Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1882-05-04
WIDOW APPLEDORE'S ROMANCE.
BY ELIZABETH CUMMINGS.

BY ELIZABETH CUMMINGS.
"a man that thinks of nothing but
pep'mint oil and the price of wheat! No
Emma Jane; my life has been humdrum
enough without my ending it with Dea.
con Bliss. l shan't have himp
well, well, Rosetta, if you won't l
don't knows anybOdv's goin' ter try an
make you," chirped plump, rosy Mrs
Phlox, looking up from the stout blue
wOOlen sock she was knitting. ~ s'pose
the Deacon thought he'd right to ask
you, seein' it's free country. Calel
Appledore was a awful nice man, but
SOS the Deacon. Lone wimmen are put
on. Job Whittamore neglects your gard.
ing, an just see what work you have
with your fires winters an keepin' roads
broke Oat."
"Pm not going to marry just to have
some one to tend the garden and do the
chores" said Mrs. Appledore. "Ive nev.
er 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 if ever do
marry again it will be some who can
spmpathiZe with me. can't say swal-
low all 'Lias Bradshaw says about the
marryin' of souls and atfinities, but
there's some truth in it you may de-
pend. Besides, I'd like a little romance
in my life before die"
Romance is all well 'nuff," said Mrs.
Phlox, but you're thirty-nine next March,
Rosetta, an sech man. as Deacon Bliss
don't grow on every bush. Bein' a good
provider, an a splendid farmer, an a
deacon, an piller in the church may
not be romantic. but they're good re-
cOmmends in man you're thinkin of
marIyin'. hope you'll think twice"
81 have thought, and shan't marry
the deacon" said Mrs. Appledore, deci-
sively; an if that's being romantic I'm
not ashamed of it"
The little widow did not look roman
tic. Her complexion was a dull white,
and her hair was dull brown. Dull,
too. were the large graz. eyes that blink
ed behind short-sighted glasses, but her
form, though meager and devoid of
curve, was not without grace. and she
had clear, sweet soprano voice which,
though it was unframed, she could use
with taste and feeling. The HarmOni-
cum, the Dixville musical association
made her the head of all their commit
tees, and relied upon her to sing all the
solos. Indeed, without her it could not
have existed. The wheeZy melodeon,
which was dozen years old before it be-
came the property of the society, had at
last collapsed uuder the energetic fin
gers of Prof. Jackson Jones, whe did
the accompanying, and they were trying
to buy piano. They had given con-
certs and had oyster suppers till Dix
vile was tired, when DR.. OllapOd sug-
gested lecture. 1t was was whispered
that the Doctor had expected the COM
mittee to invite him to read one of his
papers on the Semitic tongues; but if he
did he was disappointed.
They correspOnded with many popu-
lar lecturers, who all declined to visit
Dixville on the plea of engagements,
and the committee at last invited a GER
tain Professor st. Clair Smith, about
whom they knew nothing save that he
had lectured in the neighbOring villages
with acceptance, to address them. The
Professor had suddenly appeared in
Dixville mounted on fine gray horse.
The next day he was seen to enter the
Postoffice with green bag on his arm,
and the gossips Immediately reported
that he was wealthy and had come from
Boston. He at once accepted the invita-
tion of the Harmonicum Committee and
announced that his lecture would be on
the philosophy of Art" The meeting
house was hired, and Mrs. Appledore
with select few began practicing some
music for the occasion.
1t was the afternoon before the lee
ture, and Mrs. Appledore had invited
her sister to spend the day with her.
Domestic duties seems to be just what
Mrs. Phlox was made for. Her husband
and sister usually did all her
thinking. In return she served them
with her hands ;but the few notions that
did creep into her round head she clung
to pertinaciously.
"The worst kind of a. fool is beetle
headed one" she said, after long pause,
San putin this an that together. Roset-
ia, think you're preparin' with your
romancih' to be just that kind of one" +"
Il don't see how sisters can be SO un-
like" and Mrs. Appledore drummed
harsh accompaniment to her words on
the middle G of her piano. "TO be sure,
YOU are the oldest; but age need not
make ones soul clod."
at would be we'll for you to remem-
Der that all the advantages are not on
your side," cried Mrs. Phlox, rising with
dignity. There are bodies, yes, and dis
positions that are clOds," and Mrs. Phlox
jerked on her calash and went home.
The meeting house was full, and the
next day the Dixville Times declared
the lecture to have been most soulful
and eloquent dissertation, but Mrs. Ap-
pledores attention wandered, and she
only knew that the entertainment was
about to be concluded by DIR. Ollapod' s
sonorous call for "moosic."
Il am delighted" said Prof. st. Clair
Smith, bowing low before her as soon as
possible after the "moosic,' 81 never
heard such delicious voice."
Mrs. Appledore coughed behind her
hand to conceal her flattered embarrass-
ment, and turned questioning look on
Prof. Jackson Jones, who stood near.
"You always sing splendid" said that
gentleman, drawing himself up, al dare
say put you out. That flute obligato
is deuced hard thing to do. ! didn't
do myself justice tonight"
you've always dragged" said Kari
Leopold, who took every opportunity to
criticise the Harmonicum doings.
Prof. Jackson Jones pulled at his era.
vat, and Mrs. Appledore's face was full
Of resentment.
| 81 never heard anything finer in Bos