The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1885-01-03
BY HELEN FOREST GRAVES.

~Now | wonder what that means p
said Philo Lusk.
He had just come back from his
snowy tramp to the post-office, with the
weekly paper and one letter.
Old Mrs. Lusk had brought in the
lighted candles, and piled an extra log
on the fire, so that the low ceiled kitch.
en- was all aglow with rudy hight, while
the smell of stewing apples, and the
song of the tea tettle, which hing from
the iron crane, lent a practical idea oil
comfort to the scene.
Taxes, amt it?" said Mrs. Lusk,
whose eyesight was not SO good as il
had been.
mo, it amt taxes" mechanically ut.
tered her son, still intent on the con.
tents OF the envelope that he had Just
torn open.
well, tken, it's a letter from you,
Aunt Sophrony, out on Long Island
asking for money"
mo, it amt" said Philo. at amt q
letter at all. It's just a card. Miss
Valeria Whitman. At Home, January
l, 1884"
"Lal" said Mrs. Lusk. "She wants
you to call there"
Get outi" said Philo, with a sudden
access of sheepishness, "Why should
go there?"
well, why not?" said Mrs. Lusk
Its what the city people do, I'm told.
They bake big cake and draw a pitch
er of cider, and set down IN their best
clothes to see company. Valley
Whitman is dreadful enterprising. She
means to lead in the fashions"
Am | to call there?" asked Philo.
Why, of course" said his mother.
What else does 1t mean? Miss Valera
Whitman. At Home"
Shes at home most days, amt she %
said Philo musingly. "There never was
anything of the gadabout in Valley
Whitman that | ever heard Of"
"Oh, but this 'ere's a new kink!" ex-
planned Mrs. Lusk. New Years day
don't you see?"
I'D calculated to take the oxen on to
Snidge Hill and grub stumps out of the
clearin' on New Years Day." said Philo,
The next day will do as well for the
stumps," said Mrs. Lusk, encouragingly,
"One might as well be out of the world
as out of the fashion"
Deacon FolgrOye got one of Miss
Whitman's cards; also Squire Hart. In
fact, there was not wIdower or old
bachelor or eligible swain in all Cedar
vile who was omitted from the list.
amt as young as [ was" said Miss
Whitman to herself. "It's high time |
took steps to establish myself.
SO she put fresh muslin curtains to
she windows, made herself new gown
according to the latest fashionplate.
and prepared for the festive Initial Day
of the year.
"As for you, Bella" she said to her
niece, who worked in the needle factory
near by, and paid for her board and
lodging by such household tasks as she
might be able to do nights and mornings,
you eau go up to old Mrs. WiIletts on
New Years Day. Take my compliments
and a jar of them fermented sweetmeats
old Mrs. Willett won't ever know the
difference-and stay all day, and sew
and mend for her. There Amino yirtue
like that OF charity"
But aunt, pleaded Bella, would not
some other day do as well for Mrs. vii.
lett? / would rather remain here and
mo, 1t wouldn't" said Miss Valera,
CURLY: when l say [ want thing
done, want it done! So thereP
Il know" said Bella to herself
Aunt Val is going to wear that ridicu.
lous low-necked dress dyed-gre of sat.
Inland the wreath of flowers and Pm per.
fectly certain that that was bottle of han
dye | saw on her bureau labeled "Bes,
Black Ink And she has sent out a lot
OF cards, and Is going to see company
and am to be sent of to Snidge Noun.
tain, where Mrs. WilIett lives, to be ont
of the way. Well, we'll seer'
Miss Valera Whitman had Just passed
her five and fortieth year. She was
stout and ruddy. with the very best sci
of teeth that the Cedarville dentis
could supply, and perpetual smile riv
eted on her lips; and she was very tired
of living alone and sewing on vests t.
earn her pinmoney. And she had de
termlned, on this particular occasion
to make coup d'etat and win hus
band.
So she attired herself on New Year,
Day IN green satin dress, cut low il
the neck and short in the sleeves. apC
pinned bunch of chrysanthemums a
the left side, and pulled her newly
tinted barr IN the most elaborate stvle
Il do declare" said Miss Val to her
self, L don't look day over twentyl"
And then she took up her position il
the parlor, where bright fire blazed OF
the neatly secured brass andirons, anC
the smell of pancake and currant wine
was already perceptible, with piece O
tattlng IN her hand. Fortunately the
day was bright and clear; the well-beat
EN- snow offered every indacement t.
slelgmnS parties, and the sunshine
streamed IN upon the few geranium.
and the monthly rose in the window
seat, as If cloud and storm were alto
gether thing of the past.
Deacon Folgrove was the first to ar
rlye-a hard handed, hard headed ole
man, with complexion of leather. anG
the keenest OF twinkhng black ewes.
L got 8 letter from you, Miss Whit
manr, said he, L s'pose You want to con
suit me on business"
La, deacon, what a verv strange
ideal' said Miss Whitman, with Gig
gle. No, indeedl 1 only wish to pro,
mote sociability during this festive sea.
SON"
Well. then I guess I'd better be
goln', said the deacon. Il hain't No
time for no SIGH foolery."
Don't be in a hurry, deacon" said
Miss " hitman. Il do wish to consult
you"
"Abous what?' said the deacon. look
ing dublously at the chilled shoulders
and purple arms of the lady.
Marriage" said Miss Whitman
Would you advise me, dear deacon. to
commit my future into the hands of an.
other?"
"Ehf' said the deacon, "had an of.
fer?'
yes, said Miss Whitman, driven by
his directness into an absolute lie.
Then, If ] was you" said the deacon
I'D accept 1t. Cause it amt likely