Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1885-12-19

sofa, and Mrs. Pitcher hastened to
answer the knock.
Does Mr.. Pitcher live here" said a
tall young man, with sandy hair,
moustache to match, and pale-blue
eyes veiIed behind spectacles.
''He does falteringly answered
Mrs. Pitcher. please to walk in. Nv
daughter is in the parlor.'
Perhaps said the young man, hes
itatingly, sit might be well for me to
explain to you that l.
no explanations are necessary"
said Mrs. Pitcher. growing more and
more hurried. ",>he quite understands.
Please to walk right into the parlor.
You'll find her there
Rosa, sitting exactly in the centre Of
the haircloth sofa, looked not unlike
mouse in trap. who would fain es-
cape if it could.
The young man set down his valise
and bowed stify.
II hope 1 see you well, miss" said
he
Pretty WE'LL stammereCt Rosa.
And then followed An awful silence.
Bosa could have jumped out Of the
window, if it hadn't been for the big
geranium. She would have taken ref
uge through the door, if she had not
been inwardly certain that Fanny was
in hiding back of the hinges
She could not go up the chimney
like a draught Of air: neither could
she vanish into crack of the floor
SO she sat there and trembled.
The young man, after portentiously
clearing his throat. began to unfasten
the buckles of his valise.
II have something here which
should like to show you" said he.
''He has got some credentials as to
character" thought Rosa, cor perhaps
it is an engagement ring. Oh, hope
it's nice one
"Are you fond Of cooking:" said the
young man. But needn't ask. Ev-
cry New England girl is that"
Il like it pretty well,' said Rosa,
much marveling at the question.
"You read a good deal | suppose:"
''Oh, yes" said Rosa. Frightening up
little.
~ExactIyy said the young man
well, l have here the very thing that
will suit you. Your next neighbor
below. Mrs. >latterly, has taken two
| copies of it, and it was she who rec
commended me to call here. \ com
| plete cookery book. with all the recipes
in poetry and illustrated throughout,
at only one dollar volume. \ SOU
venir alike worthy Of parlor table
! or the kitchen dresser, or even of d
place in young lady's boudoir. And
as for literary excellence
His tongue was unloosed at last; he
/ was sufficiently voluble now.
Rosa started to her feet,
"Are-are YOU Il took ogenf" she
cried
That's my business, miss ackowl
edged the Young man. unwrappins
several differently bound volumes Of
the "Complete Cookery Book. in verse
will you do me the favor to look al
| this book :"
No. | wont" exciteJly cried Rosa
II only ask trial to convince yor
/. that"
Let me go" cried Rosa, blindly
| rushing to the door, II am not
we'll, think am going to faint"
The book agent picked up his spec
tacles, looked blanklv at the blue. rec
and green volumes of his stock il
trade, and began slowly to replace
them in his valise.
Il don't believe | shall make trad,
here" said he to himself. The peo
pie are queer. l hope l haven't go'
into private lunatic asylum
And he opened the front door ant
walked out of the house, jlst as Ros;
ran sobbing down the grape-vi vine patl
in the back garden, directly into th'
arms of tall young giant, who wa
coming up from the. river, with al
overcoat on his shoulder.
Rosa" said he. I've come here K
ask you to pardon NE. 1t was tha
advertised. did i, just for joke
But when you answered it
lothian Ellet" cried Rosa nearl,
choking with wrath. IN never for
give uo,t in this world sneNer"
She struggled to escape from hi
grasp, but in vain
Now. Rosa, don't be vexed," sal,
| il.