The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1883-10-31
AT LAST.

AT LAST.
Don't you know me?' said Mar
tha Minkley.
The Rev. Paul Blossom was dig
ging up bed Of late peas, under the
pink clouds Of the apple bougbs,
with his straw hat tilted on the top
of his head, his linen coat f1uttering
| in the wind, and his brow beaded
with prespiration.
Ore little blossom was following
at his heels with a toy rake, smooth
ing down the Jumps OF fragrant
earth: a second was building hous,
es with oyster shells, in the angle OF
the garden wall, while two Others
were engaged in the wholesale man
ufacture of mud pies, at the kitchen
door step, all four dirty, happy and
demorallzed.
MIR. Blossom looked hard at the
trim figure, with his neat. cheap hat,
black and and white checked plaid
shawl and hounced alpaca dress.
He was a little near sighted, a lit
tie absent minded, and yet-surely
this sweet voiced, cherry checked
woman was none of the sisters of his
flock. :.
No said Mr.. Blossom, L can't
say that l do
Miss Minkley smiled and colored
a little.
TRY and think back, said she, to
the days of the Wesleyan Seminary,
on Rose River, wherewe reclted Ro-
man history in the same class, and
old DIR. Dodge heard us in rhetoric
and English literature, old DR.. Dodge
who wore green spectacles and talk
ed through his nose
Mr.. Blossom dropped his spade.
It's Matty Minkley,' said he, ex-
citedly.
But, dear me, how you've chang
ed
I haven't grown any younger, |
suppose said she, biting her lips.
But that is complaint common to
us ALL
Yes, / know know admitted
Paul, turning red to the very roots
of his hair as he realized what an
awkward mistake he had made.
Time doesn't spare any OF US, he
said.
And then feeling that he had not
bettered matters, he made haste to
ask:
And how came you in Toppleton
village?'
MY cousins husband. Hiram
Dodd, keeps hotel said she smil-
ingly.
I've come to see about situation
as housekeeper for gentleman that
Mr.. Dodd knows, for I'm not above
earning my own living
She spoke with little fullness in
her throat, for she had somehow
cherished Paul Blossoms memory
kindly since those boy and girl days
and now he had never even asked
her to come In.
He might have introduced me to
his wife, at least, said she to herself.
as she walked swiftly and lightly
along the green path.
That would't have been too much
for old acquaintance sake.
But if he chooses to forget old
times. can only follow his exam
ple.'
'I,wouldnt have thought it of him,
though
And the waving billows of the dis
tant apple orchard swan in the disks
of two big tears, which momentarily
obscured her bright, sparkling black
ewes.
And Paul mechanically dug the
pea bed up, planted the 'wrinkled
marrowfats,' and went into the
house, where his sister, middle
aged spinster of care worn aspect
and very uncertain temper, was
engaged in single combat with the
children.
Il declare, Paul. she croaked,
catching sight of her brother, them
children are enough to try the pa
tience of job
All washed clean this morning,
and mended and darned-and now
look at 'em. Why, d Gypsy gang
couldn't be more discreditable in
their appearance
Mr.. blossom looked feebly at the
chubby, rosy, dirty flock.
1T never used to be so when Mary
was alive, said he.
We'll, and that's Just what | am
thinking about said she, tartly
and what 1 say every day in the
week-you ought to marry again,
Paul
Yes said he, with sigh, 4 sup
pose l ought
And by some curious link of ideas
be thought of Martha Minkley,
standing out there among the apple
blossoms, with the delicate pink
color on her cheeks and the old
rougish sparkle in her jet black
eyes.
Certainly you ought said his sis
ter, thinking of Hester Henderson,
the village dress maker, who had
money in the bank, which ought
fairly to compensate for her Gorgon-
like severity of countenance. Some
one of mature age and ripened judg-
ment.'
'Ot course, OF course, said the Rev.
Paul.
who would benefit her position
as clergyman's wife, and keep your
house for you in a model manner,
as it should be kept. she went on,
and govern your children with dis
erosion and mildness.'
L. IL D.,,1 -