Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1889-08-30
showed set of teeth as white and

Palmleaf."
$50 l have always heard" said
the widow.
That evening after Mr.. Wiggle.
ton had returned from discussing
the mOmentous question of sandy
soil, ,bulbuos roots and cresents and
circles, he found lothian on the
front porch contentedly breathing
the flower. scented air.
"A very pretty woman. that Mrs.
Palmleaf, JOtham,' said the en-
plOyer; not because there was any
congeniality of soul, but because
he could have talked to the gate
post If lothian hadn't happened to
be there.
"Well, nobody doubts that, as
ever heard on,' said lothian,
with his elbows on his knees and
his face complacently turned to-
ward the full moon.
"And she can't be over 3O.'
$50 | should a. said myself" as
Sented lothian.
"I'm glad she's taken the cottage
on a long lease, Jotham,' pursued
Mr. WiggletOn. 81 like good neigh
bOrs."
"Most folks does" observed
lothian.
And he got up shaking himself
like a great Newfoundland dog
and went into the house, leaving
Mr.. Wiggleton to the companion
ship Of his own cogitatloDs.
There are times in which solitude
is said to be the best company.
Perhaps this was one of those spec
ial occasions, in the estimation Of
JOtham Hardcatle.
The summer went by the great
maple in front of the WiggletOn
mansion 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.
Palmleat had LAID down the rocky
bit of uphill ground IN spring
wheat instead of winter rye.
JOtham." said Mr., WiggletOn
to his farm hand one evening; it
was tue first time they had had a
fire on the wide, oldtashloned
hearth.
"Wen"
81 have concluded 1t isn't best
for you to live here at the house
any longer"
"What's going to happeni' said
Jotham. " You amt goin' to hire
another hand, be you ?"
"No; to be sure not. You suit
me admirably, lothian, Only"-and
Mr.. Wiggleton shot the words out
with an effort-"I am thinking of
getting married."
ooh :"
OTIS rather late in life, to be
sure" SAID Mr. WiggletOn, conscious
of looking extremely sheepish, "but
you know, lothian, it's never too
late to do a good thing"
Certainly not"
"YOu ought to get married, Joth-
ham," added his employer, speak
ing in a rather rapid and embar-
rassed manner.
"Thlnk 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.
"ADd your wife could take care
of the cream and butter. and all
that sort of thing, for us. It isn't
likely Mrs. P.-ahem lit isn't
likely, mean, that my wife will
care for such things"
"Humph ~
"I'd advise you to turn the thing
all over in your mind, JOtham,'
said Mr.. Wiggleton.
eyes, ! will" said lothian with
a little cough.
The next morning Mr.. WiggletOn
attlred himself in his best suit and
went to the cottage.
Mrs. Palm!eat received him In a
charming wrapper, with ribbons to
match.
Mr. Wiggleton wasted no time
in useless preliminary chitOhat.
"Mrs. Palmleaf, ma'am," he be-
gan, a little nervously, 81 have
concluded to change my condition"
wndeed y said the widow, smil-
ing like an open rose. 81 am so
glad to hear it,"
"And i am here this morning to
ask you to be my wife !" pursued
our hero, boldly.
"YOu are kind, sir,0 said Mrs
Palmleaf, blushing, and looking
prettier than ever, "bnt II really
cOuldn'tp
"And why not: ," demanded Mr..
Wiegleton, fairly taken aback by
this unexpected answer.
81 am engaged" owned up the
charming widow, playing with the
ribbons at her belt.
"Mlght dare ask--that Is"
uOh aartainIv Ita Lothian