The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1882-06-01
view of the flow OF language" for
which she WAS rannwnad-


brown eyer, though in Brimblecom
where rosy-cheeked beauties were the
fashion, they had never thought ol
calling it 80.
"Oh, the widoweri 1 couldn't think
for the moment what you meant. Poor
mani am sorry if he can't find one
But nobody could expect me to give mr.
Keturah, surelyl She is growing toe
old; and she wouldn't leave me, any.
way"
The committee looked at each other
Their mission seemed somewhat diff
cult one to perform. Was Pamely Sc
innocent as she lookedP Mis- fchabod
had dreadful suspicion that she was
deep, and she resolved not to be
daunted.
"We thought you might like the
place yourself, seein' you was left SC
kind of dependent" she said.
ct? Oh, dear 1 haven'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 il they
don't want to be obiicks of charity,
said Mis- Ichabod.
81 don't think Brimblecom will eve,
have to take care of me. If it does
am such little thing that it won't cost
much"
There was suspicion of a flush on
Pamelas cheek and tense look about
her mouth that the committee did not
observe. They only saw her laugh, and
they arose in high dudgeon.
II 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
siying anything; that would be SO
humiliating to tell of.
"Oh, I hope not" said Pamela,
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 aggravating in their inter
view with her.
Before they reached their homes they
repented that they had not eaid more,
but there was something in Pamela S
manner that made it seem an impossi
bility. The committee could not ex.
plain it clearly. Pamela had been quite
pleasant and polite, but they didn't care
to go again. However, they quite
agreed that the matter ought not to rest
there, and they were willing-even anx
ious-to go and confer with Mr.. Stock
bridge, tie minister, upon the subject
Perhaps he could be induced to advise
her, She would not dare to be SO bigl
ana mig ehty Will the nAinister
Tie Rev, Mr.. Stockbridge was a grave
and dignifed 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 per
sistently set at him They had now, i
they had not wholly abandoned tho
cap-setting, learned to "draw it mildly
lest it were all in vain," for the minister
had never shown the slightest signs u
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 al
ways for Sunday, jest as if we'd said
something that want proper. And
when he said anything, which want TO,
as much as 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
argerfed beautiful about how the town
would have to take care of her, and
bein' her father was a deacon the
church ought to do its duty, advisin
and laborin' with her if she was
headstrong and set up, and she con.
vinced him with a few words that
let fall as twas given me to speak
and he said hid go and talk with
Pamely accordin' to the best wisdom
and judgment that was given him
When she sees him a-comin' she'll
dowse her peak, for there's nobody in
Brimblecom that amt afraid of the
minister"
Within a week the committee waited
upon the minister to hear tine result oi
his advice to Pamela. 1t was very hard
to find him at home they tried fou,
times before they succeeded. If he had
been anybody but the minister they
could not have avoided the painful sus
picion that he slipped out of the bach
door when he saw them coming. AND
when at last they did find him at home
his report was not altogether salts
factory.
"Miss Semple did not care to accept
the position of housekeeper to Mr.
Hiram Hutchinson" he said, as il
Pamela were the greatest lady in the
land, and could pick and choose posi-
tions. But then he was minister, and
ministers couldn't be expected to tall
Just like comm On people.
"What is she a goin' to do, then p
demanded Mis- Ichabod, severely. 81
don't know of any other chance fol
her,"
CT offered her position, but she
declined that aiso," said the minister.
The committee looked thunder,
struck.
81 do hope it want to keep school,
said Mis- Hosea Blodgett, recovering
herself suddenly, "for she hain't {
mite of faculty, everybody knows. Why
I asked her once if she understood
mathematics, and she said she could do
addition if you gave her time. Ny An
CELIA understands mathematics, and be
sides beautiful learnin' she's got rea
faculty for keepin' school"
"It was not a position as school
teacher" said the minister.
"She could kind of get along will
house work, though she hain't any
fannltu 1 hnnn tha fnlks ain,t rar,