Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1883-07-27
AT LAST.

CLOUDS OF Inc apple DOupIIS, WIN IlIo
straw hat tilted on the top Of his head,
his linen coat tluttcrlng IN the wind,
and his brow beaded with pcrsplra-
ton.
One little Blossom was following at
his heels with toy rake, smoothing
down the humps of fragrant earth; a
second was building houses with oys-
ter-shells, in the angle OF the garden
wall, while two others were engaged
I'm the wholesale manufacture OF mud
pies, at the kitchen doorstep four
dirty, happy and demoralized,
Mr.. Blossom looked hard at the
trim figure, with its neat cheap hat,
black and white checked plaid shawl
and hounccd alpaca dress.
He was Il little ncar-sighted, little
absent minded, and yet surely this
swcct-volccd, cherry checked woman
was none Of the sisters of his flock.
No" said Mr.. Blossom II can't
say that do"
Miss Minklcy smiled and colorcd
little.
TRY and thnI; back, said she, ito
the days of the Wesleyan Seminary,
on Rose River, where we rccitcd Ro-
man history in the same class, and
old DR.. Dodge heard us in rhetoric
and English literature old DIR. Dodge
who wore green spcctacles and talked
through his nose.
Mr. Blossom dropped his spade.
ITS Matty Minklcy, SAID he
But, dear me, how you've chang
cdr'
81 haven't grown amy younger, !
don't suppose" said Martha, biting
her lip. But that is Il complaint that
is common to us ALL Mr. Blossom
eyes, know | know" admitted
Paul turning red to the very roots of
his hair, us he realized what an awk
ward mistake he had made.
Time doesn't spare any of It's.
And then feeling that lac had not
bcttcred matters, he made haste to
ask
And how came YOU in Topplcton
village"
My cousins husband, Hiram Dodd,
keeps the hotel, SAID Martha.
Eve come to see about Il situation
as housckccpcr for gentleman that
Mr. DOdd knows; for I'm not above
car2ing my own living, Mr.. Blossom.
She spoke with little fuincss III
her throat for she had somehow cher
ishcd Paul Blossoms memory kindly
since those boy and girl days, and now
lac had never even asked her To Come
M
"lIc might have introduced me to
his wife. ut least, said Miss Mlnklcy
to herself ms she walked swiftly and
lightly along the green path.
That wouldn't have been too much
for old acquaintance sake.
But if he chooses to forget old
times, can only follow his example.
II woulon't have thought ii of him,
though"
And the waving pillows of the dist
ant applc-orchard swami in the disks
Of two big tears, which momcntarlly
obScurcd Miss Minklcy's bright black
eyes.
And Mr. Bosom mechanically dug
the pea bed up, planted the 'wrinklcd
marrowfats, and went INTO the house.
where his sister, middle aged spin
Stcr of u care worn aspect and a very
uncertain temper was engaged in
single combat with the children.
II declare Paul, she croakcd,
catching sight of her brother, them
children are enough totry the paticnc"
of job.
"All washed clean this morning.
and mcndcd and darncd and now
IooI, at EN-. Why. II gypsy gang
couldn't be more discrcditahlc in their
appearance.
MIR Blossom looked fccblv at the
chubby, rosy, dirty flock.
1T never used to be So when Mary
was alive, said hc.
We'll, and that's Just what | am
SAYING" said Miss Blossom tartly;
"and what | say every day IN the
week YOU ought To marry again
Yes. said Mr.. Blossom with II
sigh Il suppose ought
And by some curious link of ideas
he thought of Martha Minklcy, stand
ing out there among the apple bios
SONS, With the delicate pink color on
her checks and the old roguish spar
klc in her black eyes.
"Ccrtainly you ought" said Miss
Blossom, thinking of Hester Hcnder-
SON. the village drrsSmaker, who had
money III the bank which ought fair
ly to compensate for her Gorgon-hkc
severity of CountCnancc. - Some
one of mature age and ripeumg judg
mcnt
"Of course, of course, said the
Reverend Paul.
who would brtit her position as a
clcrgymau'S wife, and keep Your
house for YOU in Il model manner. as
il should he kept. went on Miss
Blossom, and govern your children
with discretion and mildncSS
a., H.. IL
Il believe | know the very person to
realize all these ideals.
50 do |, ~ said Miss Blossom orac-
ularly. And not hundred miles
away, either
In this very village, said Paul
Exactly" nodded his delighted
sister.
1T is certainly my duty" said Mr..
Blossom
And somehow upon this very day
OF all days, feel moved to fulfill ii. ="
And he put on his best suit, and
went Straightway To the Eagle Ho-
tel. kept by one henry Dodd and
Elvira, his wife.
lis Miss Mmkley to be SEEM" he
asked politely of Mrs. Dodd. who
came out from the kitchen with car
llllllS tHtekS, ana NlnlnS ilcf n3fluS
ON snowy rollcrtowel
"Oh, yes, | guess SO" said Mrs.
Dodd, smiling and curtseyiug to the
Clergyman. Squire Telwright has
Just been to see her but I'm pretty
sure that he has gone now. Mat,
Matty, where are YOU!
oh, she's III the blue parlor.
Please to walk in, Mr. BlnSSom.
And the Clergyman walked solemn
ly into the pretty bluecarpeted room,
with its much-waxed mahogany chairs,
gaudy-rug. and stitlly-Starched mus
lin curtains, where Martha Minkley
sat knitting.
Miss Minklcy." said he, entering
without unnecessary prelude on the
subject which was at present absorb
ing his mind, 1--WE have known each
other from childhood.
Yes, said Martha.
And | believe you to be devout
Christian, conscientious woman,
and good housekeeper.
Il hope l am, said Miss Martha,
rather fiattered by this unusual add
dress.
in nv home" said Mr. Blossom