Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1889-09-27
that belonged to the cottage.

Hobart was taken away have no one
to advise me on these subjects"
And Mr.. Wiggleton thought how
soft and pretty her blue eyes looked
as she spoke.
''Oh, pshawr' said lothian, leaning
on the handle of his hoe, winter rye
amt the sort o crop for that spot.
Spring wheat's the only thing TO grow
there
Hold your tongue, Jotham," cried
his employer. testify.
Yes. sir; | will, said Jotham, with
a broad grin over Mr.. Wiggleton's
shining bald head
! And about these hyacinth beds,
ma am said the latter, recovering
his equanimity; I'll come over this
evening if you will allow
Il shall be delighted, " interrupted
the widow with a smile that showed
a set of teeth as white and regular as
| pearls.
This evening, maam," repeated
Mr.. Wiggleton, with bow, and we'll
sketch out diagram. Hyacinths
have TO be humored, Mrs. Palmleaf
80 l have always heard" said the
/ widow.
That evening after Mr. Wiggleton
had returned from discussing the mo
mentous question of sandy soil, bull
bous roots and crescents and circles,
he found Jotham on the front porch
contendedly breathing the flower
scented air.
"A very pretty woman, that Mrs.
Palmleaf, IJotham,n said the employer;
not because there was any congeni-
ality of soul, but because he could
have talked tothe gate post if lothian
hadn't happened to be there.
well, nobody doubts that, as ever
heard OH, p" said lothian, with his
elbows on his knees and his face COM
placently turned toward: the full
moon.
And she can't be over So"
80 | should a said myself" as
sented Jotham.
I'm glad she's taken the cottage
on long lease, Jotham, pursued Mr..
Wiggleton Il like good neighbors. ;"
Most folks does" observed 10Th
am.
And he got up shaking himself like
great Newfoundland dog and went
into the house, leaving Mr.. Wiggle-
ton to the companionship of his own
cogitations. There are times in which
solitude is said to be the best COM
pany. Perhaps this was one of those
special occasions, in the estimation Of
Jotham Hardcastle.
The summer went by; the great
maple in front of the Wiggleton man
sion began TO glow as if its leaves had
been dipped in blood and melted gold;
the asters reared there 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
uphill ground in spring wheat in
stead of winter rye.
'Jotham," said Mr.. Wiggleton to
his farm hand one evening; il was
the first time they had had fire on
L
"Well?''
Il have concluded it isn't best for
you to live here at the house any
longer
Whats going to happen?' said
Jotham. You amt goin' to hire an
other hand, be your
No; to be sure not You suit me
admirably, Jotham, only"-and Mr..
Wiggleton shot the words out with
an effort-'I ain thinking of getting
married"
"Oh!'
It'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 hate to
do a good thing"
Certainly not"
You ought to get married, 10Th
am, added his employer, speaking in
a rather rapid and embarrassing man
ner.
Think so?'
Certainly You might live in the
little house beyond the peach orchard;
it wouldn't take much TO fit it nicely,
now that paint and paper are so
cheap"
Jotham stared rehectively at 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, Imean,
that my wife will care for such things" "
"Humphr
I'D advise you to turn the thing all
over in your mind, lothian" said Mr.
Wiggleton.
Yes, will" said Jotham, with a
little cough.
The next morning Mr.. Wiggleton
attired himself in his best suit and
went TO the cottage.
Mrs. Palmleaf received him in a
charming wrapper, with ribbons to
match.
Mr.. Wiggleton wasted no time in
useless preliminary chitchat.
Mrs. Palmleaf, ma am, he began a
little nervously, II have concluded TO
change my condition.
Indeed = said the widow. smiling
like an open rose. Il am so glad TO
hear il.