Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-04-22
WIDOW APPLEDoRE's ROMANCE.


oil an the price of wheatl No! Emma Jane;
my life has been hundrum enough without my
ending 1t with Deacon Bliss. 1 shan't have
himi"
''Well, well, Rosetta. If you won't I don't
knows anybodys goin'ter try an make you,"
chirped plump, rosy Mrs. Phlox, looking up
from the stout blue wooden sock she was knit
ting. Il spose the Deacon thought he'd
right to ask you, SEEM it's free country.
Caleb AppledOre was q awful nice man, but SOS
the Deacon. Lone wimmen are put on. Job
WhittamOre neglects your garding, an Just see
what work you have with your fires wint\rs an
keepin' roads broke out"
''Pm not going to marry Just to have some
one tend the garden and do the chores" said
Mrs. Appledore. "Fve never found fault with
them that's dead and gone, but know what it
Is to live with person who does not care two
pins for the things do, and II l ever do marry
again it will be some one who can sympathize
with me. / can't saw swallow all 'Lias Brad
shaw says about the marryin' of souls and affini-
ties, but there's some truth In it you may de-
pend. Besides I'd IKE little romance In my
life before die"
Romance Is all well 'nuf1," said Mrs Phlox;
but you're 80 next March. Rosetta, an sech
man as Deacon Bliss don't grow on every BUSH
Bein' good prOvider an q splendid farmer.
be romantic. but they're good recommendations
In man you're tbinkjn Of marryin'. hope
you'll think twice."
IL have thought. and shant marry the dea-'
CON- 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 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,
Wi and o1n h,l zlo
sweet soprano voice which, though it was un-
trained, she could use with taste and feeling
The HarmOnicum, the Dixville musical assOcia-
ton, made her the head of all their committees,
and relied upon her to sing all the solos. In
deed, without her it could not have existed The
wheZZy melOdeOn which was dozen years old be-
fore it became the property of the society had at
last collapsed under the energetic fingers of Pro-
fessOr jackson Jones, who did the accompanying,
and they were trying to buy piano. They had
given concerts, and had oyster suppers till Dix
vile was tired. when DR.. Ollapod suggested
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 CORES
pended with many popular lecturers, who all de-
clined to visit Dixville on the plea of engage
ments, and the committee ut last invited q GER
tain Professor st. Clair Smith, about whom they
knew nothing save that he had lectured in the
neighbOring villages with acceptance to address
Dixville mounted on fine gray horse. The next
day ne was seen to enter the post office with a
green bag on his arm, and the gOssps immedi-
ately reported that he was wealthy and had come
from Boston. He at once accepted the invita-
ton of the Harmonicum committee and an
nounced that his lecture would be on the Phil
Os0phy OF Art" The meeting house was hired,
and Mrs. AppledOre with select few began prac-
tcing some music for the occasion.
1t was the afternoon before the lecture and
hrQ Am, LODI had Tod
the day with her. Domestic duties seemed to
be just what Mrs. Phlox was made for Her
husband and sister usually did all her think
ing. In return she served them with her
hands; but the few notions that did creep
into her round head she chung to pertinacously.
THE worst kind of a fool is a beetle-headed
one" she said. after a long pause, IAN put
tin this an that together, Rosetta. / think,
you're preparin with your romancin' to be
just that kind of one"
and Mrs. AppledOre drummed a harsh accom-
paniment to her words on the middle of her
piano. ITO be sure, you are the oldest; but
age need not make ones soul clod"
ut would be well for you to remember that
all the advantages are not on YOUR side" cried
Mrs. PhlOx, rising with dignity. ''There are
bodies. yes. and dispositions that are clOds"
and Mrs. PhlOx jerked on her caash and went
home.
The meeting-house was fall. and the next
have been most soulful and eloquent disser-
tation, but Mrs Appledore's attention wan
dered, and she only knew that the entertain
ment was about to be concluded by DR.. OLA
pods sOnOrous call for ''moosc"
II am delighted" said Professor St Clair
Smith. bowling low before her as soon as DOS
sible after the ''moosc." II never heard such
delicious voice"
Mrs. AppedOre coughed behind her hand to
conceal her fiattered embarrassment. and turned
a on Ion
who stood near.
You always sing splendid" said that gentle
man. drawing himself up. 81 dare say put
YOU out That flute obligato is deuced hard
thing to do. l didn't do myself justice to-
night"
You've always dragged" said Karl Leopold.
who took every opportunity to criticise the
HarmOncum doings.
Professor Jackson Jones pulled at his cravat,
and Mrs. AppedOres face was full of resent
ment.
Il never heard anything finer in Boston"
said Professor st. Clair Smith, coming to the
rescue, land suppose you know what that i'm
plies"
The night after the lecture was a yery stormy
one, and Mrs. AppledOre was slowly twisting
her hair in crinpng-pins, when the dOOr-be
rang. 81 could not endure the loneliness of the
hotel, dear Mrs. Appledore." said Professor st.
Clair Smith. making courtly bow, land have
come to beg for just one song"
The Professor was 80 far as outline and COL
oring 60, handsome man. His head was what
Is commonly called dOme-shaped His wayy
hair and silky beard were bright yellow red
and his rather large eyes were blue He sat
down in the BIG rOcking-chair, and taking a
twin on each knee. Il renew my youth in chill
dren." he cried. giving them a squeeze ''Do
YOU know the song The old times were the
best times when you and were young7'"
''Oh. yes" said the widow. nervOusly turning
over her music. "but can't say that feel so
very Old"
Dear me, what blunderer am" cried the
Professor 81 was thinking of my bOyhood
I've always hated Deing grown up. man has
so much to fetter hi; Imagination You must
have lost your husband In the frat flush of your
YOUTH"
Il did" murmured the widow forgetting that
she was 80 when the event occurred.
1.-The twins were babes"
Song succeeded song till the Professor pro-
posed duets. and Mrs. AppledOre enjoyed the
music SO much that it was midnight before she
knew it,
Two months passed away. The Professor
came almost every evening. He had hired
small house little out of town, that he might
be undisturbed. he explained, and relative had
come to keep house for hip. He did not know
how long he SHOULD remain in Dixville He was
preparing book for publication and writing
several new lectures. When his literary labors
were over he was going to take a trim some