Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1882-06-08
Miss Jonquil was fat and fair, and

A'Afco cOh4Ah way 0ho
had a notwithstanding manner and
light gray eyes.
Dear me-" she continued, gliding
in and Pumping herself into chair BY
the fire, if it amt this very day ten
years ago that YOU was cooking things
just like you are now, because you
thought Jim Griggs would be back next
day. We all told you not to put faith in
his promising-that it was quite likely
he wouldn't come, he was always so
careless; but you was so headstrong you
would prepare for him. and have par
" TO welcome him anyhow. | suppose
you thought it might be your wedding
day if he took a notion to suggest it
for l suppose he hadn't spoke already"
You needn't bother yourself about
whether he had or not" said Miss
Prue, flushing. ''He didn't come. so l
hope You are satisfied
30, now, Prue," said Miss Jemima.
reproachfully, 81 YOU know Twas awfully
sorry when he didn't come. YOU looked
SO distressed, and pitied You ever
since. You seemed as though you
thought such lot of Jim. If he had
only returned you might have been
Mrs. Griggs all this time. He must be
married long ago. and | suppose you
don't expect ever to be nothing but an
old maid now"
Miss Jonluil. being fully six months
Younger than Miss Merriweather, could
afford this taunt.
Il don't expect anything only what
Providence SENDS said Miss Prue,
composedly. setting plate of tarts in
the window to cool.
A great fire roared in Miss Merri-
weather's parlor the next day, and the
strange guests We're soon assembled,
enjoying the novelty and exchanging
greetings, comments and criticisms.
Dear me-" said an old lady in
linsey shawl, who earned scanty living
by knitting socks, - if there amt Jane
Higgs, and looking as if she thought she
was as good as anybody"
And just see old Daddy Skifhins.
with MS wall-eyes and bristles. know
he'll spoil my appetite" remarked Mrs.
Baker, who was almost helpless with
dropsy. Il do think he might have
sense enough to stay away"
But Daddy Skifkins. far from sus-
pecting himself of being an object of
aversion, was bent on making himself
agreeable to all. and trotted about from
the fire to the dining-room door with
gleeful explanations of-..Crikey, what
jolly fire! She's an angel, Miss Prue
is! There's a turkey bigger than a
wash-tub. Bless her hearti don't it
Just make fellow feel like going to
church? What 4 cake! Amt, it a
screamery etc, until Mrs. Baker re-
quested him to shut his mouth and not
make fool of himself
Miss Prue felt that she had an ample
reward in the happiness she had the means
of bestOwing upon these poor creatures,
into whose lives so few such CLEANS as
obese had fallen.
If people would only seek happiness
in this manner they would find it often
er." she thought. -'
Meg. who was helping her aunt lay
the table, found the affair rather an in
experiment. and even Mrs.
Potter conceded that lending to the Lord
was no. bad investment. III
Miss Merriweather was Just finishing
off her table arrangements with great
glass dish of ORANGES, when Daddy Skif-
kins came skipping out. in much excite
ment.
Miss Prue," he exclaimed, ''there's
a fellow outside says can he come in,
because it is showing very fast? And
Mrs. Baker and Granny Larkins says he
shan't come in; but it seems rather
rough on fellow that he has no place
to 60 10, and don't think he has, and'-
..Of course he can come in" said
Miss Prue, settling the last orange
"Wait-Pll let him in myself"
As she opened the door tall form in
a rough gray overcoat, all dappled with