Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1882-01-12

/ secret, " an an OlN Nhulat.
al wonder who grandmother is talking
with, said Mabel. as the lull in the clatter
of dishes brought the sound Of voices TO
their ears.
Father probably replied Bertha. 4
have not heard any one come in
mabel put her last loaf Of bread down
to rise washed her hands. took off her big
apron and appeared in the sitting room,
much to Mr. Stewards relief. just after
grandma had pledged herself to secrecy.
Mabel started in surprise when she saw the
guest.
why, Mr.. Stewart. YOU here come IN
to the parlor' Mabel led the way. leaving
interesting visit with grandma
Il think have replied the gentleman,
viping the perNpiration from his face.
she is very hard OF hearing, isn't she
"'les.' said Mabel; but she does not
think so.
IL see il is so. could not make her
understand word yet. from the answers
she gave me | saw she thought she under
stood all said to her guess she viii
conclude | have told her some strange
stories.
Never mind said Mabel. .-'she is alsays
making hunders.'
"Mcanv hile. grandma had recovered from
her speechleSs Indignation at seeing Mabel
carry off Bertha, beau to a private confer
cnce, and ~addled out to the kitchen.
Bertha, she ,quraled. taking the scrub
cloth from her hand. go right into the
parlpr; Nr Stewart there with Mabel
"'\u matter. grandma laughed Bertha.
wondering very much At her nervous frame
Of mind
IL vii finish up here. tell you. iou
~ night into the parlor
Grandma Wcut TO scrubbing. Bertha, 20
please her. went into the parlor.
Later IN the afternoon. a, the girls were
~ the kitchen getting supper, Deacon Good
man called to see Mr Porter on business
"'walk right into the sitting room.
deacon. said Mabel; father will bc IN d.
rcc,ls
$50 the deacon went in.
Arr You pretty we'll thi. spring lie
shouted TO grandma.
"'Oh, ,cs our well and spring hold out
wonderfully. though some Of the urighbors
we're plagued for water all winter. How j.
Your folk, ,
".Wc.l a. usual" nodded the deacon.
You have not got out TO meeting any TIL.
winter have You have not seen much
Of Bertha
"w,ll. She /, very steady. and industrious.
and ant always a sadd,ng. Ike some g.ri,.
Virtue J, il, own reward the writing
book used 'u ,ay. and Mabcl Will have 10
dane. In the uls trough. for .he !. two wear,
older YOU know than Bertha and ,hr /, 20
iug ia t,. married first"
..Shoo sand the deacon. looking. .ur-
pri>cd.
"le.. Ber,ha's ,oiu' To be married IN
mcr,sn' nc,' >anIA, morning To Nj. Stew
art tha''s reading lAv With Squire How ara
\ drrfu ulcr Young man hc :. too. pnpt,
a. punk Nnu be come IN here TIN. after
noon When the "a, Va, a. work IN the
Kitchen just ,ct down aud ,i-i,cd With MI
a. polite and ,l!kcd over al h., AFFAIR, lux
a, upcuhrar,rl IL, -, house all IN
gagged and thtN ar, going a. house ktrpln'
,,r, soon
~ The deacon. ear, we're all asapc to hear
further particulars. but Mr. Porter's entrance
cut shor, the garrulou, old lady. news. aul
- Mr Porter made no allu.iun 70 the com
lug event. he received no more information.
~ have heard some news. he .aid to the
family. when he got home bertha Porter
j. gong to be married
when Who to p cried the deacon's
daughter
Next SUNDAY morning in church. He
has a house a.rcal, engaged did not ask
what one. but presume IT.. the Carter house.
night next 90 the law oihcr. that's empty
now.
"'Who is Bertha going 20 marry, father >
"'Oh, forgot 10 tel! j, Is that Stewart
fellow
"'Weh. he hAs called on the gir. and
waited on them. too. said his daugh,er Hat
lie but did not suppose there was any-
thing ,criou. IL vet
".Well II appears it,, all settled The
old lady gave me full plricuiars, she seem
Ell a, pleased as a child, and told how -ocla-
bic Mr.. Stewar, was with her. Old ladies'
ike To be- noticed. YOU know
Yes and Young ladies, too said Hat
tie
When Hattie went over that evening 10
carry the dre.smaker her pint Of mhk, she
told her the news.
There must be a mistake, said Jennie,
doubifuliy
"'Oh no, there is not persisted Hattie.
for We had il right from the family. and
that explains those nice dresses the girls had
tins spring. Bertha's was pearl gray. and
Mabel's gold mixed. | thought il queer
they didn't have them alike. hut | gurs.
they thought pearl gray was more suitable
for bride
".Sure enough said Jennie Baker. i fit
ted those dresses less than month ago. but
never thought Of such thing
Miss Baker told her next customer that
Bertha was going TO be married in a pearl
gray silk. with bonnet and gloves to match.
THAT evening, while the Porter girl. we're
at PRAYER meeting. and ONLY their parents at
home with their grandma she went into the
bedroom and soon returned bringiny A
huge bandbox. large enough 10 hold score
of bonnets such as are worn nowadays.
Opening ii, she carefully took out large
old straw bonnet with faded green gauze
ribbon. Mr.. and Mrs. Porter looked on in
ouie, surprise, as she turned the ancient ar
ticle round and looked it carefully over.
"'There.' she said. I've had that bonnet
forty wears. and its lust as good as new to-
day. The strings are little soiled. but
can wash them out, and then il will be all
ready TO wear to meetin' next Sunday"
.'Grandma had not been to church for
wears. so this announcement created no lit
tie surprise