The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-02-07
CHAPTER III.

To follow my ups and downs-my few ups and many downs-would be to me a cheerless task, and to the reader, tiresome time1hrown away. At last, l secured a church in measurably intelligent neigh borhood. I had attained the age of twenty-three, and thou sh still awkward and gawky in my manners, yet had picked up many points of propriety; and, 1 think that with a good suit of store clothes, like the smooth coat and panta- ioons worn by young Proctor, one of my members, would have been quite pre- sentable. One Sunday, just after preach ing, young Proctor came to me and said that he wanted to introduce me to a widowed lady, Sister Parkman. Of course, l had no objections, and Sis.er Palkman was conducted forward. She was .all woman, with just enough flesh to have the merest suggestion of a double chin. She was very much pleased to form my acquaintance, and after say ing that must call sometime and see her, she put her hands on her hips and laughed. When sne went away, young Proctor came to me and said:
 Mighty fine woman, Brother Ruther- ford. Nobody like her in this neighbor- hood. She's well off-got plenty of every thing, and has money in the bank. We'll, she deserves 1t all, am sure."
 Now was not unduly influenced by the information, but decided to call on Sister Parkman. found her we'll st- uased. She had son, a grum, coarse looking boy about fifteen years old. This boy, Simon, his mother called him, did not impress me very favorably and thought to myself that if ever should have anything to do with him I'd argue with him against many of the ugly pecu- liarities he seemed to cultivate. don't know what caused me to think of him in this way, for l knew not how should ever have anything to do with him. Sister Parkman was very entertaining, and at supper she brought out IT of pear pre- serves and laughingly said that kind of sweet stuff should be eaten during the honeymoon. don't know what she meant unless she was trying to play on the word pear. It wasn't long after this until again called on Sister Parkman. She wasn't so intelligent, but she was very entertaining. Now, l am going to con- fess the truth: wanted to marry her, not particularly on account of any love had for her, but because I thought that if l married her, with her easy home and liberal means, she could give me chance of becoming . noted preacher. do not consider that this was mercenary, for, it was not for myself that I wanted the money. could live anywhere and it would really make no difference whether or not would ever have a coat like young Proctor's, but did want to buy booxs and-well, good dinner occasionally would materially help me with the great work which had undertaken. The more l visited her, the more entertaining be- came Sister PArkman. She laughed so much that thought she must be unac- quainted with ill-humor but could not say SO much for Simon. He was suriy and persisted in keeping out of my way.
 "Sister PArkman," said one evening, reaching over and picking a cuckle-burr from my blue jeans brooches, " dc yox not sometimes feel downcast and melan- cholyr'
 "Only of late when git to thinkia'," ," she replied.
 "Why are your thoughts of late so sefiousr'
 Speculation, brother"
 Concerning the next worldr'
 "No, consarnin' this one"
 q hope that money matters do not trouble your p
 SOh, no"
 She looked at me and sighed.
 Sister Parkman," said l, "you have become very dear to me"
 Her eyes fell.
 "Yss, and l love you very much"
 We kissed each other and were soon engaged. The people of the neighbor- hood did not believe in long engage. ments, % ws were married about two wesis from the tims et oaT agreement. We had . very good dinner, and as I sat at the head of the tahls and looked at Proctor, mused: Never mind, m have . coat like that aker awhile.1e