Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1889-09-12

uOWu.
Yes said Mrs. Scarsby, little
doubtfully, .'but that's what they al.
ways do. 1t would be great thing for
Naomi Nutting."
I'll never believe it." said John.
The old love affair between him and
Naomi Nutting was dead and gone
long ago, but something in the preva-
lent atmosphere seemed to fan the
faint spark of its ashes into new life.
John Scarsby remembered how black
and bright her eyes once were, and
what a trim little figure she had.
While the squire, meditating on the
perfect, dazzling cleanliness of Naomi's s
dairy, and the efficiency with which
she had set out the violet roots and
the strawberry creepers. said to him
self:
* don't know but that might do
worse. To be sure, she's poor, soli-
tary, friendless creetur, without any
property. except that old mortgage
ridden farm. But l can't get no hired
girl short of eleven dollars month,
and it is sort O. lonesome settin' on
the stoop of eveuin's all alone. She's s
been brought up economical, too, and
won't want to spend any more money
than she can help. That's a great
thing"
And the squire brushed his lank
hair more carefully than ever over the
glossy dome of his bald Uranium, and
considered seriously the propriety OF
dying his grizzy beard.
Mother" said John Scarsby, that
day, 'it isn't right for you to do all
the housework by yourself It's too
much for YOU"
LA. John, do hope you amt
thinkin' of hirin' a help!' exclaimed
Mrs. Scarsby. in dismay. "Of all the
shiftless, idle. wasteful things
We've got to do something, moth
err" said John. II can't let you work
yourself out"
1t was all true. John Scarsby had
said the same thing time and again to
his mother; but he said it now with
genuine earnestness, looking at her
as he did so, and secretly wondering
how he should break to her the It'd
Iings OF an impending daughter-in-law.
And Naomi Nutting, OF all persons,
the woman whom Mrs. Scarsby al.
ways designated as ''that poor forlorn
old maid"
John was brave man, but there
are more kinds of courage than one.
Mrs Scarsby cried over the butter
beans she was cutting up for dinner
II won't have help in the house.
thought she. "If John really wants
a woman around. why can't he ge
marriedp And don't know no smart
er girl than Naomi Nutting. I've ,
great mind to 90 over and SEQ If sh,
can't break that ere contract will
Squire Bagshot i wish dared tt
speak right out to John about it. Fl,
used to like Naomi, but men ar,
queer"
| Naomi had just come in from weed
ing her late-onion patch the next even
ing, when the squire arrived, all II
his best.
Good evening. SQUIRE said Mis-
Nutting. ''Sit down till l light tn,
lamp"
Don't light it." said the squire
sheepishly. I'm partial to the twi
light"
Il ain't," said Naomi II mostl,
like to see what I'm doing. You'v
come about business, l supposep"
"Ahem-yes, admitted the squire
Although he had told himself all da,
long that Naomi Nutting woul,
certainly jump at his offer, he coul'
not subdue a certain nervousness a
the last moment. Very importan
business!'
Rat-tat-tat-t-t-t! came knock OF
the panels of the lilac-shaped from
door.
John Scarsby. arriving close on tn
heels of the squire, had perceived tn
necessity for immediate action.
He was flushed, and breathed har
: with rapid walking, but he ha'
screwed his courage up.
Naomi" said he, ''can l speak t
you for one minuteP"
Naomi, holding the lamp in on
hand, stared hard at him.
Pm engaged just now," said she.
"EngagedP"
esquire Bagshot is here"
II won't keep you long," sal
John. II only want one word"
"Any thing happenedP" questione
Naomi
mo, but" John drew quicl
breath of vexation and embarrass
ment 'Will you hear me out
NaomiP"
The squire. in the front room
cleared his throat loudly as Naom
; conducted John into the back kitchen
.Now, then" said she. What
it?'
Did ever lover WOO maiden befor
under such discouraging circumstance
as these?
John fixed his eyes on the coppe
; boiler, and blurted out his tende
confession at once.
twas an awkward proceeding, br
it was inevitable.
4 Naomi" said he. 81 want a wife
: Will you have meP"
mo, thankee, john" said Mis-
Nutting.
John stared at her. and uttered
. gasp.
, "What did you sayP" stammered h,
a IL said nor
I'm too late, am lp'' he uttered