The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1889-01-12

very Vfttty woman tnat NAr7-
Palmleaf. Jotham." said the employer;
not because there was any special con-
geniality OF soul between himself and
his Farmland. but because he could
have talked TO the gate-posts II lothian
hadn't happened TO be there.
"Well. nobody doubts that. ms ever l.
heerd on" said lothian. with his elbows
on his knees, and bis face complacently
turned toward the full moon
ssAnd she can't be over thirty ?"
$50 should said myself. assented
lothian.
..rm glad she has taken the cottage
on long lease. Jotham.n pursued Mr..
Wiggleton, II like good neighbors."
Most folks does" observed lothian.
And he got up, shaking himself like
a Newfoundland dog, and went into the
house. leaving Mr.. Wigglcton to the
companionshin.pf his own cogltations.
There are times in which solitude Is
said TO be the best company; perhaps
this was one OF these special occasions,
in the estimation OF Mr.. lothian Hard
castle.
The summer went by; the great ma
pie in front of the Wiggleton mansion.
began 10 glow as II its leaves had been
dipped in blood and melted gold; the
asters reared their purple torches
along the stone wall by the COTTAGE
under the hill, and any acute observer
might have perceived that Mrs. Palm
leaf had laid down the rocky bit OF up
Hill ground in spring wheat instead Of
winter rye.
''Jothaml" said Mr.. Wiggleton to his,
farm-hand one evening; ii was the first
time they had had fire on the wide.
old-fashioned hearth.
"Wellp"
"I-have concluded 1t isn't best for
you to live here in the house any Ion
ger.n
Whats goin' TO happenpn said
lothian. "You amt going to hire an
other hand, be you?"
mo; TO be sure not. You suit me
admirably lothian, onlyn-and Mr..
Wiggleton shot the words out with an
effort. II am thinking OF being mar
ried."
"Oh!n said lothian.
"lt's rather late in life, to be sure"
said Mr.. Wiggleton. conscious OF look
ing extremely sheepish; "but you
know, lothian, it's never too late to do
a good thing"
Certainly not" said lothian, dryly,
"You ought TO get married, Jotham." ~
added his employer, speaking in
rather rapid and embarrassed manner
Think SOP"
Certainly. You might live In the
little house beyond the peach orchards,
IL wouldn't take much TO III 1t up nicely,
now that paintand paper are so cheap"
lothian stared rehectively ut the fire.
"And your wife could take care OF
the cream and butter, and all that sort
OF thing, for US. 1t isn't likely Mrs.
P Ahem!--it isn't likely, / mean,
that my wife will care for such things"
''Humphln remarked lothian.
sid advise you to turn the thing all
over in your mind, Jotham," said Mr.
Wiggleton.
.Yes. will" said lothian, with
little cough.
The next morning Mr.. Wiggleton at
tired himself in his best suit, and went
to the cottage.
Mrs. Palmleaf received him in a.
charming crimson cashmere wrapper,
with ribbons TO match.
Mr.. Wiggleton wasted no time in USE
less preliminary chit-chat.
"Mrs. Palmleaf-ma'am," he began,
little nervously, III have concluded to
change my condition"
Indeed" said the widow, smiling
like an opening rose; IL am glad TO-
hear It,"
"And am here this morning 10 ask
you to be my wife," pursued our hero,
boldly.
''You are very kind, SIR" said Mrs.
Palmleaf. blushing, and looking pref
tier than ever; "but IL really
couldn't"
"And why not?" demanded Mr.. Wig
glcton, fairly taken aback by this UNI
expected answer
II am engagedr owned up the
charming widow, playing with the
crimson ribbons at her belt.
might l dare 10 ask--that is"
"Oh. certainly. It's lothian Hard