The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1885-09-17
ROSA'S ENGAGEMENT.

kONAN hAUAhEhtNl.
"Dcar me-" ,aid Nh pjteU,r, what
are our gals % Grrssc for An't il
washing day"
"liush father p saic ois thrifty vile.
"1hey'rc expecting company The
Widow Collin. il coming to wash to,
day."
Mr. Pitcher whistled softly,
"Phew w" said he "m my young
days we didn't hire woman at is cents
day when we had good stout arms of
our own"
Things change father said his wife,
hurriedly
mot always for the better, though"
remarked Che good farmer, us he got into
his one,horse wagon and drove away.
"Do You suppose he'll be along soon ?"
said Rosa
"Hcw is body to tell :" retorted Fan
ny, rather impatiently.
"Oh, Fanny, I'm afraid ~ faltered Rosa.
You take my place, won't you He'll
never know that 1t wasn't you who wrote
the letter"
"Rosa, what II child you are" said Fan
ny, with calm superiority.
"Oh, dear said Rosa. IL am in such
u twiteration almost wish, Fanny, we
hadn't answered that advertisement"
"it's too late to think OF that now"
said Fanny. There he comes, this min
ute
" Where,' cried Rosa. divided between
her extreme curiosity to see the man who
had advertised for Il wife in the columns
OF the Fairyiew County Journal and the
instinct that babe her flee to the most con-
venient closet He is handsome ~
whispered she
and he has got his valise with him -
said Fanny.
LA ~ cried Mrs Pitcher. 81 wonder
II he expects to be asked TO stay ?"
At the sound of footsteps ON the door
stone Fanny fed prccipitately, Rosa sank,
painting. on the haircloth sofa, and Mrs.
Pitcher FASTENED to answer he knock.
Does Mr.. Pitcher live here:' said
tall young man, with sandy hair, n mus
tachc to match, and pale blue eyes, yelled
behind spcctacles.
He does falteringly answered Mrs
Pitcher. please to walk in. My daugh-
ter is in the parlor."
Perhaps" said the young man, hest
tatingly, cit might be well to explain to
you that I"
No explanations are necessary" said
Mrs. Pitcher, growing more and more
Hurried. " She quite understands. Please
walk into the parlor, you'll find her
Rosa. sitting exactly in the center of the
haircloth sofa, looked not unlike n mouse
in n trap, who would fain escape, if it
could.
The young man SAT COVE his valise and
bowed stifliy.
II hope see you well. miss" said he.
Pretty well, " StammeTed Rosa.
A fnllnt,-nl a. rf N eli
The young man, after rortentously
clearing his throat, began to Uafasten the
buckles of his valse.
like to show .iI,, said he.
He has got some credentials rs to char.
engagement ring. Oh, hope it's . NICE
one
Are yen fond Of cooking ?, said the
young man. But l needn't ask Every
New England girl is that"
81 LIKE i, pretty we'll, y said Rosa. much
marveiiag at the questioncr.
" You read good Geai, suppose p
"Oh, YES said Rosa Frightening mp .
little.
:" Exactly, said the young man, We'll,
have here the very Thing that will suiI
you. Your next neighboc below, Mira.
Slatterly, has taken two copies of it, and
it was she who recommended me to call
utIt. ~ COllUlGlC tubAGIf 'JbOk, Will all
the recipes i'll poetry and illustrated
throughout, at only 81 II volume. A sou
venir alike worthy nf parlor table or
the kitchen dresser, or even q place in the
young ladys ,boudoir. And as for literary
excellence"
His tongue was unloosed at last he
was sufficiently voluble now.
Rose started to her feet.
"Are-are you a book agent ~ she
cried
THAT'S my business, miss" acknowI-
edged the young man, unwrappng sew
eral differently bound volumes of the
Complete Cookery Book, in Verse"
"Will you do me the favor TO look at this
book"
mo, won't - eXctededly cried Rosa
II only ask trial to convince you
"I.et me go!" cried Rosa, blindly rush
ing to the door. Il am not well l
think am going to faint"
The book agent picked up his specta-
cles, looked blankly at the blue, red and
green volumes of his stock in trade, and
began slowly to replace them i'll his va
lise.
"I don't believe shall make trade
here" said he to himself. The people
are queer. hope | haven't got into pri-
vate lunatic asylum"
And he opened the front door and walk
ed QUITO the house, just as Rosa ran sob
bling down the grape vine path in the gar
den, directly into the arms of Il tall young
giant, who was coming up from the river
with an overcoat on his shoulder
Rosa" said he, 1--WE come here to
ask you to.pardon me. 1t was that adj
vertised. / did it just for joke. But
when you answered it"
"Jotham Ellett'' cried Rosa, nearly
choking with wrath, I'm never forgive
you in this world--never"
She struggled to escape from his grasp,
but in vain.
Now, Rosa, don't be vexed," said he.
"1ou will forgive me; you must And
you shall marry me, too. There ! | al
ways said could pluck up spirit 10 ask
any girl to marry me; but somehow this
matter seems to settle itself. No, you
shall not go till you've said yes. You're
the very girl I've always wanted And
you don't know what 3 deal os store l
shall set by you, Rosa dear"
Don't tell pa about the advertisement.
| then," whispered the fast relenting Rosa.
81 won't tell a living SOUL" declared
lothian.
The book agent went on his way, max
ing tolerably good sales that sultry July
day, while lothian and Rosa sat happily
under the grapevines. and the Widow
Collins hung ont the Tapping sheets and
the days when she. too, was young. Mr..
Pitcher was well leased when he came
home and learned lhe news OF his dar.i-
ter'S engagement.
Joe Elicit is a good iellow,n said he
"Rosa couldn't do better.
But it isn't half a. romantic as /
thought it was going 10 be when Rosa
answered that advertisements" said Fan
ny, sorrowfully, i'll the secln&ion Of the