The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1882-09-28
HoBsON,S CHOICE.

6mlLn was oaylnI, her NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. psOoCu
in air, you'd ought to get married. Girls
are all very well, but they can't provide for a
man like a wife, and, besides, Phemy can't
stay with you always. Piilander Dunn is nigh
about tired waiting for her now, and 1t amt
right to keep young folks apart SO. You'd
ought 10 be married"
Uncle Joe Badger tipped his chair back to a
more comfortable angie, and BOXED abstract
edly at his boots. lie was tall AMI lank, and
not at all goodlooking; but very few people
were that in West Can on, and as owner oil the
Badger farm. h. felt able to dispense with 9th
er claims to regard. Besides, good looks be-
ionged to Young people, and Uncle Joe did
not deny his half-ccntury of experience.
Well" he said, slowly, u s'pose youre
about right, Phemy." He sighed as he spoke,
but it was not all in memory of the wife of his
youth. Partly also the Difficult les involved in
the choice OF her successo depressed his soul.
He was q shy man and he dreaded The need III
prcliminaries.
You've waited a proper time" Aunt Phe-
my went on. answering that half of the sigh
which referred TO her sister; and I'd be the
last one to want You to marry in unbecomin'
haste. .Hetty was u good wife, and it amt
likely you can find her match in Canton: She
was jest the chipperest woman about a house
] most ever sec, an she'd be the last person
to want You unhappy for lack of some one in
her place"
swell, that's So" Uncle Joe assented, with
a shade more animation; an / remember now.
Jest about a week before she died, she said
suthin' like that. But l didn't see no call 30
take it serious then" He sighed again, look
ing out from the broad porch where they sat,
past the wheat-licld and woodland TO the de-
serted grave yard on the hill. Even at that
distance one could see the glimmer of the
whit stones in the sunshine.
"Did she speak of any one in particulars"
Aunt Phemy asked. SHE was always fond Of
C nthy Bascom, | know. She told me once
she thought Cynthy ID make such a good step
mo herr
s.rhere's no call to talk of a step MOTHER
Uncle Joe returncd,n with Harrit an jose
ph ne settled in homes of their own out West,
and Piiemy all ready to be married."
Evidently his fancy was not caught by Gym
thy Bascom's virtues. Aunt Phemy saw it
and vccred at once. ".Well, that's true enough
an il Cynth is smart she's not much to speak
of in looks. Now there's the widder Hood;
she's full as spry, an she's iine-appearin'."
t'I'ut she's got children"
"Only one to home. Dan provides for him
self now, aa' the,'d neve- be no expense to
you, for THEY'VE got money comm from their
grandfather
Il don't b1ieve Hctty II like a widler,n
Uncle Joe said, falling back now, as in her
life, behind her apron 'tShe was always sot
aginst widders marryin' aSin, leastways if they
had children"
swell, there's Corn@ely Bugbee; she's suita-
Bile for age, turned forty, Iknow, an a MASTER
hand to work. She'd manage the farm for you
an take care of you eff you got Town with
rheumatic agin. AM you know the doctor
said you was liable to another attack any time.
It's YOUR dooty to think of that, Joseph
sYes, but Corneely, now-ain't she ruther
-sor er-old-and domineering, SO to speaker
ventured Uncle Joe. meckly.
''There's Jane Hotchkiss, but she's sort o.
shiftless; never gifts her washin' out before
noon. Ar Diodeny Barnes, she's too young.n
'Why, l dunno" answered the other, doubt
fully. .sShe must be nigh on to thirty-seven
or SO amt shcf'
swell, | shouldn't wonder if she was,' his
adviser remarked, after-a minutes pause 10
think the matter over. "But she amt very
healthy. Now let me see."
For in truth the field was narrowing. West
Canton was full of spinsters and widows, and
Joseph Badger could certainly pick and choose.
Blu even he could not be too critical. Aunt
Phemy saw the need of a little diplomacy, and
took her cue from his last remark.
THERE'S Maria Stone, il you wan some one
younger. Or Abby Stebbins, though I'm free
to confess she'd never b. my ch'ice.'
Now, always thought well of Abby, and
so did Hetty. She said once she thought she'd
be happier if she had a husband. AM Maria's
took good care of her old father, you known
swell" answered Aunt Phemy, sit amt a
wife for me Pm a selectin', an if you fancy
Maria or Abby, it's your own business. But
hope you'll make up your mind right off,
Joseph. Widowers amt expected to shilly.
shally. Everybody knows what they're after
the first time they come, an you might as well
say it straight out. Jest git yourself ready
come Sunday night, an go see one of 'em, an
and threshin' You couldn't have u bet Ell
time"
But from this awful proposal Uncle Joe re-
coiled. lie was willing to marry if his sister
fn-law thought best; but he took such alarm
at the mention of the needful steps toward il
that at last, in sheer pity, Aunt Phemy volun.
tcered to see the elect lady, and sound the
matter for him. In consideration of thai
favor, Uncle Joe lefy the selection pretty mucl
to her.
'tJest which you think best, Phemv,n he
repeated, anxiously, as he rose to go. "a
dunno as Pye a mite o. choice myself"
Blu Aunt Phemy had, and when next day
she put on her sun-b lnnet, took her knitting
and dropped in for a friendly call IN Mis-.
Maria Stone, it was with a peculiar purpose,
1t was a plain indication of Providence, to hel
mind, that the Stone would lot adjoined the
Badger farm, since Uncle Joe's own s'piece O
timber" was nearly cut away. EIer father wa,
old and partly helpless from a stroke of DaraIy
sis: There were but the two daughters, ant
nothing seemed easier than that Prudence, til,
younger, should take her sisters place WheI
Maria went to a home of her own And Mari,
was a famous manager. She could run boil
homesteads IL she chose; and Mrs. Smith, be
n~eyolent'y arran ring the affair. felt quite sur,
In Der own mind that she would.
.i1sS Maria WAS tall, angular, hOmely. II
would not have seemed wildly uncharitable t.
suppose these the reasons why at the ripe ag,
of forty-two she was still unmarried. Rut IN,
lady herself always remarked, Significantly
when approached on on the subject, that ever
woman had her chances, and the lucky one
were those that never had cause to regre
themla Pythian .utterance which ALWAYS 81
fenced inquiry. She received Aunt Phemy a
cordially as the reserved fashions of the hous
permitted, and good Mrs. Smith thought thi
favorable omen.
81 was sayin' only yesterday to father wha
a time it was sence we'd had a visit from you
Now just set down and lake off your things
and spend the afternoon. Father I'll be s,
pleased to see you'll Shut up as we've BEEF
the last three months it does one a sight O
good to see some company"
Why, | dunno,n Aunt Phemy hesitated
modestly. I" only jest dropped in; but senc
you're SO urgent No, no. III Jest drop m
bonnet off here" (resisting Miss Maria,s al
tempt to take it). He's gone to mill to day
an the WANT nobody but the cat to hum. /
seemed sort o. lonesome, an set me thiIkin
OF you. LIS been along spell seuce l see you
An how is your father? He don't git over hi
stroke, Ihear.n
80, he's a good deal better of it. He set
up most all day now, and he gets out abou
the farm some. He's down in the south 10
now with Prudy, but he'll be back soon. H
likes to keep an eye on things himself"
swell, you do hev your hands about full
don't you, Miss Stone?" began Mrs. Smith
who, considering the absence of the others
favorable dispensation of Providence, rattle
hurried to her mission. 1.-THE folks wouldn'
know what to do without you. But it's
little confnin', to my thinkin,' for a woma
like you. Ye'd ought to git out more.
source ever see you to meetin', an you don
know what you lose. Parson Bellows give u
apowerful sermons last Sunday"
NO. can't git out much" Miss Maria ar
swered, and Aunt Phemy fancied a little sac
uess in her look and tone. her seems t
need me most all The time, and there's a goo
deal to see to about the farm. Joel is homes
and faithful, but he hain't much head, and q
course, being the Oldest, 1 take most of tn
care of ihings."
SNOW l should think" venture Aun
Phemy, "Prue an you'd take turns SEEM t
things an takin' care o. your father. 70
could git ut more then. an it 'ud sort o. di
vide eQual-cares am pleasures, as the hymn