Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-05-20
WIDOW APPLEDORE'S Rum lKCE.

lUUW III UBDUnG ID uUW ahUD'
"a man that thinks of nothing but pep
mint oil an price of wheat No. Emma
Jane my life has been humdrum enough
without ending it with Deacon Bliss. l
shan't have him :"
"Wel, well, Rosetta, if you won't l
don't knows anybodys goin'ter try an
make you," chirped plump, rosy Mrs.
Phlox, looking up from the stout blue
wooden sock she was knitting. g s'pose
the Deacon thought he'd right to ask you,
seem it's free country. Caleb Appledore
was awful nice man, bat SOS the Deacon.
Lone wimmen are put on. Job Whitta-
more neglects your garding, an just see
what work you have with your fires win
tiers an keepin' roads broke out.
'pm not going to marry just to have
some one tend the garden and do the
chores" said Mrs. Appledore. I've never
found fault with them that's dead and
gone but l know what it is to live with a
person who does not care two pins for the
things do, and if l ever do marry again
it will be some one who can sympathize
with me- l can't say swallow all LAS
Bradshaw says about the marryin' of souls
and affinities, but there's some truth in it
you may depend. Besides. I'd like little
rom ,nce in my life before die.
Romance is all well huff, said Mrs.
Phlox but you're 80 next month, Ro-
setta, an sech a man as Deacon Bliss don't
grow on every bush. Bein' good provider,
an splendid farmer, an a deacon, an
pillar in the church may not be romantic,
but they're good recommendations in
man you're thinkin' of marryin'. l hope
you'll think twice.
81 have thought, and l can't marry the
deacon, said Mrs. Appledore decisively;
San if that's being romantic, I'm not
ashamed OF it.
The little widow did not look romantic.
Her complexion was a dull white, and her
hair was dull brown. Dull too, were her
large gray eyes that blinked behind short
sighted glasses, but her form, though
meager and devoid of curve, was not with
out grace, and she had clear, sweet So
prano voice, which, though it was I'M
trained, she could use with taste and
feeling. The Harmonicum, the Dixville
musical association, made her the head OF
all their committees, and relied upon her
to sing all the solos, Indeed, without her
it could not have existed. The wheezy mel
odeon, which was dozen years old before
it became the property OF the society, had
at last collapsed under the energetic fingers
of Professor jackson Jones, who did the ac-
companying, and they were trying to buy a
piano. They had given concerts, and had
oyster suppers till Dixville was tired, when
DR.. Ollapod suggested a lecture. 1t was
whispered that the Doctor had expected
the committee to invite him to read one of
his papers ON the Semitic tongues but if
he did he was disappointed. They cor
responded with many popular lecturers,
who all declined to visit Dixville on the
plea of engagements, and the committee at
last invited certain Professor st. Clair
Smith, about whom they knew nothing
save that he had lectured in the neighbor.
ing villages with acceptance, to address
them. The Professor had suddenly ap-
peared in Dixville mounted on fine gray
horse. The next day he was seen to enter
the Postofiice with green bag on his arm,
and the gossips Immediately reported that
he was wealthy and had come from Bos-
ton. He at once accepted the invitation
of the Harmonicum Committee, and an
nounced that his lecture would be on the
L ntlO5Upuy Vi ATl. he
was hired, and Mrs. Appledore, with a
select few, began practicing some music
for the occasion.
1t was the afternoon before the lecture,
and Mrs. Appledore had invited her sister
to spend the day with her. Domestic
duties seemed TO be Just what Mrs. Phlox
was made for. Her husband and sister
usually did all her thinking. In return
- nth ha1Io h,,f @la
few notions that did creep into her round
head she chung to pertinaciously.
"The worst kind Of fool is beetle
headed one," she said, after long pause
can putin this and that together, Ro-
romancin' to be Just that kind OF a one.
81 don tsee how sisters can be so unlike"
and Mrs. Appledore drummed harsh &C.
compartment to her words on the middle
C of her piano. "To be sure, you are the
oldest but age need not make ones soul
clod."
at would be well for you to remember
that all the advantages are not on your
side," cried Mrs. Phlox, rising with dignity.
"There are bodies, yes, and dispositions,
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. Appledore's atten.
tentioR wandered, and she only knew that
the entertainment was about to be con-
cluded by DR.. Ollapod's sonorous call for
''moosic."
81 am delighted" said Professor st.
Clair Smith. bowling 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 fattered embarrass-
ment and turned a questioning look on
Professor Jackson Jones, who stood near.
You always sing splendid" said that
gentleman, drawing himself up. 81 dare
say put you out. That little obligato is
denced hard thing to do. l didn't do
myself justice tonight.
you've always dragged" said Karl
Leopold, who took every opportunity to
criticise the Harmonicum doings
Professor Jackson Jones pulled at his
cravat, and Mrs. Appledores face was full
of resentment.
az never heard anything finer in Bos-
ton," said Professor St. Clair Smith, COM
ing to the rescue, "and / suppose you
know what that implies"
The night after the lecture was very
stormy one, and Mrs. Appledore was slowly
twisting her hair in crimping- pins, when
the door-bell rang. {" l could not endure
the loneliness of the hotel. dear Mrs. Ap-
pledore," said Professor st. Clair Smith,
making courtly bow, land have come to
beg for just one song"
The Professor was, SO far as outline and
coloring go. handsome man. His head
was what is commonly called dome-shaped.
His wavy hair and silky beard were
bright yellow red, and his rather large eyes
were blue. He sat down in the big rock
ing.chair, and taking twin on each knee,
al renew my youth in children, " he cried,
giving them a squeeze. "Do you know
e. Gong 1.-THE old times were the best