Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1884-01-03
THE WIDOW, JUNIOR.


''But the six dear little children, y said
Miss Armenia Atkins. 1.-The lonesome
doves who are so terribly in need of a
mothers care! | declare, dearest Mrs.
Pilchard, should almost be willing tc
90 out there myself, at any sacrifice o.
my personal conveniences, to watch
over those motherless darlings!'
Mrs. Pilchard dropped the stocking
she was darning, and glared at Miss Ar
menia over the top of her spectacles.
"Humphr' said she. "'If my son-in-
law, Philip Lynn, needs any one to
watch over his children, it's for me, |
guess, to provide the person.
''Of course" said Miss Armenia, with
an involuntary motion of her head, SIM
liar to that of some unwary Individual
who has unthinkingly pulled the string
of shower-bath, andiwould fain avoid
the consequences. II didn't intend
''Well, it don't matter much either
way what you intend" said Mrs. Pill
chard. my son-in-law is quite well
able, ! should imagine, to take care of
himself AS for the children, if there S
nothing else to be done with em, they
can come here and live with me-"
But Mrs. Pilchard was not fond of
children, and, as general rule, chill
dren were not fond of her,-and the
more she thought of it, the more lively
became her apprehensions lest her SON
in-law, Philip, should fall into the snare
of a third marriage.
1T will never do, said Mrs Pilchard
'Sooner than that, would go there and
live mysefih
But Mrs. Pilchard was woman who
liked her ease. The prospect of an in
different son-in-law and tribe of bois-
ferrous children did not suit her ideas ut
all. Moreover, she could not but re-
member, the last time she was at Or
chard Hill, the decided differences of
opinion that had transpired between
herself and Mr. Lynn.
''lie's dreadful set in his way" said
Mrs. Pilchard. "And, although
wouldn't acknowledge it to everybody,
there are times when | am a little
afraid of Philip!''
But the the third marriage, she men,
tally decided, must be prevented at all
hazards, in justice to her Selina's six
motherless lambs. Selma had been an
household had fallen into sad disorder.
81 must send some one there at once
to superintend things" she thought,
''or Philip will be forced, in self-de-
Tense, to marry the first pretty, silly girl
that comes in his way
And so Mrs. Pilchard sat down and
wrote to the Widow Hayden, out in
Genesee county, to proceed at once to
Orchard Hill and take charge of her
son-in-law's household
Now, the Widow Hayden was sixty,
at least, with a beard, visible traces of
n langsyne attack of smallpox, and a
nose which was set perceptibly on one
side. There was certainly no danger
that Philip would fall in love with the
Widow Hayden. And, having posted
her letter, she sent an epistle to Philip
himself, in which. after many tender
condolences, she mentioned that she
had desired n trustworthy and mature
friend to go Immediately to Orchard
Hill and assume the domestic helm for
his benefit.
Philip Lynn read the letter in dismay.
I'm have no prying old cats hele!"
was his decided opinion. IF my
mother-in-law has not yet comprehend
ed that | intend to be master in my
own house, it is high time that the
lesson was impressed upon her vener-
able mind
Mr.. Lyon was handsome, dark-faced
man of some six-and-thirty years old.
1t was true that be had been twice
wedded-once to Emily Pilchard, a
handsome blonde, who had only sur
vived their marriage a few years, the
second time to Selma, the younger sis
ter of his first wife, an intriguing, sly
natured old maid, who was worthy
daughter of Mrs. Pilchard, and whose
death, after a lingering illness, had
left him with six turbulent little chill
dren, and a general sense of WEAKNESS
and disenchantment. And, above all,
he had decided that it was absolutely
essential that he should pass from under
the calling yoke of the Pilchard family!
As he sat there il his study, trying to
read, there was the sound of general
riot and confusion everywhere. John
Augustus and Roland were fighting il
out in single combat on the back stair
way. Ellice, a curly-headed child of
four, was stealing jam from the pantry
shelves, to the great wrath and indigna-
ton of the cook. Bessie and Louise.
two elder lassies, were cutting up a
valuable damask table-cover to make
dolls dresses, and little Walter, the
two-year-old baby, lay bowling in the
grass, where he had fallen from swing
in the absence of his nurse, who was
carrying on an animated filtration with
En MI a. Ia, Il.
"What am | to do?' the widower
distractedly asked himself. Il can't
live in such q Pandemonium as this. >
AT that moment telegram was
handed him.
Meet Mrs. Hayden at II 30 express"
Mr.. Lynn jumped up and walked
once or twice the length of the room in
sort of desperation.
IL won't stand it!' he cries out. sd
will not be taken in charge by all tn,
old hays in Christendom! I'll meet thi,
woman at the depot, tone cant be rud,
even to a Gorgon so long as she bears
the type of femininity about her, bu
will tell her PLAINLY that do not de
sire her services. The Widow Hayden
Why, she is uglier than Medusa ant
older than Methusaleh! What have,
done that, like the bad little boy il
fairy-tales, should be given over bodi
ly into the grasp of an old witch?n
He could not but smile at the con
ceit, but. nevertheless, it was deepl,
serious matter to him.
John, he said TO the servant, "pu
CherokeS into the beach-cart at once.
wish to meet the 1l;S0 express from tn
West.
The 1880 came laundering in, nv
minutes behind time, but there wer
only three passengers who alighted a
the little railway station, old DR.. Dry
den, the clergyman, who had been t
Niagara Falls to attend some eccleSiaSti
cal convention; Miss Pettengill. the mil
liner, who was bringing the fall fash
ions from the city, and beautiful
young woman in black, with hair lik
lustrous gold, brilliant complexion
and large blue eyes whose dark lashe
made them appear almost black!
AT this fair apparition Mr.. Lyn
glanced doubtfully, while she, in turn
regarded him with timidly inquirin
glance.
"Can you direct me to Orchard Hi
sirp" she said, at fast.
ITO Orchard Hill?'' he rene ate,
"Why, have just driven down frol
there. Can it be possible that yo1 al
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