The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1885-09-17

Much as Janet was pleased, sh'
never would have dreamed of tax
ing the gentleman at his word; bu
the next morning proved a rainy
one, so that Mr.. Dents cham Der
being cold and no fire lighted il
the sitting room, he came into the
kitchen with his book and enscOnc
ed himself in the great rocking
chair beside the stove.
That was the pleasantest day Of
Janet's life. Mr.. Dent told her sucl
funny stories, and read so beauti-
fully from his great book and then
he filled the water pals, and kept
the fire burning, and jumped up tC
lift the heavy tubs for her, and sat
down again to keep the bread from
burning while she carried Mrs. I'll
tus' dinner up.
And while he was doing all this
Mr.. Dent was thinking what dea'
little patient thing she was,and how
prettily the nut brown hair curleG
over her head.
AT night he filled the boxes with
wood, strained the milk, wound the
high clock and turned the cats out;
and all day he had had a jest for
everything, and a genial glance and
kind tone that turned darkness
into light for Janet.
She sighed with happiness as she
went TO sleep, though Mrs. Titus
goodnight word had been that ''she
was a lazy, good-for nothing thing!'
and that she SHOULD be down stairs
TO morrow to see what Janet was
up to-"
The northeast storm continued
and Mr.. Dent was sitting by the fire
again when Mrs. Titus limped into
The kitchen with a cane.
Now, Mr.. Dent had just been
chopping mince-meat with Mrs.
Titus Bingham apron and rutfied
cap on and had barely cast them
aside when the lady opened the
door and caught Janet laughing.
She might we'll have looked amaz-
ed, for she never had seen Janet
laughing before. Now, why she
probably could not have told, but
Mrs. Titus was offended.
She waited until dinner was serv-
ed and Janet had gone into the
well-room to cool the pudding then
she began a. bitter TRADE:
Pretty business this is, giggling
and fooling your time away and
everything to do! Mr.. Dents been
reading poetry to you, has he? How
much more churning can you do
when you listen to poetry? Have
you baked that fruit-cake2 Well, 1
know it's made wrong! Did you
shut that settin' hen off the pest2
[ don't believe it. What's Mr..
Dent in the kitchen for, any way"
"Eor the fire, ma'am. The cham
bers are SO chilly. And 1 had so
much to do, and he was kind, and
arms were strong" faltered poor
little Janet.
''Umph! Been complaining to Mr..
Dent, have you, that you work so
hard? Whining, good-fOr nothing
creature! wish I'd left you in the
asylum. / never thought of your
turning out like this-luring men
into my kitchen when I'm sick in
bed"
"Stop, Mrs. Litusr' interposed
Mr. Dents heavy voice. Better
not 90 too far. janet has told you
all there is to tell. l did think she
worked too hard. 1 felt kindly to-
ward her. 1 have pair of strong
arms which haye helped her a little.
And they are still at her service.
They shall be hers for life if she
will. Little Janet, will you accept
me for a husband? Many young
er man will not be as tender and
true as 1, Janet. Will you come,
little oneg'
And Janet-she looked once With
her wide, innocent eyes into the
strong, gentle face, and then went
straight into those extended arms,
though Mrs. Titus stood by shifting
the cir in seorn.
swell, / never" ahe exclaimed.
'To think of itr'
Janet never was scOlded again.
Those kind, strong arms have been
about her ever since. be-sure,
she was not educated for a gentle
mans wife, but Mr.. Dent took her
home to the kiRdest Of mothers and
sisters, whose influence and tact
polished her unObsGrusiVe manners
and soon made her the most ele-
CANT of women. The toll worn lit
tie hands are white as snow now;
but, better than all. her heart is the
happiest that ever beat in 9 Wife's
Enthusiastically Night.