The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1885-04-25


spoons at once"
The farmer wriggled uneasily in hi
cushioned rocking chair.
81 wish old mother Waterman ha,
been in Jericho, afore she came here 7
he said to himself. 81 wish Philen
would stay at home, and look afte
things herself. It'll be the last time
ever get caught in that trap!'
Meanwhile pretty Seraphina, singin,
softly to herself, folded an old, striped
shawl around her taper shoulders, ant
went out to the huckleberry pasture
after the truant company of COWS.
Old Tulips bell was jingling among
the silver-stemmed birches on the bleal
hill; they were already on the home
ward path, but Seraphina loitered un
necessarily on the bars, and paused ;
minute at the footbridge that spanned :
brawling brook.
All was still and dusk; certain
frosty sweetness was in the autumn air
and the only visible person was woman
further down the brook, who was dip
ping out water.
Suddenly there was another step
strong, swift and full of purpose-glid
ing down the brittle branches and dead
leaves in its progress.
Seraphina's eyes frightened avivid
color rose into her cheeks.
"There he comes now!'' she mur.
INJURED. "There comes George !"
To her surprise and dismay, however,
the cavalier did not come up the hill,
but stayed his steps beside the other
woman below.
"He is throwing his arms around
her neck" thought indignant Sera-
phina. "He is-yes, he is actually
kissing her Are men absolutely with
out truth and faithfulness in this age OF
the world? But l don't care! Why
should / care? I'm sure it don't mat
ter to me. /"
No more hesitation, pausing for the
COWS, Seraphina hurried them home,
and finished the milking in less time
than it had ever taken her before.
"She was just carrying in the foam
ing pail, when a tall figure approached.
"Seraphina -
"Pray don't trouble yourself to speak
to me, sir" said Seraphina, with toss
of the head. cor if you do, please
call me Miss Foxglove. "
And Seraphina vanished in the
kitchen door.
"What's the matter, Phiny ?" said
her mother, noticing the girls quick
movements and heightened color.
''Nothing, ma !" said Seraphina.
1t was getting toward nine O'Clock,
and Mr.. Foxglove had already INDUCED
in one or two surreptitious maps, as his
wife read the newspaper aloud in
monotonous accents, and Seraphina
darned stockings, when there came a
knock at the door.
Mrs. Foxglove opened it. There
stood the Widow Waterman, with hel
limp bonnet and inevitable sniff.
81 hope amt intrudin'," said
Mrs. Waterman, "but here's the brown
bombazine cloak, Mr.. Foxglove, and
humbly thankin' ye all the same I'd
rather not wear it"
"Eh ?" said Mr.. Foxglove, in amaze.
ment.
"It was very kind of you to give it tc
me-" went on Mrs. Waterman, to the
utter and total discontinue of the poo,
farmer. "But there's some things as
human flesh and blood can't a-bear,
and to have deacon Pullaby's son akin
if he couldn't see me home when
come outen the store with a cents
worth of snuff, and Mr.. Ferdinand
Pluff sayin' was to be at the dance at
Melindy Ed 'ardses, Tuesday night, and
might he call for me at eight o'clock
Well, it's kind of upsettin' But the
worst of it all was when 1 went to get a
little water at the brook-for my hogs
head dropped all to pieces that last hot
we had in September-and as true as
you live, young fellow seized holt O.
up and and give sohR hm f. box On the saf
And l believe it's the brown cloak as
done it ALL" with meaning glance at
Seraphina Foxglove. $50 if you'd
please to take it back, I'll try and get
along with my old shawl spell longer.
And the roast chicken was proper good,
sir" with a courtesy in the direction
of the luckless farmer, "and that there
apple-pie couldn't be beat !"
There was moments direful silence,
and then Mrs. Waterman, seeing nc
probability of being invited to si1
down, sidled out of the room and be.
took herself once more to the myster-
ious silence of the night.
"Well, 1 declare !" said Mr.. Fox
glove.
"Ma, don't scold pa" said Sera
phina, halfway between the laughing
and crying.
The farmer feebly rubbed his hands
"I guess I'll go to bed," said he.
And he went. While Serphina, run
ming out to the we'll for a pitcher o
water, the last thing before shutting uI
the house for the night, had nearly
stumbled against poor George Peterson
"Goodness me what are you doing
here?" said Seraphina.
"I can't go home and sleep, Sera
phina, while you are angry with me,
said the poor young fellow, who wa
very desperately in love. "What have
l done to deserve your GOODNESS ?"
Even in the starlight he could Sc
Seraphina's eyes sparkle.
"Nothing," she answered. "Excep
except that you can't blame me TO
being jealous when see you huggin
and kissing the Widow Waterman u
s'It was the cloak, Seraphina-th
brown cloak-that misled me-" plead
ed George. 81 thought or course tina
it was you.
"Oh, it's all very we'll to talk !
said Seraphina.
"And she began winding up the wei
chain with great energy.
And Mrs. Foxglove thought that Sera
phina had never before been so long i
bringing a pitcher of water.
To George Peterson. however, tn