Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-03-10

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and leaning his elbows upon his knees, medi-
tated. In three days he would sail, therefore
there was a necessity for prompt action.
Lets see" said Captain Tiller, thoughtful
ly "Itll be better to take a widder, guess.
Widders are more steady than tothers, and
more used to things, and wont expect any
counting and that sort of nonsense Nota
young widder, though. They are apt to be
Eighty"
Then he mused again, and decided the on
ly one he knew answering his acquisitions was
the widow Tyron. And with a slap on the
knee, as one who bad arrived at q final and
satisfactory conclusion, he arose, clapped his
sou'wester upon his head, buttoned up his
pea. Jacket and betook himself to that lady's
abode.
Good mornin widder !" said Captain
Seth a. in answer to his knock at the door,
Mrs. Tyron appeared in tidy cap and apron,
with her bare arms busted with flour, while
an appetizng odor Of cookies issued from the
comfortable kitchen.
At that smell the visitors. heart enlarged
and his nostrils expanded as those of a war
horse who hears from afsr the din Of the bat
tie.
"Why laws a.mercy is it you, Captain
Tiller Hope nothin's happened-least wise
sense Eancy's run away and got married p
That's Just it, widderl" responded the
captain, gloomily shaking his head, that's
lest what is the matter. How Nancy came to
make such fool of herself, when she'd such
a good home, andaclothes and victusls, and
the whole house to herself when I'm
away"
Now that's what l call unreasonable of
you, Capn Seth, " interrupted Mrs. Tyron, Sc
riously, taking up the cause of her sex as she
wiped the -four from her hands, and out of
respect to her visitor sat down to her knitting.
"a woman's a woman, and mustn't be expect
ed to deny herself everything for the sake
of clothes and victuals. She must hev some
body to keer for her more than brother is
likely to do. It's only nature, after all. Whatd
become of the world if everybody took to
leadin' single lives, I'd like to know ?"
"Well, l guess there's some sense in that,
widder," quoth the captain scratching his
head under his sou'wester, land I'm rayther
| reioced to hear you express such sentiments,
bein' as it'll likely help % an agreement on a
| pint I've come to propose"
"Ah !" said Mrs. Tyron, putting back the
border of her cap and pricking up her ears.
you see," resumed he in business-like
manner, "a man can't do to hum without a
woman to look around arter things. It's their
business, you know. We can't go rubbin' and
scrubbin round in kitchens aud bedrooms.
Now I've heard from Nancy that you're no.
table housekeeper and manager"
"Oh, you want me to keep house for you,
mebbe?'
About that" replied the captain, staring
steadfastly into the fire.
"What salary p
"why, wasn't Jest caleulatin' upon a sal
ary. thought we might go into partnership
together, if it's agreeable. I'm plain, bust
ness man, as you know, widder; and all I've
got to say is that if you'll be Mrs. Captain
Seth Tiller-'
'Stay minute, if you please, cap'n !" e1-
claimed the lady, hastily jumping up. II do
believe the cookies is burning"
He waited patiently while she busted herself
about the oven. Then she came back wiping
her heated face on her clean apron, and plac-
idly resumed her knitting.
"Well Widder what's the agreementT" in
| quired the sailor.
"WeI, you see Captain Tiller," she answer
| ed slowly and thoughtiully, "Pve been consid-
erin OF il while tendin' them cookies, and
I've about made up my mind that l needn't
be in a hurry TO marry again. I've had my
share of a wifes trouble, and feel like takin
a little rest to myself now, as l go downward
into the valley OF the shadder, where we'll all
tnd an everlastin' rest"
81 might perhaps, help you on the way,
you know, said the captain, argumentatively
"Pm obleeged to you" she responded with
a sigh, "but I'm pretty strong yet, thanks be
to goodness and can get along well enough
without help--leastwise for spell longer"
"Well, said Captain Tiller, slowly rising,
"if that's your resolution, needn't waste nc
more O. your valuable time about it, calcu-
late. Good moruin' widder -
Stay a mint, cap'n Wont you have
some cookies and cup of tea, afore you
go?'
mo, thank you marin. I'm obliged to you
the same. Good mornin'."
And the captain walked home and sal
down on the three-legged stool, and gazed in
to the fire as before.
The result of his Yooing had been to hin
altogether unexpected. Here was a woman
who had actually received and rejected pro
posal without giving it more than momentl
thought.
II guess she's too old and worn out, as sht
says" he cogitated 'and must look out TO
a younger widow, who'd likely not be inclin
ed to think so hard of the matter. There
Mrs. Fuller--she as was Melissy Brown, if
remember rightly. She's about thirty. Rath
er too young for my ideas; but spose
must put up with it,"
No sooner thought of than acted upon.
Miss" Fuller was in the garden, planting
hollyhock roots She wore founced calico
dress, and girlish white apron, elaborated.
ruffied, and looked, as the captain thought
like a taut-rigged schooner under full sail
For an instant his heart misgave him, thougl
he felt reassured by the gracious smile with
which he was received as the young widow
furtively adjusted her front hair beneath he
sun bonnet, and gave the latter itself co
quettish tilt on her head.
"Well, Miss Fuller, you're preparin' 70
spring, betimes, / see. Fancy garden truol
-eh 2"
'To be sure, Captain like flowers an
other pretty things. Don't you ?" answers
she, with a sidelong glance of her black eyes
"Well, 1 skeercely know" replied the cap
tain doubtfully. ITO my mind there's moth
ing prettier than"
T'Than what ?" urged Mrs. Fuller, pretend
ing to look unconscious.
THAN a net full O. fine herrins. You ough
to a seen my last load, all alive an kicking
and squirming and sparkling like-ike-
the Captain was not remarkable for a liVel
/ fancy, so he added-"like nothin but fres
herrin can squirm andsparklel" !"
The widow stopped down and grabbed at
marigold root.
| ~ hate herrings," she said.
! eyes? Well now, that's rather unfortunate
The woman that takes me must take my hel
, rims likewise"
"Who's going 10 take you ?"
I "Why, hope she amt so very far OF,
said the Captain significantly. "Leastwis'
not outside this ere gardenw
''You don't mean me 2"
q "Well, p'r'aps do mean you"
"Humph !" said the widow, with toss c
, her sunbonnet, and a short laugh "Well,
I must say this is queer way to come cour
!. ing!"
TOh !" said the suitor, little crestfallel
a 81 don't set up 70 be much in the courtin' Lin
! like the young sparks hereabout. You {
j me amt either of us chickens, you know, Mr.
) Fuller; so we can arrange sensible like will
a out any nonsense o. that kind"
i Arrange what ?" inquired the lady, hasl
ing her black eyes rather ominously upon Il
/ Captain.
"Why, about our marriage, you know"
'As if would have youw she burst fort
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