The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1888-09-20

. sissnoed holding out bis hsads cordially
Good morning. ladies. good morning
I'm little late. you sec. Hope you'll ~
cass my toilet; the fact 10 that sAi vi
rather late last nigh. and felt jrossy thu
morning. Fine morning. isn't r
"yery enchanting" replied Mrs. Han.
son. who prided herself on The sle9ap
proprissy Of her language; "it l. beautiiu
enough for morning 10 the gorgcou,
land Of the Orientsls. But TO change III,
subject; we called on matter Of busi
ness"
Whats the difficulty nov. Mrs. Han
son 4 new carpet for the parsonage. OF
10 $50 waotej for the missionary society
Come. speak out"
"Ah. Squire. its vuss than that" ex
claimed Mrs. Wilkes. no longer able "a
keep silent. 1t is something tAst consarus
you. Squire. coussrns your svwlsssin' and
eternal welfare"
''indeed Well. go on" said the Squire
looking very much surprised.
i Mrs. Hanson drew long breath and
began:
Squire. we called to see il you were
thinking Of marrying again; We"
lyon we're not going 10 propose to me,
were you. ladies Ishould be exceed
ingly happy to receive such proposals. but
should have Deacon Hanson and Major
Wilkes 10 my hair forthwith. It would
not do. ladies'
mo, We supposed you had already
made your selection Of the person who is
TO fill your dead wife's place, and We have
called to talk with you about her. We
have understood that she was 10 your
house. and il agreeable We would be
pleased 10 see her. Our interest 10 you
and your motherless child has 10
duced US TO do this Mrs. Hanson spoke
with solemn dignity and her tone was evi.
IDENTIFY intended TO impress the Squire
powerfully.
And we want TO know where you got
acquainted with her, Squire. and how old
she is; aud il she knows how to do house.
work, said Mrs Wilkes
"How did you learn anything OF this r.
asked the Squire, evidently nonplussed by
the extraordinary knowledge OF his affairs
displayed by his visitors
"We heard OF you ridin' out with her,
Squire, she dressed all in pink, with
green silk bonnet It don't look very
well. Squire. to see man Of your age,
ridin' out With eich young gal"
"Well, ladies, suppose should take
notion to get married You couldn't
blame me. don't think. Here am with
20 house keeper, and hired girl to over.
see things, and my homo is none Of the
most orderly. EImstts needs someone to
care fol her, and il would not be in nature
for father to be unmindful OF the inter
ests Of his child
"Why, no. OF course not. but then, il
you needed housekeeper, my Julia Ann
would come and look after things. She's
capital manager and very fond Of chill
dren. She and Elmetla. sweet little thing,
would git on admirably"
Yes, or my Mary Elizabeth. either.
She'd be tickled to death to come, she
thinks SO much Of Squire Richards and
bis little gal. And, il | do say it, Mary
Elizabeth is as nice girl ss there is any
where"
"Mary Elizabeth's health Is too feeble
for much exertion, Mrs Wilkes, and you
don't do right TO put anything hard upon
her: you know she has pain in her side
half the time"
"Well, said the Squire, at last. Il DON
know what to think about it. don't be
lieve Elmetta would give up this lady 10
pink. ss you call her. at all; she has taken
. wonderful liking 10 her"
'Whefe did she come from Squire
You haiu't told US anything about her yit. |
ITO be sure, Mrs. Wilkes. Well, |
found her 10 milliner's shop in the city
OF Buffalo.
"Ia milliner's shop Then she's
milliner, is she Well. never T.
"Will you be kind enough to favor us
with an PRODUCTION should be hap
py TO see har before form an opinion OF
her character"
Mrs. Hanfon was very pstropiziug, and
so the Squire seemed to think, for he hes
itated monent before he said:
well. Mrs: Hanson. it will be IA ad
vantage TO her TO form the acquaintance OF
two such estimable ladies' as my present
company, and shall be very glad to pre-
sent her to you. Pray excuse me for .
moment.
"Stop. Squire r. exclaimed Mrs. Wilkes.
whats her name r.
Jennie Ray" replied the Squire as be
disappeared 10 the passage.
''JenDie Ray; regular story name
She's some city highly. s'pose.
Very likely, Mrs Wilkes, bu. see tho
,qnirv's mind is made up. and il is no use
o say anything. We must make the best
" her.
Just rs Mrs. Hanson let fall this mag
lanimous speech the door opened and the
squire appeared.
ladies. said the Squire. bowing po
itely. permit me to present 10 you Miss
ennie Ray. my daughters wax dol,
rbich purchased in Pufislo last week,
I'D which arrived the day before yester-
ay at the depot BY express. The cost Of
was si5. and at present have no iatep-
ion OF making it ny wife"
Poor Mrs. Wilkes Mortified Mrs.
isnson ! With burning faces they took