Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1889-10-04
"Can't | walk with you . pleceT
"Pd rather go alone" she persist

"Why you of urse"
"Then take my answer-nO y
And without waiting for the re-
turn of her basket she hurried
away her cheeks blazing, :, her breath
coming quick aud fast.
"FathePll be awful rad," she
thought, "but I'd sooner die than
marry that man"
Webster WixOn stood a minute
gazing after her in crestfslIen 81
lence then he went back to apple
harvesting with an ominus COM
preston Of his lips.
"The madder she gets the pret'
tier she looks" thought be. "WeIl,
we'll, time will show. Brother
Moppet says she shall be my wife,
and that ought to count for consld-
able"
Mr.. Moppet drove leisurely on to
Horn Hill, and made an excellent
bargain for a highly ornamental
wood stove, after having success
sively interviewed every hardware
dealer iu town, aud set forth to re-
turn with it IN his wagon Just al
dusk.
ats q wan day for this time o
year." said he, "and IT'S easier
travelling for the horse arter dark
1t amt lad days work, come to
int. beat Brother Piper down
pretty we'll on the price, and it's
a dolIar'n half to cart the thing
home over these bumpsy roads
They lowed twenty dollars for it
and l got it fifteen. Takin' my
time and trouble aud wheel ware
and horsehesh into consideration,
I guess | won't say nothing about
the odd five dollars. Business IL
business. It's a proper, pretty pat
tern, thistle leaves aud acorn. I'D
| like one the same fashion IN my
best room, and"---wlth long
wbistle-"whY shOuld't have 1t
There's that second handed stove
Gran 'ther Bitkins took tor debt
from Solon Grubb. It's sjest standin'
rustln' away in his backwood she'd
III fetch it home tomorrow and
black 1t up, and let Elder Meachan
suppose got a bargin from some
body; aud III have the nice new
stove for myself, and no booyll be
none the wiser, now that Granther
Atkins is confined to his bed with
creepin. paralis aud Absalom Par
ker's up in the wood lots, chopin
down trees for winter arewoOd.-
It's good idee. Pm glad I hap
pened to think of it,
He drew rein opposite the At
kins house. All was dark and
quiet there save one red light that
burned in old Mr.. Atkins bed
room.
At that identical moment, had be
but known it, Absalom Parker
the old mans general factotum-
was hanging over the garden gate
of his own place, talking to pretty
Nancy among the purple dahlIas
and quilled asters.
And it was no difficult task for
a man of John Moppet's physical
strength skillfuIly to lift tue CID
stove out OF Its place IN the outer
shed into his wagon.
"Glt up, Prince" be muttered
to his horse, shaking the reins, and
away they went.
Elder Meachan was not quite
satisfied with the bargain. The
church brethren, too, would have
preferred new stove, considering
the money they had spent; bu'
Brother Moppet was a man in au
thoritv, and they were compelled
to acquiesce in his choice.
Nancy was delighted with th'
new ACQUISITION for the best room
"Oh, isn't it pretty I" said she.
"Yes," nodded Mr.. Moppet, rub
bing his hands, "it'll sort o. dres
up the room Tor your weuuln''
"My weddIngp
"Jest 80 Pve arranged matter
with Webster WixOn, audi
Nancy burst into tears, and raj
ont of the room.
Mr.. Moppet glared balefully 81
ter her.
"She shall marry him !" muttere'
he, "or she shall be no darter
mine won't be sot at dehsnc
by-Why helloa, Absalom Parker
what brings you heref"
"Mr. Atkins is took iwus
this AFTERNOON" said Absalom
standing at the doorway, like
rustic Apollo. "Wants to see y
right of ~
1t was Saturday afternoon. A
Mr.. Moppet drove by the churc
:, door he saw the load OF wood beln
delivered for the first fire Of th
season.
"Jest in time p said he to hiu
, self. "There's a frosty feel in I'll
- air."
Grandfather Atkins lay anon
his pillows, like q wrlnkled Ol
ghost.