River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1884-12-25
A LOVE MATCH.

dampQen was one OF InOSe new uu-
finished places which require the
brightest of sunlight, the greatest
frame of quivering leaves to make them
at all presentable. And in the gray,
uncompromising medium Of the No
vember dusk Hampden looked dreary
enough, with the dark chimney of the
new silk mill rising out of the hemlock
woods, the staring Queen Annie depot,
the church, which bore a strong family
resemblance to child's wooden toy,
and the stone quarry to the left, which
reminded the thoughtful locker on
of a gigantic fertilization in an I'M
finished state.
"Humph" said Mrs. Medley as she
looked around her. GA queer looking
place"
Her niece Phebe was there to meet
her with box wagon and white
nosed old horse.
Folks can't always choose where
they're to live," said Phebe, who was
always in state of antagonism to Mrs.
Medley, and Hampden is good enough
for me-"
Chow is Philip? ?" asked Mrs. Medley.
philip is WE'LL" said Phebe, as she
helped the depot boy to hoist Aunt Ned
leys's trunk into the wagon.
Philip Barrow was Mrs. Nedley's TO-
vorite nephew. She had paid his bills
at school, superintendent his fortunes
and finally purchased for him share
in the new silk mills.
"He's all I've got" said Mrs. Medley,
Except Phebe, and Phebe and / never
did hitch horses together. And want
him to succeed in the world"
But within few days new claimant
had arisen to Aunt Nedley's protection
and tender consideration.
"To be sure, she is no relation to me,
said Mrs. Medley. "But her mother
was my dearest friend, and L think I
will adopt her for my sake.
And it was scarcely an hour from the
time in which she learned that Silvia
Gray was an orphan that she wrote
kind letter to the girl, inviting her to
the East for visit.
"If you like it, my dear, there need
be no occasion for your going back,
she wrote. eve are both alone.
Let US be companions to one anoth-
en-"
She had waited and waited, and no
reply had arrived, andwhile she waited
a plan had developed itself in her
mind.
"If she is her mothers daughter she
can't help being pretty" said Mrs. Ned
lev. "Phil is handsome lad. She shall
marry Phil"
And this explains Mrs. Nedley's pres
ence at Hampton.
az suppose you are still keeping
house for Philip" said she to Phebe,
as they drove along in the chill twi-
light.
NO" said Phebe, skillfully guiding
the old horse down a steep place in the
road.
"He boards, Ell ?" said Mrs. Medley.
mo he don't board, answered Phebe;
"his wife keeps house for him.
"What?" said Mrs. Medley.
"He Is married." announced Phebe,
very much in the tone in which she
might have said, ut is cold evening""
or, "the train is late"
''Philip married." remeated the old
lady married! Stop, Phebe; don't
drive a step further Turn around at
once. Take me back to the station. I'll
return to Concord"
Amt you going to see Phillip"
asked Phebe
mot if he's married." answered Mrs.
Medley, in a checked voice.
Hes got proper nice wife, pleaded
Phebe. you'll like her"
"No, I shan't!" said Mrs. Medley.
"Phiip-married. Phebe, if you don't
turn around I'll get out and walk"
Mrs Nedley's will was like adamant.
and Phebe Barrow was forced to sue
cumb to it.
And so it happened that Phebe and
the white-nosed pony arrived, solitary
and alone, at the little cottage of the
mill superintendent halt an hour later.
Phil came out into the porch, carrying
lamp in his hand.
Mrs Phil. ran after him with pink
apron tied around her trim waist, and
her brown fringe of hair blowing back
from her forehead.
"Where's my aunt?" said. Phil, as
Phoebe jumped out Didn't she
Gomez"
"She came" said Phoebe CURLY; but
she's gone back again"
"Gone back again 2"
"Yes. She didn't like it because
you've got married so she's gone back
by the 500 train"
ooh, Phil. !" cried Mrs. Barrow, who
was a round, cherry little
woman, with soft, hazel eyes and
mouth like rosebud. What shall we
do? Why didn't you consult her be-
fore you married me?"
Phil. Barrow broke into a great laugh.
my DEAR" said he, ut wasn't her
consent wanted; it was yours"
"Ohl But, Phil, she has done so
much for You"
"She's a good soul, but she's eccen-
tric," said the mill superintendent.
NO lils L nOeues anu get NOuN ten.
"I'm sure / can't eat a mouthful,
said Mrs. Phil, desparingly. and the
biscuits mixed myself; and the fried
chicken: and the White Mountain cake
oh, Phil, oh, Phil J"
Don't fret, dear" said Phil, my
Aunt Medley has missed very good
supper; that / can tell her."
"But I've hllghted your futurel" said
Mrs. Barrow, tragicaily Selling the
sugar tongs.
well go to Concord tomorrow and
see the old lady. soothed Phil. She
must surrender if she sees You WHEY"
Phebe chuckled grimlv.
That's all very we'll, said she, abut
You forget that an old lady and young
man don't look at a girl with the same
eyes.
Hold your tongue. Phebe, said the