Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1885-05-06


left it here this morning"
eff / had pair of eyes, I'd use
them" said Mrs. Foxglove, coming to
the rescue and viewing the row of
empty pegs with an eagle glance,
"Well, declare! Nehemiah, turning
to her husband, ''that comes of leav
ing you to keep house. You must
have gone off and left the door open,
and some tramp hasgot in and robbed
u.s."
81 did just step out to the woodpile
for some more logs" said the farmer,
thankful for the avenue of escape that
was opened to him. "But I WASH t
gone long"
'dThat's it," said Mrs. Foxglove
with a tone of conviction; chats it !
do wonder at you, Nehemianl Any
4-year-old child would have known
better. | shall count all my silver
spoons at once"
The farmer wriggled uneasily in his
cushioned rocking-chair.
81 wish old Mrs. Waterman had
been in Jericho before she came here!"
he said to himself. II wish Philena
would stay at home and look after
things herself. It will be the last time
/ ever get caught in that trapW
Meanwhile pretty Seraphina, singing
softly to herself, folded an old striped
shawl around her taper shoulders, and
went out to the pastures after the
truant company OF COWS.
Old Tulips bell was jangling among
the silver-stemmed birches on the
bleak hill; they were already on the
homeward path, but Seraphina loi-
tered unnecessarily on the bars, and
a minute at the foot-bridge that
spanned brawling brook.
All was still and dusk; a certain
frosty sweetness was in the autumn
air, and the only visible person was a
woman farther down the brook, who
was dipping out water.
Suddenly there was another step
strong, swift and full of purpose
grinding down the brittle branches and
dead leaves IN its progress.
Seraphina's eyes brightened a vivid
color rose into her cheeks.
'"There he comes, now" she MUIR
INJURED. ''There comes George
To her surprise and dismay, how
ever, 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 Seraphina.
HE is-yes, he is actually kissing her |!
Are men absolutely without truth and
faithfulness in this age of the world :?
But | don't care! Why should l care?
I'm sure it don't matter to me, /"
No more meditations, pausing for
the COWS. Seraphina hurried them
home, and finished the milking in less
time than it had ever, taken her be-
fore.
She was just carrying in the foam
ing pail, when a llfgure approached.
''Seraphina !"
"Pray don't trouble yourself to
speak to me, sir" said Seraphina with
a toss of the head. "Or if you do,
please call me Miss Foxgloven"
And Seraphina vanished through
the kitchen door.
whats the matter, Phiny2 2" said
her mother, noticing the girls quick
movements and heightened color.
Nothing, ma," said Seraphina
It was getting towards 9 O'Clock,
and Mr.. Foxglove had already in
SuIIODtIIlOuS
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 her
limp bonnet and inevitable sniff.
Il hope I'm not intruding," said
Mrs. Waterman, "but here's the brown
bombazine cloak, Mr.. Foxglove, and,
humbly thanking you all the same, I'd
rather not wear it,
"Eh ?" said Mr.. Foxglove in amaz-
ment.
cit was very kind of you to give it
to me-" went on Mrs Waterman, to
the utter and total discontinue of the
poor farmer, "but there's some things
as human flesh and blood can't BEAR
and to have Deacon Pullaby's son
asking if he could not see me home
when | came out of the store, and Mr..
Ferdinand Pluff saying was to be at
the dance at Melinda Edwards on
Tuesday night, and might he call for
me at s o'clock-well, it's rather up
setting. But the worst of it all was
when went to get little water at
oIiO OAOOh lO1 my HOSoAO0O OIOPPOo
all to pieces that last hot weather we
had in September-and as true as you
live, young fellow seized hold of me.
and was going to kiss me if
[ hadn't up and give him a box on
theear. And believe it's the brown
cloak as done it all, with meaning
glance at Seraphina F'oxglove. $50 if
you would please to take it back, I'll
try and get along with my old shawl
a spell longer. And the roast chicken
was very good, SIR with a curtsy in
the direction of the luckless farmer,
land that apple pie couldn't be beat. .
There was a moment S direful silence,
and then Mrs. Waterman, seeing no
probability of being invited to sit
down, sidled out of the room and be-
took herself once more to the mystic
rious silence of the night.
"Well, | DECLARE" said Mrs. Fox
glove.
''Ma, don't scold pal" said Sera-
pima, hallway between laughing and
crying.