The National tribune., 1882-05-13
WIDOW kPPLED0RE'S ROMANCE

HIUUN AZ LLUUhE D hUMRNVu
"A man that thinks of nothing but
pep'mint oil an the price of wheat. No!
Emma Jane; my life has been humdrum
enough without my ending it with Deacon
Bliss. sllan't have him!"
We'll, well, Rosetta, if you won't don't
knows anybody's goin'ter try an make you,
chirped plump, rosy Mrs. Phlox, looking up
from the stout blue wooden sock she was
knitting. dispose the Deacon thought he'd
right to ask you, seein' it's g free country.
Caleb Appiedorc was a awful nice man, but
SOS the Deacon. Lone wimmen are put on.
Job Whitt&moTe neglects your garding, an
Just see what work you have with your fires
winters an keepin' roads broke out"
am not going to marry just to have some
one tend the garden and do the Chores said
Mrs. Appledore. give never found fault
with them that's dead and gone, but I know
what it is to live with person who does not
care two pins for the things l do, and if
ever do marry again it will be some one who
can sympathize with me. 1 can't say /
swallow all 'Lias Bradshaw says about the
MARVIN of souls and afinities, but there's
some truth in it you may depend. Besides,
I'd like little romance In my life before l
die"
"Ro-mance is all well 'nuff," said Mrs.
Phlox; but you're 80 next March, Rosetta,
an sech a man as Deacon Bliss don't grow
on every bush. Bein' a good provider, an
a splendid farmer, an deacon, an piller
in the church may not be romantic, but
they're good recommendations in man
you're thlnbin' of marryin'. hope you'll
think twice"
II have thought, and shan't marry the
Deacon" said Mrs. Appledore, decisively;
"an' if that's being romantic, I'm not ashamed
of it,"
The little widow did not look romantic.
Her complexion was a dull white and her
hair was a dull brown. Dull, too, were her
large gray eyes that blinked behind short
sighted glasses, but her form, though meagre
and devoid of curve, was not without grace,
and she had clear, sweet soprano voice,
which, though it was unframed, she coHld
use with taste and feeling. The HarmOnicum,
the Dixviile musical association, made her the
hSad Of al their committees, and relied upon
her B." s'a,. III the solos. Indeed, without
her "a .-.,. / not have existed. The wheezy
n;riats..,. a.i lch was dozen years old before
ii ,a.ss a's j!s property of the society, had
al t. r,il.!,r;cd under the energetic fingers
OF pici,ss3r Jackson Jones, who did the ac-
companying, and they were trying to buy a
piano They had given concerts, and had
oyster sUppers till Dixville was tired, when
DE-. OilapoG suggested a lecture. 1t was
whispered that the Doctor had expected the
committee to invite him to read one OF his
papers on the Semitic tongues; but if he did
he was disappointed. They corresponded
with many popular lecturers, who all de-
clinEd TO visit Dixyille on the plea OF engage
ments and the committee at last invited a
certain Professor st. Clair Smith, about
whom they knew nothing, save that he had
lectured in the neighboring villages with
acceptance, to address them. The Professor
had suddenly appeared in Dixville mounted
on a fine gray horse. The next day he was
seen TO enter the post-office with green bag
on his arm, and the gossips Immediately re-
ported that he was wealthy and had come
from Boston. He at once accepted the invi-
tation of the Harmonicum committee, and
announced that his lecture would be on the
philosophy of Art" The Westinghouse
was hired, and Mrs. Appledore with a select
few began practicing some music for the
occasion.
T4 ~, oao Loco 4ho
and Mrs. Appledore had invited her sister to
spend the day with her. Domestic duties
seemed to be just what Mrs. Phlox was
made for Her husband and her sister
usually did all her thinking. In return she
served them with her hands; but the few
notions that did creep into her round head
she clung to pertinaciously.
"The worst kind of fool is beetle
headed one" she said, after long pause,
"an' putting this and that together, Rosetta,
1 think you're preparin' with your romancin'
to be Just that kind of q one"
"I don't see how sisters can be SO unlike" !"
and Mrs. Appledore drummed a harsh ac-
compartment TO her words on the middle C
of her piano. "To be sure, you are the
oldest; but age need not make ones soul a
clod."
at would be well for you to remember
that all the advantages are not On your side,''
cried Mrs Pnlox, rising with dignity. "There
are bodies, yes, and dispositions, that are
clods," and Mrs. Phlox jerked on her calash
and went home.
The meeting g-house was full, and the next
day the DixviIle Times declared the lecture
to have been most soulful and eloquent
dissertation, but Mrs. Appledore's attention
wandered, aud she only knew that the enter
tainment was about TO be concluded by Dr.
Ollapods sonoroUs call for " "moosic."
81 am delighted" said Professor st. Clair
Smith, bowling low before her as soon as pos
siblc after the "moosic" al never heard
such delicious voice"
Mrs. Appledorc coughed behind her hand
to conceal her flattered embarrassment, and
turned q questioning look to Professor Jack
son Jones, who stood near.
"You always sing splendid" said that
gentleman, drawing himself up. 81 dare
say put you out. That flute oh.igato is a
vi IN 3o I Jp14 do