Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1882-06-16

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J expect much. And Mis- Hosea Blodgett
added that as Hiram was a widower, no.
body knew what might happen. He was
over fifty and hard to get along with. but
then Pamely eouldH It be far off from twen-
ty-Gve, and ought to be willing to make a
sacr fee for the sake of home. Ben Sea-
verns, who use to keep company with
her, had gone off to sea five years before
and had probably got drowned to say moth
ing of beinga shiftless good-for-nothing,
and surely there was no man in Brimble-
com who wanted to marry girl without
faculty.
Before the meeting adjourned. Mis- leu
abod, Mis- Hosea Blodgett and Miss Nam
cy Perkins, the postmistress, were APP
pointed a committee to labor with
Pamely.
There was 10 doubt about the zeal OF
the committee. Bright and early thenext
morning so early III fact. that the break
fast dishes were not washed in any town
except Brimblecom-the three ladies pre-
sented themselves at the front door of
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doors were reserved for state occasions in
Brimbleton. The committee, after con-
sultation, had decided that this was an
occasion which rendered the use of the
front door appropriate.
Keturah Grant, who had been maid-of-
allwork in Deacon Semple's family for
half century, hobbled to the door and
admitted them to the sitting room; and
there was Pamela, with a great bunch Of
weeds, buttercups and clover, and white
weeds painting, actually painting. at that
time in the morning She wore high
necked and long sleeyed apron, which was
bedaubed with paint, and on her nose was
a smirch of bright yellow.
The committee with one consent heaved
deep sigh.
Seeing Scripter commands US to be kind
to the widow and the fatherless. we
thought we'd come and tell you that old
Hiram Hutchison wants housekeeper,'
said Mis- Ichabod, who had been chosen
chief spokesman, in view of the flow of
language for which she was renowned.
Pamela turned an innocent, puzzled face
upon Mis- Ichabod-a very lovely face,
with pure pale skin, and soft, shy brown
eyes, though in Brimblecom, where rosy
checked beauties were the fashion, they
had never thought Of calling it so.
oh, the widower couldn't think for
the moment what you meant. Poor man!
I am sorry if he can't find one. But no.
body could expect me to give up Keturah
surely. She is growing too old; and she
wouldn't leave anyway"
The committee looked at each other
Their mission seemed a somewhat difficult
one to perform. Was Pamela so innocent
as she 10 oked =? Mis- Ichabod had dread
full suspi con that she was deep, and she
resolved not to be daunted.
1--WE thought you might like the place
Yourself. SEEM you was left so kind Of de-
pendent" she said.
81 Oh dear havn't the least bit of
faculty, you know;'' and Pamela laughed
merrily.
"Them that hain't any faculty have got
to try to do something, if they don't
want to be objicks of charity" said Mis-
Ichabod.
81 don It think Brimblecom will ever have
to take care Of me. If it does, am such
a little thing that it won It cost it much"
There was color in Pamela's cheek
and tense look about her mouth that the
committee did not observe. They only saw
her laugh, and they arose in high dud-
geon.
Il hope the time won't come when you
won't find it laughing matter, )" said Mis-
Hosea Blodgett, who was determined
not to come away without saying some
thing that would be so humiliating to
tell of.
"Oh. I hope not" said Pamely, sweetly.
'That was the very worst thing about
Deacon Semple-you never could make
him mad.' said Miss Nancy Perkins, as
she opened the gate. And though the
other members of the committee wouldn't
acknowledge it, Pamela's resemblance to
her father in that respect was the thing
that they had found most ageravatin
tLclI lHGcIVI6W Will u0T.
Before they reached their homes thew
repented that they had not said more, but
there was something in Pamela's manner
that made it seem an impossibility. The
committee could not explain it clearly
Pamela had been quite pleasant and po-
lite, but they didn't care to 90 again.
However, they quite agreed that the mat
ter ought not to rest there, and they were
willing-even anxious-to 90 and confer
with Mr.. Stcckbridge, the minister, upon
the subject. Perhaps he could be induced
to advise her. She would not dare to be
so high and mighty with the minister.
The Rev. Mr.. Stockbridge was grave
and dignified man of nearly forty, who,
when he had first come to Brimblecom, ten
years before, had had the caps of half the
young ladies of his parish persistently set
at him. They had now, if they had not
wholly abandoned the cap-setting. learned
to "draw it mildly, lest it were all in
vain,'' for the minister had never shown
the slightest signs of being caught. He
seemed somewhat embarrassed when the
committee visited him and made known
their errand. AS Mis- Hosea Blodgett
said, in describing the interview to her
friends:
HE kinder turned red. and then he
kinder turned white. and he looked all ways
for Sunday, jest as if we'd said something
that WANT proper. And when he said
anything, which wa n It for as much as a |
minute, he up and said jest as good as to |
say that he didn't consider twas any of
his business. But Mis- Ichabod she Jest |
talked and argerfied beautiful about how
the town would have to take care of her,
and bein' her father was deacon, the |
ol,,,rol, n,,nhf 70 do ifa dI1f,r aduisin1 nxa |