The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1882-09-30

seph's," she suggested in a. depressed way to
him. I'D like to see how they're gettn'
along"
1t had been but week since Mr.. Joseph's
visit, but so much had happened to Aunt
Phemy IN that time that it seemed to her much
longer. Fretty Phemy ran out to meet them
as they drove up. "You're coming in, of
course, auntie. It's been such while since
| you were here, and I've so much to tell YOU?
And want you to see the churning did to.
day. Father says I'm getting to be famous
housewife, and am proud-just little, you
know-of this butter"
"But where is your father!" Aunt Phemy
asked; for at that twilight hour Uncle Joe
was usually stretched at ease in chair on the
| back porch.
so, he's just stepped down through the
| orchard aminute. He'll be back soon. Guess
how many pounds had, now," she added,
| leading the way to the dairy. And with dis
| cussions of butter, new recipe for Jelly, the
last honey, and the yield of Phemy's pet COW,
| a half-hour and more went by before Aunt
| Phemy knew it. Her husband had stepped
down to the orchard bars, and was holding
counsel with Uncle Joe's hired man, so that
the two had the house to themselves.
"But where is Joseph!" Aunt Phemy asked
again, as at last they went back to the sitting
room. Seems to me he amt usually in the
habit OF going off at this time of night" she
added, regarding the tall clock, whose hands
pointed to quarter past eight ''Your uncle
an me must be gittin' home. It's dark
already"
81 wish you wouldn't go Just yet, auutie, 8"
coaxed Phemy. There's a new moon, ard
! 'twon't make any matter if you amt home till
nine. Father I'll come soon, | know, aud be-
fore he gets here want to show you my new
polonay."
So another half hour went by, and then Aunt
Phemy, starting up, repeated her question
with more emphasis: "Where in creation is
Joseph!'
\ But even as she spoke at the gate at the
Ia LOT the lane opened, and a minute later
Uncle Joe came up to the porch where his
sister-in-law stood waiting for him. But as
he drew near she saw with a kind of stupe-
faction that he wore his Sunday best, and
had the sheepish air of bashful man caught
in something agreeable but slightly improper.
"Well, wouldn't have believed my eyes !"
cried Aunt Phemy. 81 declare to gracious
If you haven't been a-courtin' Joseph Badger!
! only hope you've had better luck than me.
IL ever try again to get wife for a man,
shall be clean daft"
"I-Im sorry you took so much trouble,
Phemy," Joseph said, helplessly. 81 didn't
mean to put you out; and, come to think of
it that night, it seemed more befittin' that |
should try myself. | was a-comin' to tell you
tomorrow that twas all settled. You see, |
thought of jest the right one that same night.
| come home an found her here chattin' with
she was the very one. You may think her
pretty young, but her mothers comm right
in to help, and AIMS got an old head on her
shoulders"
"You don't mean-you can't mean that chit
of girl, Ann Barnum! Well, l neverl |
never! She's scarce a year older than Phemy,
an not cent to bless herself with, an her
mother to support! Well, you have done well,
Joseph Badgern'
" She's a good girl, an like her," an
swered Uncle Joe, holding up his head as his
sister-in-law had not seen him for many a
day. "And Hetty always did, too. | don't
know why never thought of it before, for I've
said often wished could help her some way.
She's had hard row to hoe the last two years;
am as for her age, that's my lookout. l dare
say could have had any woman in Canton,
but"
I" As fur as my experience goes" Aunt
Phemy interrupted, tartly, "you couldn't "a
had no such thing. But that's always the way
it goes with widowers; they think they can
pick an choose from all creation. Well, you
might have gone further an Jared worse; for
she's good girl, if she is young and pretty.
And anyway none of the others would ha' had
you: It's Hobson's choice.-Ensily F. Wheeler,
in HlTDey'S B1znT.