The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1889-08-31

the Widow Jones was arrayed in a
very plain calico, which, at the ut
most, could not have cost more than
ninepence per yard.
"You must excuse the plainness of
my dress. Mr.. Appleton" said she,
"but don't approve of rich dresses.
A calico is just as warm as silk, or,
at any rate there isn't much differ
ence, and there's Il great deal of dif-
erence in the price"
Hiram was delighted.
"YOu're sensible woman, Mrs.
JONES'" said he.---@Y0u'ye got soul
abuve the majority of your SEX"
THANK you, Mr.. Appleton" said
the widow, demureIy. II don't take
no credit to myself for it. It's nat
ural to me. 1t makes me sick to see
how fond most women are of flum-
merry. and putting all they can earn
on their back"
"That's a fact" said Hiram. "Just
the effect it has on me. Now, Mrs.
JONES'" this he said in confidential
tone, chow long do you think Iye
made this coat do for best ?''
Mrs. Jones couldn't possibly tell.
"Ips lasted ten years." said Hiram,
with belonging pride. "Ten years,
and it's "a good coat yet"
80 it is" said the widow, land
| commend your prudence, Mr.. APP
pieton. owlong DO you think it is
since | bought this dress ?"
Hiram ventured to guess five
years"
"Y0u're wrong" said the widow,
shaking her head. II had it just
twelve years ago, come spring."
Mrs. Jones did not think it neces-
Sary to mention that, although it had
been bought at that time, it had been
cast aside some 10 years since, and
had only been resuscitated for the
sake of producing AL impression on
Mr.. Appleton.
"TWelYe years ~ exclaimed Hiram
in Il glow of admiration. YOU'RE a
perfect treasure, Mrs. Jones'"
LA. now, you don't mean it, said
the widow, baShfully.
"Yes, [ do. and you're the woman
I've been seeking for years fOra wife.
So lovely and so-econOmical ! Dear
widow Jones, may | hope that you
will favor me with your hand-that
you will become Mrs. Appleton ?'
"ThiS is so unexpected" murmur.
ed the widow "and yet | feel that a
man of your just sentiments and pru-
] dent habits is not to be sighted, !
will accept your offer in the SAME
spirit in which it is made"
"There is one other thing" said
Hiram, after a short pause. "that ]
should like to mention, / am d
straightforward man. and l want
everything to be understood. Would
you have any objection to taking a
few boarder5 after we are married :''
mot the slightest" said the wild
oW, Indeed | intended to mention
something of the sort to YOU"
"Did you, though, really ?" in
quired Hiram with delight.
Eyes, the fact is, Mr.. Appleton,
am social by temperament, and it is
rather agreeable than otherwise to
have a large family about me-"
Hiram began to think that the
widow Was an admirable woman,
and he could not have made Il better
match if he had sought the world
over.
I'm the course of time" said he to
himself. 81 shouldn't wonder if it
proved thousands of dollars in my
pocket. af I could only have met
with such a woman 20 years ago.
IlUWeNeIs bt'lltI IulS tiidI IIcNtI
Preparations were fastened for the
wedding. Hiram feared that some.
thing would turn up to prevent the
marriage. on which he had set his
heart. AS for the widow, she made
no serious objections. And, accord
ingly, one morning they rode over to
the minister's and were united with
out any display. Hiram wore the
same blue coat with brass buttons
which had served him so long and
faithfully.
ut looks we'll enough" he said.
land there isn't any use going to any
foolish expense"
The widow was dressed in plain
delaine, with no ornaments.
"How much shall / give you ?
asked Hiram of the Clergyman who
had united them.
"Whateyer you please" said the
clergyman, politely.
"How much does the law allow ~
persisted Hiram.
zone dollar and quarter"
"Then.D said Hiram. "here's a