The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1886-05-19
WHO WAS HEP


g What's the matter, Hubby ?" said Miss
Pinkerton, little impatiently
Miss Pinkerton had been making damson
jelly all the morning, and had just done up
the little false curls on either side of her
temples, pinned fresh lace frill into her
dress, and sat down to write in her journal;
for Miss Pinkerton was &C literary" and
kept journal, wherein she indited divers
and sundry original thoughts and aspira-
tons. Miss Pinkerton's life, albeit she re-
sided in q lonely New England farm house,
with mullein-stalks and blackberry pastures
around, had not been entirely devoid of
romance. She had been " disappointed "
twice once, when the sea-captain, who had
boarded all summer at her fathers house,
went away to Japan without proposing, and
brought home missionary's black-eyed
daughter as a bride on his next return voy-
age. The second time was when she dis
covered that Lemuel Lilliput, who had
pledged his forty-year-old troth to her, had
already two wives living-one in Utah, the
other in Nova Scotia.
I" Men are deceitful ever" said Miss
Pinkerton, "and I'll put no more faith in
them"
But the farm was no small charge for q
"lone woman" Tramps, and rumos of
tramps, terrified her feminine soul hired
men proved unworthy of trust, and maraud-
ing thieves stole her cherries and robbed
her apple orchards; and the long summer
twilights and winter evenings became almost
unendurable. And when old Mrs. Nudge,
OF the Hill House, recommended her far,
away cousin, Mr.. Pocket, Miss Pinkerton
listened with not unfavorable ear.
" He amt young, you know" said Mrs.
Nudge.
50 Well, said Miss Pinkerton, bridling a
little, " amt exactly young myself; and
suitability is great thing, where one Is
thinking of matrimony."
g But he's very pious," added the old
lady. - And he travels for book publish
ing company"
" Oh !" said Miss Pinkerton, remember
ing with some rcmorse tho unceremonious
manner in which she had hustled a book
agent out of the house that very morning.
+" And ! think solemnly enuncinted Mrs
Nudge, polishing her spectacle glasses as
she spoke, that he'd make suitable part
ner for any woman. And, if he's agreeable,
I'll tell him to call ON You the next time he
comes this way"
Miss Pinkerton simpered, but did not for
bid.
And here, upon this golden August after
noon, just when her jelly was all put up in
the glasses and neatly labelled, her baking
for the week done, and her false curls newly
rolled, up rushed Hubby, the hired girl, to
tell her g that there was q gentleman CON-
ing up the path"
" What sort of gentleman, Hubby 2" in
quired Miss Pinkerton, thinking Of the
minister, the doctor, the tax collector, and
the agent for the Missionary Society, all in
one breath.
He's short and stout, mem, /" said Hubby.
And don't believe his hair Is his own,
cause it don't match in the back. And he's
got packet Of books under his arm, and"
"Oh |" cried Miss Pinkerton, sudder
food of daylight seeming to irradiate he,
mental vision, 81 know now! It's Mrs.
Mudge's third cousin, from New York.
Run, Hubby, and put ON clean table-cloth
and the cold chicken, Hubby, and the iced
sponge cake, and some white bread and a
bowl OF ounce marmalade; and set over
the coffee pot right away, Hubby. And tell
him I'll be down stairs in minute"
Presently Miss Pinkerton descended, rust
ling in her best black silk dress, mildly ma
| lestic, and perfumed with homemade
cologne. Stiff and straight, in one of the
parlor chairs, sat her guest, with his pile OF
books on the floor beside him, and his
clasped hands resting over the knob of his
cane.
A stout, short, elderly man, dressed in q
suit Of pepper and salt, and most undeni-
able wig, he rose up and nodded. Miss
Pinkerton had expected Sir Charles
Grandson sort of bow but she courtesied
just as low as If her expectations had been
fulfilled,
"Plain,' she thought to herself; but
most undeniably genteel."
And then she added, aloud
Very happy to meet you, am sure.
Mrs. Nudge told me you were coming this
way"
"Ah!" said the stranger, in deep,
,leaginous voice. - was there yester.
Day"
t" It's a warm day, isn't ii ?" smiled Miss
Pinkerton, determined to deserve any eulo-
gies which her friend might have lavished
On her.
:" As hot as blazes," said the stout man.
| Miss Pinkerton was little taken aback
by the force of this comparison; but, after
! al, there was no absolute profanity about
the word " blazes."
a. And dusty" she said, with smile.
Powerful dusty" assented the man.
Miss Pinkerton. famed herself. The
stranger blew his nose sonorously.
Well, suppose we might as well get te
business" said be. I've no time to lose,
and-n
But Miss Pinkerton, who had smelled the
coffee and heard Huldys elephantine foot
steps creaking at the door, lifted her hand
jim playful depreciation.
II positively won't hear another word
said she, until you have refreshed your.
SELF
Eli 2" said the gentleman.
PRAY walk into the other room and par.
take Of q plain impromptu lunch," smiled
the hostess.
Well, I don't care II do" said the
company, with promptness.
He had an excellent appetite. he picked
tho chicken bones, ate several slices Of pink
boiled ham, garnished with parsley; drank
three cups of coffee, and showed an active
| appreciation of Miss Pinkerton's bread and