The Red Cloud chief., 1883-05-18
HANNAH'S OFFER.

I'M tteba- Buptif't, Siit 0ottdu.
What il it?"
why, I'd like TO have Hannah's
help while the boardcrs are here" said
Mrs. Conner. And IL you'll ask her
ma 10 let her come. and tell her I'll give
twelve dollars a month, ] shall feel set
fled. II Hannah Barker won't come
Sarah Smiley will. But Sarah has to
be told everything, and Hannah, she
just sees whats to be done and does il.
Come right out about the offer. don't
want TO be thought to be asking fayors
q my neighbors' daughters; and Hannah
is practical"
Josiah Conner, who had been hoeing
the garden, put his hoe In the corner
and went into the house. He took Of
his gray flannel shirt and put on a white
one, a linen coat and n straw hat with a
blue ribbon around it. He further sac
rificed to the graces by tying his most
becoming neck-tie around his throat
under n stiff. new collar. His mother
noticed this, but made no remark. She
was rather pleased that he should be
particular for reasons which she kepttO
herself.
She watched him 90 down the road
with a certain pride. for she thought
him very good-looking, indeed. mot
the sort Of man for an old bachelor"
she thought, '.but he's five-and-thirty
Tomorrow, and ] can't see rs he's taken
a shine to any one yet"
She sighed as the thought crossed her
10 marry, his mother generally opposes
it. when he does not she is always
anxious that he should.
Hannah Barker is a capable, savin'
girl" she said to her milk-pan. as she
rubbed ii. but beauty is all Young
men ever think Of, and Hannah isn't
pretty"
And just rs these words passed her
lips Josiah entered the Bankers gate.
Mrs. Barker. a very fat and very stu
pid old lady, was sitting on the porch
Smelling peas. She had a reputation
for making a mistake whenever it was
possible. and Josiah knew il.
Likely enough, il I'm not careful,
she'll think mother wants Hannah to
help her for nothing" he said 10 him
self, $50 I'll begin in plain words that
she can't help understanding"
And then he made his bow and said:
Good morning. How is your health,
Mrs. Barker?'
"Well,' said Mrs. Barker. slowly,
cit an~'textry, but / ought to be thankful
i ant worse" Mrs. Barker thought IL
ungenteel to be too well, and always
answered in these terms to any inquir-
les regarding her health. "How's your
poor map"
There was no n less to be pitied in
the place than Mrs. COnnor; but ..your
poor ma" was u form she invariably
used in inquiring after any ones mater
nal parent.
Mother is well,' said Josiah, taking
a seat on the lower step. land she sent
me over to make an offer to Hannah"
LORI said Mrs. Barker. dropping
her handful of pca-pcds. Il want to
know"
You see we've got boarders. THEY'RE
coming up Monday" said Josiah,
twirling his straw hat, land mother
thinks Hannah beats every girl she
knows. She considers her worth more
than twelve dollars a month: but, at
the same time, l was to make her that
offer. and she'll consider it a favor il
she'll accept it."
Hannah is worth all that, said Mrs.
Barker with a sigh. I'm sure I don't
know how I'll do without her myself.
Still. l hadn't orter stand in her way. I
know; and Melissa has made all the GIN
gerbread and sponge-cake for two or
three months, and Samuel can milk the
cows"
Why, yes. I MIXED four at Sans
age" said Josiah.
II want to known said Mrs. Bar
ker. Then she added, calmly: "Idon't
know when l WAS more surprised than
by that offer YOU Jest spoke of making
to Hannah. / hadn't the least idea Il
was thought of. not for q minute: but
girls are so sly nowadays they don't
tell anything to their poor mothers.
"Oh, ii hasn't been mentioned be-
fore" said Josiah. Hannah didn't
know. Can l say it's settled?"
For all me YOU may," said Mrs..
Barker; land her poor pa don't inter
fere often, and l don't see why he
should now; but If Hannah don't know
Yet. it seems curious you should speak
to me. You'd oughter ask her first. YOU
know. 1 amt a Turk. Their poor mas
do sell them unbeknown, I'm told: but
it ant my Way"
Where is Hannah. Mrs. Barker?'
added Josiah. I'm 60 and ask her
now"
"She's down to New York, shop
ping" said Mrs. Barker, land she NAV
stay all day: most likely WiR. But to-
morrow is Sunday, and I'll have the
lamp lit in the parior, and you can talk
it over with her. I'll tell her you're
coming, and why, and all. Icouldn't
keep it to myself. But faint heart new
er won fair lady, Josiah, and nobody
couldn't expect a girls poor ma to do
their counting for UNI. you know. unless
it Was them Turk ladies the minister
spoke of, poor dears. / should think
she'd say yes. It's her first offer, only
from old Deacon Slinkins. Though
Morris Power is calling sort of irreeu-
lar|and Hannah is twenty-one. You
make your offer yourself, Josiah.
That's the way to get . wife. II YOU
want one"
Then Mrs. Barker o and went into
the house without further ceremony, and
Josiah, who had come to . sudden COM
prehension Of her mistake. stood staring
after her, quite dazed and giddy. What
should he do? Rum after her and ex-
plain? That would be 3 dreadful thing
TO do. Perhaps his mother could help
him out Of the pickle; and with this
faint hope he hurried home, and arrived
rcd in the face and utterly breathlessl
We'll Betsy Barker has put on the
cap sheaf now" said Ms. Conner.
.. But. Josiah, l wish you didn't feel 50
about it. I wish you liked Hannah.
She's . girl after my own heart"
al do like her." said Josiah. sheep
ishly. "She's . splendid girl I've
uftea thought that e ! was 2 man that !