Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-07-01

she WAS ItTSbll.
10, JO," said the widow to her
hrothcr-in-law, raising his detected head,
and shaking him theoretically by the
shoulder; kate, my sister, my dear
ones, prepare yourselves. Don't let it
come upon you too sudden.
Good heavensw cried poor Pillikin,
leaping to his feet; "what has happen
ed" What is il nOw??'
"lts-it's not the Mr.. Brown with
the bill, Jo."
"Who is it: what is it" Misfortunes
never came alone. Pm prepared for
anything"
"Its-it's-oh, 10, it's Brown of Ne
vadam
"Great heavens" said 10, springing
TO the door.
"And he didn't buy his goods of
Scrimmage; he went there to meet u
friend, and he will buy his goods of you,
as he always does" said the young
widow, in crescendo that at least
reached shrlll treble; but 10 was al
ready wringing the hand of Brown.
apart from the fact that you have
not gone back on me, Brown" said Mr.
Pillikin, 81 don't mind telling you that
your presence is a rcprieve from all sorts
of miScrics; hut how the deuce did YOU
find me OutM'
"Why, one Of your general statesmen
over there forget his name told me
you and HardsCrabble had some words
about my going into Scrimmage's. He
said you were 50 cut up about it, and
didn't appear to be well when you left
the store; so | thought I'd take Il cab
and come over. 1t was apleasant night;
that is, not very pleasant night; but
| hadn't anything to do-that is, bad
lots Ofthings To do, hang it, | wanted TO
come, and am glad | didw
$50 am |, BrOwn-God bless you, 50
am ~ Then poor Pillikin, relieved of
the burden of doubt and wretChedness
that had oppressed him and having
there before him as his voluntary guest
the representative of aworshipful
amount of trade-pOor Pillikin gathered
together his scattered dignity and self
esteem and began to discuss matters of
business with serene and serious en-
thusasm that bespoke the happiness of
the occasion.
As for Brown, of Nevada, he couldn't
keep his mind upon what
Pillikin was say" :, he was
so taken up with the rus ling of drapery
outside.
The two little women Were flying
around down stairs i'll tn kitchen, and
up spairs III the dining-r"Dm. The chill
dren had their bread sad milk, and
We're washed and put to bed the widow
flew down to the kitch' n and made
some little dishes, all i'll the twinkling
of an eye, their culinary ,.rfectiOn con-
sisting in tl,e rapidly wi 4 which they
were got together, and clappcd upon
the dumb waiter, and huiSted to her sis
ter in the dinning-rOOm above, who
whiskcd them upon the table, and what
with the haste and happiness and uneX-
ptctedness of it all, when they rang the
Lell and invited the gentlemen out to
supper, they couldn't possibly be two
prcttier or more engaging women in the
universe; and more appetiAing meal
Brown, of Nevada, never saw or tasted.
From plying 10 Pillikin he began to
envy him. How hollow and cold ana
altogether unsatisfactory was the life OF
a bachelor particularly out III Ne
vada.
The March wind still roareI and
hOwled and the March Sleet yet beat
upon the Pillikin windo''-"HH"S, and
nothing would but Brow, oil Nevada,
must st ay all night.
He knew that it must be the widows
room that ne slept in las indeed it was
that little woman and her orphan boy
crowdng in with the little PillikinsJ
and Brown, of Nevada, went all around,
admiring the pretty knickknacks and
worSted work and embroidery, that was
of course the work of the fair widows
hand. He went to sleep and dreamed
that Pillikin was 50 stepped in pecu-
MARY difficulties that the widow found
the piano and stool and music, and even
the embroidered cover, were only drop
in the bucket; 80 in her warm grneroS-
itv She threw herself in and stood upon
the piano to he rallied of 10y the friends
and creditors of Pillikin. Brown threw
double skies every time; and had Just
made arr an"emcute To have the widow
and piano and stool and music shipped
to Nevada with the rest of his goods
when the breakfast bell rang. He
awOke and blushcd to find what absurd
tics a man will dream, and bluShed still
more when the soft, innocent eyes OF
the widow met his own over the pOta-
toes, and the mullins, and scrambled
eggs, and the multitude of good things
which he found out afterward she had
made with her own hands.
Her orphan boy was fine little fell
low, and would make a splendid man
some day if he could be taken where
there was room to grow. .
But who can picture the pride of PILL
kin when he walked into the store the
the next morning arm in arm with
Brown, of Nevada" Mr.. Hardscrabble
was Just bullying one of the
heads of stock, and catching
glimpse of this touching
spectacle of amity between Pillikin and
Brown, of Nevada, he rushed forward,
with tender hospitality placed an alice
tionate hand upon the shoulder of each,
and thus lovingly linked together, the
three walked down the store.
And the saying is that whatever you
dream in strange bed is sure to come
true; and shouldn't wonder if, when
Brown went back to Nevada, he'd take
all things ne won at that imaginary
raflle-all except the piano and stool
and music and embroidered cover.
These the dear little widow declares she
will leave to the young Pillikins.