white teeth, round waist, and, as
she rolled up her sleeves to make bis
cult, he would have sworn there new,
or were more snowy or plump arms
in the world.
And such dinner! 1t always made
his mouth water when he recollected
1t. He fanced chickens must enjoy
being cooked in such fashion, that
no woman living or dead ever made
such biscuits or pies, that potatoes
were never mashed so white, rich,
and smooth, that table was never ar.
ranged so daintily.
lie ate and ate until there was n
comfortable PAIN" beneath his vest,
and then laid the little fellow away TO
take nap, while he assisted Martha
IN clearing the table. That done,
the floor swept, and the housc 'tidicd
up, both declared it was the pleasant
est day they had passed for many
years.
But, said the widow suddenly,
with the richest color flaming in her
cheeks, Il must go home. low peo-
pie would talk if they only kuew.'
wait until the boy wakes up sug-
gested John. 1--we been thinking of
old times today, Martha
Il don't wonder when YOU had such
n hard time getting breakfast. I'd
have given anything to have seen
you missing around
And again she laughed merrily.
ut was no laughing matter for me.
But, Martha, you have made the day
very pleasant aud happy for me, and
as you said you wanted to pay me for
my kindness, why, why
Obi would never be able to do
that, john she said. you were SO
very, very good
Il didn't think the debt was 30 very
large, he answered, with a smile