Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1883-11-22

self.
Mr.. Wiggin smiled in complacent
anticipation of acceptance; indeed if it
might not seem like reproach to the
memory of his lost Olive l should say
the kind hearted man rejoiced in this
opportunity of making Miss Dolly's
happiness. Benevolence was IN his
face, benevolence was in his spirit as
he sailed forth at an early day to ac-
quaint her with her good fortune. The
broken harrow which he had strapped
into the wagon to give the neighbors
plausible reason for his trip to the
Falls. was by no means typical of men,
tai laceration to its owner. His feel
ing as he approached Miss Dolly's
moss.grown cottage was purely one OF
thankfulness that it was IN his power
to provide her a better home Not
that he was grateful to his dead wife
for leaving vacancy there. Mr.. Wig
gin had mourned faithfully for Olive
year and a day.
Miss Dolly was out In the garden
gathering catnip. She mad built g
chip fire under the tea kettle and then
whisked off to pick an apronful of the
pungent leaves while the water was
boiling There she was STOPPING be.
meath the caves of a log. sun.
bonnet. and humming a lively tune
when Mr.. Wiggin drove up.
"'Come, my beloved, haste away"
piped Miss Dolly, cheerily, swapping
away briskly atthe stalks.
"'Cut short the hours of thy delay:
Fly like youthful"
Fly like youthful" struck in
a wheezy bass.
The sun bonnet tipped back like a
cart body.
'Sakes alive!" cried Miss Dolly, not
in the words of the hymn, as Mr..
Wiggin strobe toward her on his
slightly rheumatic legs.
Il didn't mean to put you OUT he
laughed, shaking hands heartily;
"but it seemed kind o natural to take
part with you in Invitation. ~
"You always had a way in falling
in at the most unheard of time, | re-
member retorted Miss Dolly saucily,
recovering herself and going on gath
ering catnip.
"You used to say l kept good time,
only too much of it." pursued Mr..
Wiggin, with sudden inspiration;
"but l tell you what, Dolly, time new
er did drag with me more than it does
these days"
at is dull season." said Miss Dol.
ly with exasperating simplicity. ~
suppose the grasshoppers have eaten
most of your wheat-haven't they
so It'll hardly pay for reaping?"
Just So" assented Mr.. Wiggin dis
comftted.
He had not travelled five miles in
the heat to discuss the state of the
crops.
"Walk in and sit down, won't you?"
said Dolly, with reluctant hospitality.
Her apron was crammed to its Ut
most capacity. She devoutly wished
it had been larger.
"Well, yes, don't care if l do
answered Mr.. Wiggin, after hypo-
critical show of hesitancy. II had a
little business further on at the black
smiths, No, hurry, though, as l
know" and he turned to let down
the bars for Miss Dolly who meanwhile
slipped through the fence, catnip and
all. "Bless my heart l don't see
but you are as smart as you ever was, "
said he, admiringly, as he puffed
along in her wake. Still you must
be getting into years, Dolly, as we'll as
mo offence, hope-and 1 was won.
dering whether or no it wasn't lone
some for you living here a woman
so?n
"Oh, | never was one OF the lone
some kind" responded Miss Dolly,
briskly, seating her guest in the patch
work cushioned rocking chair, "and
for that matter hardly day passes
without some Of James folks running
in."
"Yes, know; but if you was to
change your situation, wouldn't you
enjoy life better, think?"
Miss Dolly fiidgetted at the green
paper curtains and intimated that her
happiness would be complete if the
grasshoppers would stop feeding on
her garden sauce.
That's just it, continued Mr.. Wig.
gin, eagerly; "you do seem to need a
man to look out for your farming In,
terests, now don't you, Dolly? a man
that will be ready and willing to do for
you, and make you comfortable?"
81 don't know" said Miss Dolly dryly,
"The year father died did have ST.
las Potter, and he is the most faithful
creature living; but what with the ex.
ira cooking and washing l had to do
for him, my work was about double,
and when nud-time came l was glad
to send him off and hire by the day.
l made up my mind that men folks
around the house cost more than they
come to-"
II guess we don't understand one
another" said Mr.. Wiggin, slightly
disconserted at this unhattering view