Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-08-02
AT LAST.

straw hat tilted on the top of his head,
his linen coat futtering in the wind,
and his brow beaded with persplra-
ton
One little Blossom was following at
MS heels with q toy rake, smoothing
down the Jumps of fragrant earth;
second was building houses with oys-
ter-shells, in the angle Of the garden
wall, while two others were engaged
in the wholesale manufacture OF mud
pies, at the kitchen doorstep all four
dirty, happy and demoralized,
Mr.. Blossom looked hard at the
trim figure, with it's neat cheap hat,
black and white checked plaid shawl,
and founced alpaca dress.
He was a little near-sighted, little
absent-minded, and yet surely this
sweet-voiced, cherry woman
was none of the sisters of his flock.
No" said Mr.. Blossom; Il can't
say that | do"
Miss Minkley smiled and colored a
little.
TRY and think back, said she, to
the days of the Wesleyan Seminary,
on Rose Rivel, where we recited 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 talked
through his nose.
Mr. Blossom dropped his spade.
It's Matty Minkley," said he.
But, dear me, how you've chang
cdr
I haven't grown any younger, L
don't suppose" said Martha, biting
her lip. "Butthat is a complaint that
is common to us all, Mr.. Blossom"
YES, 7 know knOwm admitted
Paul, turning red to the very roots of
his hair, as he realized what an awk-
ward mistake he had made.
Time doesn't spare any of us.
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 the hotel, " said Martha.
I've come to see about situation
as housekeeper for a gentleman that
Mr. DOdd knows; for I'm not above
earning my own living, Mr.. Blossom. g."
She spoke with a little fulness in
ished Paul Blossoms memory kindly
since those boy and girl days, and now
he had never even asked her to Come
inr'
HE might have introduced me to
his wife, at least, said Miss Mlnkley
to herself, as 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.
L wouldn't have thought it of him,
though"
And the waving pillows of the dist
ant apple-orchard swan in the disks
of two big tears, which momentarily
obscured Miss Minbley's bright black
eyes.
And Mr.. Blossom mechanically dug
the pea-bed up, planted the ''wrinkled
marrowfats," and went into the house,
where his sister, a middle-aged spin
ster of a care-wOrn aspect and very
uncertain temper, was engaged IN
single combat with the children
L declare, Paul, she croaked,
catching sight of her brother, them
children are enough to try the patience
of Job.
All washed clean this morning,
and mended and darned-and now
look at EN-. Why, a gypsy gang
couldn't be more discreditable in their
appearance"
''NIr. Blossom looked feebly at the
hubby, rosy, dirty flock.
1t never used to be so when Mary
woe, olive > aid ba
well, and that's Just what [ am
saying" said Miss Blossom tartly !;
and what [ say every day in the
Yes" said Mr.. Blossom, with a
sigh, L suppose [ ought.
And by some curious link of ideas
he thought of Martha Minkley, stand
ing out there among the apple-blos-
SONS, with the delicate pink color on
her cheeks and the old roguish spar
kle in her black eyes.
Certainly you ought, said Miss
Blossom, thinking of Hester Hender-
son, the village dressmaker, who had
money III the bank which ought fair
~ to compensate for her Gorgon-ike
severity of countenance. Some
one of mature age and ripening judg-
nent."
"Of course, of course" said the
Reverend Paul.
WHO would befit her position as a
clergyman's wife, and keep your
house for you in model manner, as
it should be kept" went on Miss
Blossom, and govern your children
with discretion and mildness."
Eyes, to be sure" said Mr.. Blossom.
L believe | know the very person to
realize all these ideals"
80 do l." said Miss Blossom orac-
ularly. 'tAnd not hundred miles
away, either
"in this very village" said Paul.