Connecticut western news., 1882-05-10

w since. You seemed as though you thought such lot ot Jim. If he had only returned you might have been Mrs. Griggs all this time. He must be mar ried long ago, and I suppose you don't expect to be nothing but an old maid now"
 Miss Jonquil being fully six months younger than Miss Merriweather, could afford th1s taunt.
 ''I don't expect anything only what Providence sends, said Miss Prue con- posedly, setting plate of tarts in the window to cool.
 A,,great fire roared in Miss Merriweath- er's parlor next day, and the strange guests were soon assembled, enjoying the novelty and exchanging greetings, comments and criticisms.
 "Dear me-" said an old lady in lin sey shawl, who earned scanty living by knitting socks, eff there ain't Jane Riggs, and looking as if she thought she was as good as anybody"
 "And just see old Daddy Skifkins, with his wall-eyes and bristles know he'll spoil my appetite" remarked Mrs. Baker, who was almost helpless with dropsy. 'I 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 exclamaiions of" Crikey, what jolly fire She's an angel, Miss Prue is There's turkey bigger than 8 wash-tub. Bless her heart! don't it just make fellow feel like going to church What a cake Aint it a screamer?" 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 gleams as these had fallen. elf people would only seek happi- ness in this manner they would find it oftener," she thought.
 Meg, who was helping her aunt lay the table, found the affair rather an in- teresting experiment, and even Mrs. Potter conceded that lending to the Lord was not bad investment.
 Miss Merriweather was just finishing off her table arrangements with great glass dish of oranges, when Daddy Skifkins came skipping out, in much ex- citement.
 Miss Prue," he exclaimed, ''there' s fellow outside says can he come in, be- cause 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 go to, and I don't think he has, and"-
 "Of course he can come in," said Miss Prue, settling the last orange. Wait-I'll let him in myself"
 As she opened the door 8 tall form 1T rough gray overcoat, all dappled witt 1 SHOW, WalkoO III.
 "Prue !" exclaimed deep voice jus little tremulous.
 And without further notice the tai and saucy stranger gave Mics Prue { very snowy hug.
 "Jim-Jim Griggs-is it really you cried Miss Prue, returning the hug, il the face of all the guests, who hat trooped into the hall, with Mrs. Potte and Meg close behind.
 "It's Jim Griggs and nobody else, returned the stranger cheerily. "An' every year for the past ten it's been m. intention to come home on this yer day of this very month, because 1t the anniversary of that day promise to come, when got all but killed an
 robbed afterward and when got int 8 travelling condition come back wouldn't, with never a penny, when had made fortune and vowed vo'
 not to come till I had it back-whic
 I've done at last-:and to come thi ? night when I did. Letters we poo wretches couldn't send oftener tha
 once in six months, and then they mostl went astray; so wouldn't risk it, nc be1ng any hand to write anyway, and . always said next year I'll go sure. knew you'd wait for me, Prue, m
 darling, and here you are, with every | thing and everybody to welcome bac
 the prodigal.
 , Mir. Griggs finished his explanatie before the bounteous fire, with Dad6 Il Skiffklls revolving around him in perfect ecstasy, and every body talki1 at once.
 u Miss Prue took the opportunity
 indulge in a thankful little cry behir + the dining-room door.
 But it somehow happened that whi
 the guests were enjoying their banquet U for which Mrs. Bakers appetite W / not found to be seriously impaired u Daddy Slufkins's presence-Mr. Orig It persuaded Miss Prue to take lit ]. walk with him as far as the ministe - residence.
 "It appears like it was her weddin
 dinner she was cooking, after all, ss 'o Miss Jonquil, when she heard lo news. "But, law sakes '" she adde
 with litter, Git wasn't 8 very styG m affair. I wouldn't have such a we It ding"
 IS Which remark did not trouble St late Miss Merriweather in the least. ht
 y. lis Bombs.