Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1886-01-14


she had determined on this particular
occasion to make a coup d'etat and
win a husband.
So she attired herself on New Years
Day in green satin dress. cut low in
the neck and short in the sleeves, and
pinned bunch of chrysanthemums at
the left side, and pulled her newly
tinted hair in the most elaborate style.
II do DECLARE" said Miss Val to her.
self, 81 don't look day over twenty!"
And then she took up her position in
the parlor, where bright fire blazed
on the neatly secured brass andirons,
and the smell of pancake and currant
wine was already perceptible, with a
piece of tatting in her hand. FOrtu-
tunately. the day was bright and clear;
the well-beaten snow now offered
every inducement to sleighing parties,
and the sunshine streamed in upon the
few geraniums and the monthly rose
in the window seat, as if cloud and
storm were altogether a thing of the
past.
Deacon Folgrove was the first to ar
rive-a hard-handed, hard-headed old
man, with complexion of leather and
the keenest of twinkling black eyes.
Il got letter from you, Miss Whit
man, said he. Il s'pose you want to
consult me on business"
LA, deacon, what a very strange
idear' said Miss Whitman, with a
giggle. "No, indeed. l only wish to
promote sociability during this festive
| season."
"Well, then, I guess I'd better be
goin'," said the deacon. II hain't no
time for no SIGH foolery.''
Don't be in hurry, Deacon" said
Miss Whitman. 81 do wish to consult
you"
..About what?' said the deacon,
looking obviously at the chilled
shoulders and purple arms of the lady.
"Marriage!" said Miss Whitman.
"Would you advise me, dear deacon,
to commit my future into the hands of
another?"
"Eh?' said the deacon, chad an
offer?"
YES" said Miss Whitman, driven
by his dircctness to an absolute lie.
"Then, if I was yOu," said the
deacon, I'D accept it. Cause it amt
likely you'll have many of EN-
Miss Whitman colored under all the
rice powder.
"But, deacon, she stammered, "what
if don't love the man? What if love
| another who"
.'Then don't accept him." said the
deacon. But" suddenly becoming
electrically aware of his danger as Miss
Valeria moved her chair little closer
to his, ..my horse is gettin' dreadfully
Uneasy outside. guess I'll be going.
No, thank YOU" as Miss Whitman took
up the plate of cake; Il don't never
eat nothin' except at my regular meals.
Good morning!"
And thus the deacon escaped.
Squire Hart was the next to put in
appearance-a heavy somber gentle
man, who was slightly deaf, and who
sat solidly down in the big chair.
"Ah, Squire simpered Valeria,
''there is a sort of fitness in your call
ing here, isn't there?''
s.Ma' am" said the Squire, and the
sentence had to be repeated one degree
louder.
Lob, yesr" said the Squire. eyes,
exactly. understand. But why?"
Because we are both so solitary"
smiled Miss Whitman.
The Squire put his hand back of his
ear.
"Would you repeat it little loud
cr?" said he. ''Oi, solitary! Yesr'
eff he should marry me-" thought
Miss Whitman, 'the very first thing l
shall insist upon will be an ear trum-
pet"
'.Does your soul ever sigh for con-
genial companionship?" said she, III a
high falsetto mine does!''
The Squire's heavy face lightened
little.
Miss Whitman" said he, with an
unctuous chuckle, ''may l contidc in
you?"
Miss Whitman's heart gave an up
ward leap.
Certainly" she answered.
"Well, then" said the Squire, 'I'm
going to hev congcnial companionship
arter the first of next month. I'm 60
ing to be married to Cornclia "COPPER""
"Ohr' said Miss Whitman, feeling as
if some one had violently boxed her
ears. ''I-rm sure l congratulate
you!'
"Hey?" said the Squire, leaning for
ward
81 con-gratu-late your bawled
Miss Whitman.
mo cake for me-" said the Squire.
I'm little troubled with dyspepsy.
But Cornelia's a smart. stirring girl,
and home like mine needs mistress.
So I've concluded to get married, and
I'm very glad you approve of my idea"
And the Squire departed, chuckling
all the way to the front gate.
II never saw such deaf old fool in
my life," cried Miss Valeria, aloud.
"Eh, what's that noise? If it's the cat
jumping at my canary again-but it
sounded like some one laughing, and
cats don't laugh. Who's that? Philo
| 'Lusk, l declare. Well, he's likely
young fellow-not as rich as Squire
Hart, may be, but-oh, come i'm, Mr..
Lusk, come in! am SO glad to see
you! Lovely day, isn't it? Do have a
little cake-or just a drop of my own
currant wine."
Philo Lusk sat down with his hat in