Morris tribune., 1882-02-02
MRS. CLAGGEI'S CONQUEST.
Yes. I've certainly made an impr

Yes, I've certainly made an impress
sion."
The widow Clagget smiled complacently
and her knitting needles clicked louder
than ever as she glanced out of the window
at Squire Eversham's handsome country
house, with its old fashioned gable roof
and the tall buckeyes and swamp maple
trees shading the lawn.
"The 'Squire's been comm here pretty
steady of late. He's mighty good catch,
too;" she continued, with much inward
satisfaction. Though that boy of his
might give me some trouble at first. He
wouldn't bother me long, could tell him
that. If he didn't learn to walk chalk
pretty quick my name amt Priscilla
Clagget.
The widow drew out her yarn with jerk,
and shot determined glances from her
sharp black eyes, as If she were quite capa-
bic of making anybody walk chalk" even
Squire Eversham himself, as we'll as poor
little fve-year old Freddie.
Il think it's good match for the squire,
too, if do say it myself, for he needs
housekeeper bad enough. That good-for-
nothing colored girl he keeps amt worth
shucks, and it's rediklous of the squire to
keep her just because she was good to his
wife. Fiddlesticks! Squire Eversham's
old enough to know better; instead of act
ing like sentimental school girl"
The squires attentions increased, and
the widow grew more exulting than
ever.
He certainly will propose soon!" she
said. "And wish he'd hurry up! do
want to get ahead of Mehitable Terryl
Maneuvering old maidl She'll be as mad
as piper if 1 get married first. Let me
see! I'll have the quilting next week, and
I'll get Ruhama Sykes TO come and help
about the dinner. I'd have to pay anybody
else dollar, but Ruhama's SO needy she'll
come for next to nothing"
Ruhama was Mrs. Clagget's niece, and
lived by herself in a tiny bit Of cottage,
half buried in shrubbery, and quite over
run with Virginia creepers and wild trum-
pet vines.
"a quilingl" said Squire Eversham to
himself, as he sat down in his roomy, we'll
furnished house. "Yes, I'll go. I have
about made up my mind to marry for Fred
dies sake. He needs mothers care, and
Mrs. Clagget:sis certainly kind to him, and
so fond of children, too. She pets Fred
die little too much-almost spoils him, in
fact; but that's better than being too severe
with him. Freddie is not child who can
stand severity. can't do better than mar
ry the widow" he concluded; though
some way don't seem as much drawn to
her as was to Amy"
And the squire gave sigh to the men,
ory of the gentle girl wife, who had slept
for five years under the grassy turf in the
village churchyard.
Ruhama was glad to do the cooking at
Mrs. Claaget's quilting for mere pittance,
as her aunt had said, and she was soon at
work baking plume cake and custard pie,
jelly-rolls and jam-pufs, with host of
other things besides.
The day of the quilting arrived, and the
company we're in the parlor, talking and
laughing good deal, and sewing very
little.
The table was nearly set for dinner, and
Ruhama was in the buttery, ornamenting
cream-pie with bits of ruby -hued jelly.
Hurry up the dinner, Ruhama, said the
widow hurrying about to see to things, her
cheeks flushed with excitement, for the
squire showed that he meant business, and
only waited an opportunity to declare his
intentions.
She stepped to the buttery- door. .watch-
ing Ruhamas busy fingers ornamenting the
cream-pie.
That's rigbt-make everything nice,
Ruhama, she said, approvingly. Il don't
want to skInch any just now; but after I get
the squire, I'll make up for it-see if I
don'tl I'll give that lazy nigger her walk
ing-papers first, and then I'll take some Of
the nonsense out of Freddie, too, spoiled
young one that he is as sure as I'm born
womanl"
Mrs. Clagget spoke emphatically, for she
was in earnest.
"Oh, aunt, said Ruhama, beseechingly,
you'll be good to little Freddie, won't
you? Poor little fellow!"
@Good to himl" retorted the widow,
snappishly. "Of course I'll be good to him
so good to him that won't humor him
to death, like he has been; and I'll teach
him that he's got to mind from the word go.
won't have no spoiled young ones about
mel"
3Ahemi" said loud voice.
The widow turned, her cheeks blazing
with modification, for there by the dining
table stood the squire shimself. He had
| heard every word she said.
much obliged, Mrs. Clagget, said the
squire, grimly, for enlightening me as to
| your views in regard to children; but fol-
the present I will keep Freddie in my own
charged
And he strobe away, without waiting FOR
| his dinner.
Three months later Squire Eversham
welded Ruhama, and little Freddie nevAl
learned to walk chalk. after all.
Kansas City Mo-, continues to grow rap.
IT, u 49, ~