Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1885-09-04
A QUAINT PROPOSAL.

A QUAINT PROPOSAL.
The lilac bush beneath the south win
dow of Willow Brook Farms wainscot-
ted parlor nodded gracefully as a tiny
zephyr swept gayly by, waiting far and
near its incense of new mown hay. In
its wake tluttered a purple and golden
butterfly, TO poise a moment upon the
windows ledge, then to soar boldly for
ward until it lit upon curious old vase
beside an organ, whose yellowed keys
cleaned softly in the half darkened
room. The butterfly and the vase mir
rored themselves in the polished oak
floor, and if the range had been right
they could have repeated the picture in
the shining surface of each article of
furniture.
A young girl was the sole occupant of
the room, with the exception, of course,
of the butterfly, who had winged his
way to small oval mirror and was busily
making his toilet, as his companion,
humming a merry tune, busted carefully
a squatty teapot, whose fat little spout
and comic tout ensemble at once inspired
a longing for tea brewed in such novel
quarters. At that moment a voice, call
ing "Marthy Marthy!" echoed through
the house, followed by: "Run--quick
old Tins in the corn field, and my hands
are all over dough-"
Hastily replacing the ancient heirloom
on a spindle-legged table, the young
girl darted from the room, while the
butterfly, startled at its toilet, spread its
brilliant wings and foated swiftly out
into the sunshine again. Snatching a
snowy sun bonnet from its peg in the
hall, Martha flew down the garden path
across to an adjacent meadow. In heI
hurry she failed to notice a gentleman
slowly advancing in her direction, until
two masculine hands stayed her progress.
With an exclamation of surprise, Mar.
tha raised her pretty blue eyes and met 9
pair of decidedly good looking brown
ones, gazing with evident appreciation
at the dimpled, blushing face, from of
which the sun-bonnet had slipped, dis
closing crop of reddish golden rim gs
lying close to the finely shaped little head
II beg your pardon" murmured Mar
tha, the bushes and dimples waxing
deeper, "but didn't see you, l was il
such hurry"
Don't mention it. Wouldn't have
missed the--the pleasure for anything
II like to be run into," averred the
gentleman with considerable emphasis.
Such ripping laugh as bubbled owe
the lips of Martha at this speech, which
she hastily apologized for with:
81 didn't mean to, really; but wha
you said sounded so odd"
"You couldn't do it again, could you
l assure you l never appreciated being
odd until to-day. /"
"Oh, the cowl" exclaimed Martha
suddenly recollecting her errand. &c
forgot all about him, "and away she sped
the gentleman hurrying after, repeating
'Cow! Him! Let me help you. /
really am very clever with COWS. In fac
would like to make them study"
However, when the field was reached
no COW was to be seen, and remarkins
that doubtless some of the hands hat
ousted old Tim, Martha turned her step
toward the house, thinking the gentle
man would proceed on his way. TO he
astonishment, however, he kept along b.
her side, observing:
"Are you acquainted at Willow Brool
farm"
"Why, yes; it's my home. wa
born there" answered Martha, SUI
prisedly.
"Happy farm! mcan-a-it must b
a lovely place. You see, the fact is
that is have note for Mrs. Duncan, G
Willow Brook Farm"
"My motherl" calculated Martha
: opening wide her blue eyes. Whereupo
the gentleman scanned with newl
awakened interest square envelope h
had extracted from his breast pocket, q
he added:
81 am an old should say my motht
is an old friend of Mrs. Duncan's, !" NAL
ing a rough calculation of the length {
time it might take, all things favorabl,
to place him on equally as good footin
with the daughter, while Martha
thoughts ran very much in this wise.
"Would be nice looking if he WASH
so salow. Wonder if mother will as
him to make us visit. / never heal
her speak of an old friend that had
son."
By this time they were proceeding u
the path that led to the farms prett
rose garlanded porch, and having ushcre
the gentleman into the parlor we hay
already been introduced to, with d
mure little courtesy and the words
will send mother" Martha left him.
In few moments a comely, ro
checked woman came hurrying into Il
parlor with:
"Good afternoon, sir, Martha tells L
you have q letter for me from an o
friend.n
eyes, from my mother" and Il
gentleman held toward her the lettc
Having read it through, interrupts
with ordinations such as "Bless m
Who'd hova thot1uht IL y, Mrs Du