Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1889-08-01
Mechancsown Frederick County, Maryland Thursday August l88s

| u
She's as industrious creetur as you
eyer saw. Always has work in hel
hand
There's one thing l want to know
about, said Hiram anxiously. is she
fond of dress? I don't know much
about it, but I've heard that some vim
min spend ght on their dress. Now
I can't stand that anyhow. l calculate
that my wite--if l ever have anY--shall
dress decent, but as to silk dresses, and
gold chains, and such, they won't come
out of me.
Mrs. FELTON, assured the inquirer
that no one could be more simple in
her tastes than her cousln-an assur.
ance which gratifed Mr.. Appleton ex.
ceedingly.
You needn't tell her what I've been
saying SAID Hiram. I'll come in a.
gain two or three times, and see how |
like her wavs, and if I do III propose
pretty quick
You'd better, said Mrs. FELTON,, 'fo1
there's no knowing how soon somebody
else may pick her up.
Instead of regarding Hiram's injunc.
ton, Mrs. FELTON, straightway communi.
Gated the substance Of the conference tc
the widow.
Now it so happened, for reasons
which will appear, that the widow was
by no means lndisposed to a second
marriage, and on hearing that Hiram
was man of property, she concluded
to "set her cap for him
you must appear to be very indus
trious and economical said Mrs. Eel.
ton. He laid particular stress on that.
Don't fear for me- said her cousin
1T takes widow to manage the men.
When Hiram made his second call
the Widow Jones was arrayed in very
plain calico, which, at the utmost, could
not have cost more than nine pence pei
yard
You must excuse the plainness o.
my dress, Mr.. Appleton, said she, but
l don't approve of rich dresses. A cal
leo Just as a silk, or, at any rate there
isn't much difference, and there is a
great deal of difference in the price,
Hiram was delighted.
You re sensible woman, Mrs. Jones
said he. You've got a soul above the
majority OF your SEX
THANK You, Mr.. Appleton said the
widow demurely. I don t take no cred
it to myself tor it. It's natural to me
1t .nakes me sick to see how fond most
women are of hummery, and putting
all they can earn on their. back
That's fact said Hiram. That's
Just the effect it has on me. Now, Mrs
JONES' this he said in u copfdentia
tone. how long do you think have
made this coat do Tor best.
Mrs. Jones couldn't possibly tell.
It's lasted ten years. said Hiram
with becoming pride. Ten years, and
it's good coat yet.
80 it is, said the widow, and com
mend your prudence, Mr.. Appleton
how long do you think it is since I bot
this dress?'
Hiram ventured to guess five years.
You're wrong, 'sald the widow, shak
ing her head. 4 had it just twelve yrs
ago, coming spring.
Mrs Jones did not think it necessary
to mention that, although it had beer
bought at that time, it had been cast
aside some 10 years since, and had only
been resuscitated for the sake of pro.
ducing an impression on Mr.. Appleton
Twelve years!' exclaimed Hiram II
glow of admiration. You're a perfect
treasure, Mrs. Jones'
La. now, you don't mean it, said the
widow, bashiully.
Yes, l do, and you're the woman I've
been seeking for years for wife. Sc
lovely and so-economical? Dear Wild
ow Jones, may | hope that you will IA
yor me with your hand-that you will
become Mrs. Appleton
This is so unexpected. murmured
the widow, 'and yet | feel that a man
of your just sentiments and prudent
habits is not to be slighted. will &C
cept your offer in the same spirit in
which it is made
There is one other thing said Hi
ram, after Il short pause, that / should
like to mention. l am straightforward
man, and l want everything to be un'
derstood. Would You haye any objcc
ton to taking u few boarders after We
are married ?
Not the slightest said the widow