Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-03-15

you didn't want them old maids and widders
We're as thick as blackberries. an to be had for
the askin; an then when you do want them,
they can't be had no way"
III you're thinking Of Joseph" answered
Elias. deliberately. why wouldn't Priscilly Wat
rous over in East Canton, be the right one for
hmI She's widder. but she hain't got any
children, and She young and good-oOkng, SO
to speak. And she's forehanded. too. and none
SO comfortable to hum with her younger sisters
but what she'd be glad of change"
wv ny. she's the very one cried Mrs Smith
An old friend Of Hettys eldest too. an she's
visited there time an time again. an was prime
iavorite with all Of them ! shall jest have you
Lias. don't let grass grow under my feet
when I've got an idee An if he gets her." she
added devoutly. Il shall think it clear Provi-
dence that the others didn't want him. She's
worth the whole lot OF Them
Alas. for Aunt Phdlny's' hopes When next
day she aghted at Squire Watrouss door her
welcome was cordial, but there was an air of
mystery about the house That struck her at
once. Conversation tagged because Mrs. Pris-
elias mind was so evidently absorbed in some
thiIg greater than the prospects of the corn crop
ana the general prevalence of measles among
the children OF East Canton.
Has anything happened to you:" asked Aunt
fhemy. after desperate attempts to fathom the
matter by hint and suggestion.
"NO-that is-nothing-so particuar-has
happened'-with curious infection
We'll. is somethn gOin to, them" persisted
Mrs Smith. You look queer. Prissy. | should
a mose think there was a weddin' comm of:
an remember now, I did hear Caleb Walsh
was payin' attention to Jennie. Well. there
now-and the tluctuating color on Priscilla's
checks betrayed her-"yOu don't really mean
that yOu-that you"
But Mrs. Priscilla did, and before Mrs Smith
went away she had seen the wedding dress and
heard full particulars. "Yes. it is little sud-
pSnprtaDt l.rov
when bachelor makes up his mind he's usually
in hurry. It's about as bad as wdower"
Mrs. Smith groaned in spite rs she climbed
into the seat beside her husband for the ride
home. maybe we'd better go round by Jo-
sephs,' she suggested in depressed way to
him. I'D like to see how there are gettn
along"
1t had been week since Mr.. Iosephs visit,
but so much had happened to Aunt Phemy in
that time that it seemed to her much longer
Pretty Phemy ran out to meet them as they
drove up. You're coming in of course, Auntie
It's been sucn while since you We're here, and
I've SO much to tell you! And | want YOU to
see the churning did to-day. Father says I'm
getting to be famous housewife aud am
proud ust little. you know-of this butter"
But where is your father" Aunt Phemy
asked; for at that twilight hour Uncle Joe was
usually stretched at ease in chair on the back
porch.
"Oh. he's Just stepped down through the
how many pounds had, now" she added. lead
ing the way the dairy. And which discussion
of butter. new receipt for Jelly, the last honey
and the yield OF Phemy's pet COW, a half hour
and more went by before Aunt Phemy knew IT,
Her husband had stepped down to the orchard
bars. and was holding counsel with Uncle Joe's
hired man, SO that the two had the house to
themselves.
but where is Joseph" Aunt Phemy asked
again, as at last they went back to the sitting
kx, l,a
habit of going off this time OF night" she added.
regarding the tall clock, whose hands pointed to
a quarter past eight Your uncle an me must
be gettin' home It's dark Already"
II wish you wouldn't go just yet. auntie,"
coaSed Phemy. There's a new moon, and
twont make any matter if you amt home till
nine. Father I'll come soon, know and before
he gets here want to show you my new polo
nay"
SO another half-hour went by. and then. Aunt
Phemy. starting up. repeated her question with
more emphasis, Where in creation is Joseph!"
But even as she spoke the gate at the end of
the lane opened. and q minute later Uncle Joe
came up to the porch where his sister-in-law
stood waiting tor him. But as he drew near
she saw, with kind of stupefaction. that he
wore his Sunday best and had the sheepish air
OF bashul man caught in something agreeable
but slightly improper.
We'll. | wouldn't have believed nv eyes:'
cried Aunt Phemy, 81 declare to gracious if
YOU haven Deell a-courtlfl. Joseph Badger!
only hope you have had better luck than me-
If ever try again to get a, wife for man,
shall be clean daft"
ii III sorry you took so mach trouble
Phemy." Joseph said. helplessly. 81 did not
mean to put you out; and. come to think of it
that night it seemed more betttn' that
should try myself. ! was coming to tell YOU
tomorrow that it was all settled You see, |
Thought OF jest the right one that same night
came home and found her here chattin' with Phe-
my. an it came over me like flash that she was
tt.e very one, You may think her pretty young.
but her mothers coming right in to help, and
AIMS got an old head on her shoulders'
~ GU don't mean-yOu can't mean that chit of
girl, Ann Barnum? Well | never never!
Shes scarce year older than Phemy, an not q
cent to bless herself with, an her mother to
support! Well. you have done WELL Joseph
Badger"
She's good girl. an like her." answered
Uncle Joe. holding up his head as his sster-in-
law had not seen him for many a day. land
Hetty always did too. l don't know why never
thought OF 1t before, for I've often wished l
could help her in some way. She's had hard
row to hoe the last two years; an as for her age
that's mylook out. l dare say could have any
woman in Canton but
las fur as my experience goes" Aunt Phemy
interrupted, tartly, you couldn't a had no such
timing. But that's always the way it goes with
WlIo"ers; they think they can pick an choose
from all creation. Well, you might have gone
she's young aud pretty. And anyway none of
Choice