The Washington critic., 1886-01-01
ON NEW YEARS DAY.

Old Mrs Lusk had brought in the
lighted candles and piled an extra log
on The fire, so that the low.ceiled
Kitchen was all aglow with ruldy
light, while the smell of stcwing apples
and the song Of the tea kettle which
hung from the iron crane lent prac.
teal idea of comfort to the scene.
Taxes, amt it?' said Mrs Lusll,
whose eycsight was not so good as it
bad been,
"No, it amt" said philo. at amt
letter at all. It's just card: Miss
Valcria Whitman. At home Jan. /,
1886"
la" said Mrs. Lusk. "Shc wants
you to call there"
"Get OUT" said Philo. with sudden
access of shcepishness. why should |
so thereY
well, why not2' asked Mrs. Lusll.
.lts what the city people do, I'm told.
They make big cake and draw a
pitcher of cider, and set down in their
best clothes TO see company. Valley
Whitman is dreadfully enterprising.
She means TO lead in the fashions" "
Am to call thereI" asked Philo.
"Why, of course, said his mother.
what else should it mean Miss
Nalcria Whitman. At home.
She's at home most days, amt
she?" said Philo, musingly, "There
never was anything of the gadabout in
Valley Whitman that ever heard of"
ooh, but this 'cre's new kink," ex-
planned Mrs. Lusk. New Years Day.
don't you seeY'
'1'd calculated to take The oxen on
to Snidge Hill and grub stumps out Of
the clearing on New Years Day" said
Philo.
"The next day will do just as well for
the stumps. One might as we'll be out
of the world as out of the fashion" said
Mrs. Lusk.
Deacon Folgrovc got one of Miss
Whitman's cards-also Squire Hart. In
fact, there was not widower, or old
bachelor, or eligible swain in Ccdarville
who was omitted from the list.
II amt as young as / was" said
Miss Whitman to herself. "lt's high
time took steps to establish myself. ."
SO she put fresh muslin curtains to
the windows, made herself new
gown according to the latest fashion
plate, and prepared for the festive ini.
iial day of Nle year.
Miss Valeria Whitman had passed
her 4jth birthday. She was stout and
ruddy, with the very best set of teeth
that the Cedarvillc dentist could sup
ply; and she was very tired of living
alone and sewing on vests to earn her
pin money. She had determined on
this particular occasion to make Il coup
d'etat and win a husband
So she attired herself on new year S
day in green satin dress cut low in
the neck and short in the sleeves,
and pinned bunch of chrysanthe.
NUNS at the left side, and puifed her
hair in the most elaborate fashion.
81 do declare" said Miss Val TO her
self, IL don't look day over 90 :"
Deacon Folgrovc was the first to
arrive-hard.hHnded, hard headed old
man, with complexion of leather and
the keenest of black eyes.
81 got letter from you, Miss Whit
man" said he, 81 suppose you want
TO consult me on business?"
La, deacon, what a very strange
ideal" said Miss Whitman, with a
gigglc. mo, indeed; only wish to
promote sociability at this festive sea-
SON."
"Wcll, then, l guess I'd better be
going" said the deacon, crisply. 81
hain't got no time for no sich foolcry."
Don't be in Il hurry, deacon" said
Miss Whitman. II do wish TO consult
you"
about what ?' said the deacon,
looking obviously at the chilled shout
dcrs and purple arms of the lady.
"Marriagcl" said Miss Whitman.
"Would you advise me, dear deacon,
to commit my future into the hands of
another"
"EhY' said the deacon. "lIad an
ofrer?"
"Yes," said Miss Whitman, driven
by his directness into an absolute
lie.
"Then, if ] was you,' said the
deacon, "Pd accept it; cause it
amt likely you'n have many of
'em." "
Miss Whitman colorcd under the
rice powder.
But, deacon" she stammcred
what if l don't love the man, What
if | love another who"
"Thcn don't accept him." said the
deacon but" suddenly becoming
aware of his danger, as Miss Valeria
moved her chair little closer to his,
my horse is gettin' dreadful uneasy;
| guess I'll be goin'. No, thank you, 2"
as Miss Whitman took up plate of
cake. 81 don't never ca. nothin eX-
ccpt at my reg'lar meals. Good
mornin'v'
And thus the deacon escaped.
"Eh! what's that noise? If it's the
cat jumping ut my canary again-but
it sounded like some one laughing, and
cats don't laugh Who's that? Philo
Lusk, declare! Wen, he's n likely
young fellow-not as rich as Squire
Hart maybe, but-oh, come in, Mr.
Lusk, come I'M | am so glad to see
you. Lovely day, isn't it?''
Philo Lusk sat down, with his hat in
his lap.
- received your card, Miss Valeria, ="
said he, "and | am here in response to
| ii.
so kind of YOU" said Miss Whit
man, with a smile which not even the
tabled "cats Of Cheshire" could excel,
although they are reported to be good
at smiling.
"To tell the truth" said honest
Philo, II wanted Il little talk with
YOU"
Indeed 70 said the lady "Won't {
you come here and sit beside me on
the sofa? It's more sociablc like"
"Oh, yes, if you like" said Philo,
obcying her gesture of invitation,
you see, my mother is getting feeblor
every day, and we feel the need of Il
young person at the farm. / am 2s
now, and the place in prime order, and
I've money at interest, so I've pretty
much made up my mind to marry,
Miss Naleria let the pulled and friz,
2lcd head fall on his shoulder,