Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1882-06-15
in Brimblecom who wanted to marry a

before the meeting adjourned, Mis-
ichabod, Mis- Hosea Blodgett, and Miss
Nancy Perkins, tie postmistress, were
appolnted committee to labor with
Pamely -
There was do. doubt about the zeal of
the committee. Bright and early the
next morning-so early, in fact, that the
breakfast dishes were not washed in any
town except Brimblecom-the three la
Dies presented themselves at the front
door OF Deacon Semple's late residence /;
'front.' doors were reserved for state occa-
sions In Brimblecom. The committee,
after consultation, had decided that this
was an occasion which rendered the use
OF the front door appropriate.
heturah Grant, who had been maid
of-all-Work in Deacon Semple's family
Tor half century, hobbled to the door
and admitted them to the sitting groom !;
and there was Pamela, with great
bunch of weeds-buttercups and clover
ana white weeds-painting, actually
painting, at that time in the morningi
She wore high-necked and long
sleeved apron, which was bedaubed with
paint, and on her nose was smirch of
bright yellow.
The committee, with one consent,
nedVeO deep sigh.
Seem Scripter commands us to be
kind to the widow and the fatherless, we
thought we'd come and tell you that old
Hiram Hutchinson wants housekeep-
err" said Mis- Ichabod, who had been
chosen chief spokesman, in view of the
''how of language" for which she was
renowned.
Pamela turned an innocent, puzzled
face upon Mis- Ichabod-a very lovely
face, with a pure pale skin, and soft shy
brown eyes, though in Brimblecom,
where rosy-cheeked beauties were the
fashion, they had never thought of call
ing it SO.
40, the widower! I couldn't think
for the moment what you meant. Poor
man! l am sorry if he can't find one
But nobody could expect me to give up
keturah, surely! She is growing too
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 so
innocent as she looked? Mis- Ichabod
had a dreadful suspicion that she was
deep, and she resolved not to be
daunted.
"We thought you might like the
place yourself, SEEM you was left so
kind of dependent, she said.
81? o dear! 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, if they dom
want to be objicks of charity" said Mis-
Ichabod.
"I don't think Brimblecom will ever
have to take care of me. If it does,
am such little thing that it won't cost
much.'
There was the suspicion of flush on
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 dudgeon.
81 hope the time won't come when
you won't find it laughing NATTER"
said Mis- Hosea Blodgett, who was de-
termined not to come away without say
ng anything; that would be so humil-
ating to tell of.
go, 1 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
members of the committee wouldn't &C
knowledge it, Pamela's resemblance to
her father in that respect was the thing
that they had found most aggravating
in their interview with her.
Before they reached their homes they
repented that they had not said 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 anxious
| to go and confer with Mr.. Stock bridge,
| 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 per-
sistently set at him. They had now, if
they had not wholly abandoned the
ap-setting, learned to ssdraw 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 want
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 arger-
fled beautiful about how the town would
have to take care of her, and bein' her
father was deacon, the church ought
to do its duty, advisin' and laborin' with
her if she was head-strong and set up,
and she convinced him-with a few
words that let fall as twas given me
to speak-and he said he'd 60 and deal
with Pamely accordin' to the best wis
dom and Judgment that was given him.