The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1882-03-02


making her Industrious Knitting Deedle'
fash. durugs morning call At the farm
house
They say good many things, calmly
returned Mrs EAsimsn, roly poly little
woman, who WAS making squash pies Will
the baby tied 10 her apron strings.
Yes, 20 be sure, but then, Use seen
enough myself TO make me pretty sure
that there was goings on between EN-, and
/ thought, seein as you was membsr oi
our church. twas my duty TO warn you.
Warn me against whaty said Mrs. East
man, with flush that resembled anger in
her pallid little face,
Why, against Joe Carlton. Of course. Is
he the kind Of husband you'll like to see
jined TO your only daughter-your own
little eve lamb2 He boarded with US
when he kept school here, You know; aud
| knew him root and branch. A more
goddess, self,suiiicient young man ! never
saw. He used TO kinder shige mp TO me,
but you may be sure ! didn't encourage
his attentions,
Indeed, said Mrs. Eastman, with queer
little smile was thinking that you used
to praise him very highly at one time,
Cousin Jane; and that you were sure he
was a Christian if be didn't belong TO
church
Here th. conversation was interrupted.
for sleigh came dashing up to the door,
and the gentleman in question appeared
in quest OF Miss Jennie.
1t was such splendid morning that a
party Of young people-his friends over at
Stamford had suddenly started sleigh
ing party. They were going to drive to
East Fairfield. distance Of twelve miles
or SO, have supper and dance at the ho
tel, and then drive home again by moon
light Would she 80?
| Mrs Eastman hesitated. She preferred
the Young minister, who was very anxious
concerning the state OF Jennie's mind, and
ent home with her from the last evening
meeting, and in spite of herself, she was
somewhat influenced by Miss James talk.
But she was very fond OF her bright, pretty
daughter; she gave her consent with lit
tie reluctant sigh.
In ten minutes Jennie was ready for her
ride and away the happy couple flew, the
music OF their jubilant bells having very
lengthening effect on Miss James saffron
colored face. She remained some time af'
ter they were out of sight and hearing,
giving Mrs. Eastman more warnings on
the same subject, aud succeeded at last in
making that lady dimly aware of the error,
of her ways in allowing Jennie to make ono
of that sleighing party.
He's an awful flirt as ever was, and has
been goin' with that girl and this one ever
since Jennie was baby in her cradle. As
for ma and me, we don't ever invite him
into our house, we don't think it proper to
shelter such person under our roof even
for half an hour, said Miss Jane as she
rose to 90, and have further talk on the
subject with Mrs. Deacon Sparks.
And Mrs. Eastman thought, Oh, if
Jennie could only fancy the minister. He
is pleased with her, I'm sure.
But away on the shining road, Jennie
was in a perfect dream of bliss beside her
handsome lover
The supper at the hotel was charming;
the dance delightful; the ride home in the
clear, still moonlight more enchanting
than anything ever known out of dream.
land. 1t was twelve by the village clock
when Jennie reached home, and her
mother, who had been sitting up to tell
her that the minister had called on her
that evening, and she had told him she
had gone to drive with an old friend, and
80 on, was asleep in her chair, and dream
ing that Joe Carlton was wolf, and was
going to eat her cherished daughter.
One week from that day was st. Valen
tines Day. 1t had been q stormy week,
and rather long and dreary to Jennie,
since she had neither Ueen or heard from
Joe during that time; but it was the fash
ion for gentlemen to send valentines to
their lady loves, in Cnmptsn aud the
region round about, and on St. Valentines
morning, as soon as she opened her.eyes.
-, III Intf Of rtSt
She was so absentminded, that when She
dressed the baby, she put his stockings on
his hands instead OF his feet and, at the
breakiast-table, prepared her fathers cof
fee with salt instead Of sugar. Her mother
understood the state OF affairs, and regard
ed her with wistful sadness, and the boys
teased her until she was glad at length TO
make her escape out of the room.
Farmer Haynes, who lived at the cross
roads, and was the possessor OF a house
full Of pretty daughters, passed by bright
and early on his way to the post Office, of
course, and he always took it upon him.
self TO bring the Eastman mail as well as
that of his own family, liking to stop and
have bit OF friendly gossip, with his
neighbor. Jennie could hardly wait for
his return. and left her work every other
moment to gaze outof the window in the
direction Of the village.
But at last be came, bearing in his hand,
beside the numerous letters slowed away
Ia his pocket, the Weelfy Argus, letter
for her father, from Uncle John, who lived
In the West, and one for Jennie, also, in
such queer envelope, an old-fashionsd,
awkward. eramped hand There were two
red.and green turtle doves. apparently
cooling at each other. in one corner Of it,
and /, was vey much soiled and crumpled.
Jennie actually blpshed at Joe's bad taste
aud wondering how be could have sent her