Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1882-09-28
MISS MINKLEY'S MISTAKE.

"Don't you know me ?" said Martha
Minkley.
The Reverend Paul Blossom was dig.
ging up the bed for late peas, under the
pink clouds of the apple boughs, with
his straw hat tilted on the top of his
head, his linen coat futtering in the
wind, and his brow beaded with per-
spiration.
One little Blossom was following at
his heels with toy rake, smoothing
down the Jumps of fragrant earth q
second was building houses with clam
shells in the angle of the garden wall,
while two others were engaged in the
Wholesale manufacture OF mud-pies at
the kitchen doorsteps-an four dirty,
happy and demoralized.
Mr.. Blossom looked hard at the trim
figure, with its neat chip hat, black.
Rnd-white checked plaid shawl and
nounced alpaca dress He was a little
ear.sighted, a little absent.minded,
and yet-surely this sweet. voice d, cher.
ry-cheeked woman was none of the
sisters of his flock
No." said Mr.. Blossom "I-can't
-say-that-I do"
Miss Minkley smiled and colored
little.
Try and think back" said she, "to
The days of the Wesleyan seminary on
Bose river, where We recited Roman
history in the same class, and old Doc.
tor Dodge heard us in rhetoric and
English hterature-old Doctor Dodge,
Who wore green spectacles and talked
through his noser'
Mr.. Blossom dropped his spade.
"Its Matty Minkley," said he
"But, dear me, how -ou've changedP'
II haven't grown any younger, l
suppose said Martha, biting her lip.
"But that's n complaint that is common
10 us all, Mr.. Blossom"
"Yes, I know knowi" admiSed
Paul, turning red to the very roots OF
his hair as he realized what an awkward
mistake he had made. "Time doesn't
spare any Of u.s. And then, feeling
that he had not bettersd matters, he
male haste to ask: "And how came
you in Toppleton village"
Ny cousins husband, Hiram Dodd,
keeps the hotel" said Martha. "Tvo
come to see about a situation as house.
keeper for gentleman that Mrs. Dodd
knows; for am not above earning my
own living, Mr. Blossom"
She spoke with little fullness in her
throat, for she had somehow cherished
Paul Blossoms memory kindly since
those boy-and-girl days. and now he
never even asked her to "Come in RI
HE might have introduced me to
his wife, at least said Miss Minkley to
herself as she walked, swift and lightly,
along the green path under the spread.
ing maple trees. "That wouldn't have
been too much for old acquaintance
sake. But il he chooses 10 forget old
times I can only follow his lead.
wouldn't have thought 1t OF him,
though"
And the waving billows Of the dis.
liant apple orchard swan in the disks Of
two big tears, which nom entariIy OBJ.
sCured Miss Minkley's bright, black
eyes.
And Mr.. Blossom mechanically dug
the pea bed up, planted the wrinkled
raarrowfats," and went into the house,
whore his sister, n middIe-aged spinster,
Of = care-worn aspect and a very un =
certain temper, was engaged in single
combat with the children.
"I declare, Paul" she croaked,
catching sight Of her brother, "them
children are enough to try the patience
Of Job. All washed clean this morn
ing, and mended and darned-and now
look at 'eml Why. q gypsy gang
couldn't be moro discreditable in their
appearance r.
MIR. Blossom looked feebly at the
chubby, rosy, dirty flock.
II never used to be so when Mar
vas alive" said he.
swell, and that's Just what en-
saying" said Miss Blossom, tartlY; sand
what I say every day in the week--yor
ought TO marry again
"Yes," said Mr.. Blossom, with
sigh, ~ suppose / ought"
And by some curious link Of ideas ht
thought Of Martha Minkley, standiny
Out thsro among The apple blooms
With the delicate pink color On he