The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1885-09-17
ROSA'S EXPERIMENT.

"Dear me-" said Mr.. Pitcher, 'what
are our gals 50 dressed up for? Aint
it washing day?'
"Hush, father!" said his thrifty wife.
They're expecting company. The
Widow Rollins is coming to wash to-
day."
Mr.. Pitcher whistled softly.
"Phew-wl" said he. "ln my young
days we didn't hire woman at seven
ty-five cents day when we had good
stout arms of our own"
Things change. father" said bis
wife, hurriedly.
mot always for the better, though"
remarked the good farmer as he got
into his one-horse wagon and drove
away.
Dear me-" said Rosa, "what start
that gave meV'
Just like pap' said Fanny. cal
ways coming in when we least expect
him"
Hes out of the way now," said
Mrs. Pitcher, peeping over the top of
the big geranium in the window. -
"And he won't be back until dinner
time"
"Do you suppose heHbe along soon," "
said Rosa,
How is a body to TELL" retorted
Fanny, rather impatiently.
"Oh, Fanny, I'm afraidr' faltered
Rosa, "You take my place, wont you
He'll never know that it wasn't you
who wrote the letter."
Rosa, what child you are!" said
Fanny, with the calm superiority that
belonged to her two years Of seniority,
Don't you see that it will never do fol
you to change your mind now?'
81 wonder if he's handsome?" Oh
served Rosa, with a little excited gig.
gle. ''Ma, there's the apple-sauce
boiling over on the stove. 1t will be
horrid to have the house filled with
the smell of cooking"
Burnt apple-sauce never yet hur,
anybody" said Mrs. Pitcher. as sht
made haste into the kitchen, where tht
Widow Rollins was just getting tht
clothes into the blueing water.
"Oh, DEAR" said Rosa, 81 am in suct
twitterationl l almost wish, Fanny
that we hadn't answered that adver
tisement."
"lt's too late to think of that now,
said Fanny. There he comes thi
minutep'
"Where?" cried Rosa, divided be
tween her extreme curiosity to see tn
man who had advertised for wife il
the columns of the Fairoie,0 Count!
Journal, and the instinct that bade he
hOO w UlC lCulCoU COll SlOoCt
"He is handsome!" whispered she.
"And he has got his valise will
him." said Fanny.
LAR cried Mrs. Pitcher. 81 won
der if he expects to be asked to stay !?
"Isn't he dressed genteel?' sal
Rosa. all in glow with excitement
"Ma, you go to the door. l feel as if
couldn't stir STEP"
The Misses Pitcher had, in way
taken the thread of fate into their ow
hands. In neighborhood like Fair
view Centre, where there were at leas
five girls to every eligible young mar
they felt that it was necessary to bs
stir themselves in order to get married
And thus considering, Rosa, tn
younger, had boldly answered matr
monial advertisement.
Mr.. Pitcher was kept in ignoranc
The girls were morally certain tn;
pa" would disapprove of their ne
departure-perhaps even 60 so far ;
to forbid it, up and down. "Ma," Q
the contrary, rather liked the romano
of the thing
IF the young man is in earnest
, said she-"and l don't see any reasc
why he shouldn't bet may be an e,
cellent settlement for Rosa"
At the sound of footsteps on Il
door-stone, Fanny fled precipitatel
Rosa sank, painting, on the hairclo
sofa, and Mrs. Pitcher hastened
answer the knock.
Does Mr.. Pitcher live here" said
tall young man, with sandy hair,
- moustache to match, and pale-bl
eyes yelled behind spectacles.
He does" falteringly answer
, Mrs. Pitcher. "Please to walk in.
} daughter is in the parlor.'
perhaps" said the young man, HI
itatingly, 'it might be well for me
explain to you that L"
NO explanations are necessary
said Mrs. Pitcher. growing more a
$ more Hurried. "She quite understan,
: Please to walk right into the parl
: You'll find her there