Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1888-09-10

I
We are p
eyes, we called to see him on inn
portant businsss," replied Mrs. Han
son, frigidly.
"Sure thin, I'll be after calm
him though the ould jintleman's
sound aslape, for heard him snoor-
in but just now when | came fornist
his bedroom door. Come in with
yees," and Biddy ushered the ladies
into room where the breakfast table
was standing in waiting for the fam
lily.
''Hum '' said Mrs. Wilkes, look
ing significantly at the table. "She
can't be no great shakes layin' abed
till breakfast time. Poor Mrs. Rich
ards used to be up In season."
Just at this moment the Squire en-
tered in elegant dishabille, that is
without a coat and minus shoes and
stockings. He advanced holding out.
his hands cordially.
"Good morning ladies, good morn
ing. I'm little late, you see. Hope
you'll excuse my toilet; the fact is
that L sat up rather late last night
and felt drowsy this morning. Fine
morning, isn't it?"
"Very enchanting" replied Mrs.
Hanson, who prided herself on the
elegant propriety of her language
sit is beautiful enough Cor morning
in the gorgeous land of the Orientals.
But to change the subject; we called
on a matter of business"
'What's the difficulty now, Mrs.
Hanson? A new carpet for the par
sonage, or is $50 wanted for the mis-
sionary society? Come, speak out J"
"Ah, Squire, it's wuss than that"
exclaimed Mrs. Wilkes, no longer
able to keep silent, sit is something
that consarns you, Squire, consarns
your everlastin' and eternal we'll
bein'."
"Indeed Well, go on" said the
Squire, looking very much surprised.
Mrs. Hanson drew long breath
aud began;
esquire, we called to see if you
were thinking of marrying again
we"
"You were not going to propose to
me, were you, ladies'? / should be !
exceedingly happy to receive such
proposals, but | should have Deacon |
Hanson and Major Wilkes in my hair
forthwith. 1t would not do, ladies'"
''No, 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 in your house, and if agreea-
BILE we would be pleased to see her.
Our interest in you and your mother
lSoS CHilu mas luuuC6d us W uO bhl5'
Mrs. Hanson spoke with solemn dig
nifty and her tone was evidently in
tended to impress the Squire power
fully.
"And we want to know where you
got acquainted with her, Squire, and
how old she is; and if she knows
how 10 do housework," said Mrs.
Wilkes.
"How did you learn anything of
this % asked the Squire, evidently
somewhat nonplussed by the extraor-
dinary knowledge of his affairs dis
played by the visitors.
"We heard of you ridin' out with
her, Squire, she dressed all in pink
with a green silk bonnet. 1t don't
look very we'll, Squire, to see a man
of your age, ridin' out with sich a
young gal"
"Well, ladies, suppose l should
take notion to get married? You
couldn't blame me, | don't think.
Here | am with no housekeeper, and
hired girl to oversee things, and
my home is none of the most orderly.
Elmetta needs some one to care for
her, and it would not be in nature for
father to be unmindful of the in
l.
"Why, no, of course not, but then,
if you needed housekeeper, my Julia
Ann would come and look after
things. She's a capital manager and
very fond of children. She and Ell
meta, sweet little thing, would git on
admirably"
"Yes, Or my Mary Elizabeth, Ell
ther. She'd be tickled to death to
come, she thinks so much of Squire
Richards and his little gal. And, If ]
do say it, Mary Elizabeth is nice ,
gal as there is anywhere"
"Mary EIithzabeth's health is too
feeble for much exertion, Mrs. Wilkes,
and you don't do right to put any
thing hard upon her; you know she
has pain in her side half the time"
"Well," said the Squire, at last,
81 don't know what to think about it.
l don't believe Elmetta would give
up this lady in pink, as you call
her, at all; she has taken a wonder
full liking to her."
"Where did she come from Squire?
You hain't told us anything about her
yit."
"To be sure, Mrs. Wilkes. Well,
found her in a milliner's shop in {
the city of Buffalo" :
''In a miIIiner's shop! Then she's !
a milliner, is she Well, | neverl'
SWill Won no kind enough tn favor