The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1889-10-04

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village.
Me engaged to Naomi Nutting,'
said the squire ''Well, it's the first
I've heerd of it."
Naomi Nutting gong to marry
that old widower!" said John Scarsby.
What nonsensei You told me your
self. mother, that she denied it up and
down"
Yes" said Mrs. Scarsby, a little
doubtfully, ''but that's what they al
ways do. 1t would be a great thing for
Naomi Nutting"
I'll never believe it," said John.
The old love affair between him and
Naomi Nutting was dead and gone
long ago, but something in the preva-
lent atmosphere seemed to fan the
faint spark of its ashes into new life.
John Scarsby remembered how black
and bright her eyes once were, and
what a trim little figure she had.
While the squire, meditating on the
perfect, dazzling cleanliness of Naomi's
dairy, and the efficiency with which
she had set out the violet roots and
the strawberry creepers, said TO him
self:
Il don't know but that might do
worse To be sure, she's a poor. soli-
tary, friendless creetur. without any
property. except that old mortgage
ridden farm. But / cant get no hired
girl short of eleven dollars 4 month,
and it is sort o. lonesome settin' on
the stoop of eveuin' all alone. She's
been brought up economical. too. and
won't want to spend any more money
than she can help. That's a great
thing
And the squire brushed his lank
hair more carefully than ever over the
glossy dome of his bald Uranium, and
considered seriously the propriety of
dying his grizzy beard.
Mother" said John Scarsbv, that
day. ''it isn't right for you to do all
the housework by yourself It's too
much for you"
LA, John, / do hope you amt
thinkin' of hirin' a helpr' exclaimed
Mrs. Scarsby, in dismay .'Of all the
shiftless, idle. wasteful things
We've got to do something. moth
err" said John. Il can't let you work
yourself out"
1t was all true John Scarsby had
said the same thing time and again TO
his mother; but he said it now with
genuine earnestness. looking at her
as he did so, and secretly wondering
how he should break to her the It'd
! ings of an impending daughter-in-law.
And Naomi Nutting, of all persons,
the woman whom Mrs. Scarsbv al
ways designated as 'that poor forlorn
maid"
John was brave man, but there
are more kinds of courage than one.
Mrs Scarsby cried over the butter
beans she was cutting up for dinner.
Il won't have a help in the house"
thought she. IF John really wants
a woman around, why can't he get
married? And l don't know no smart
er girl than Naomi Nutting. I've n
great mind to go over and see if she
can't break that ere contract with
Squire Bagshot | wish l dared TO
speak right out to John about it. He
used TO like Naomi, but men are
queer
Naomi had just come in from weed
ing her late-onion patch the next even
ing, when the squire arrived, all IN
his best
Coed evening. squire" said Miss
Nutting. '.Sit down till I light the
lamp"
Don't light it" said the squire.
sheepishly. I'm partial to the twi-
light"
Il amt" said Naomi. II mostly
like to see what I'm doing. You've
come about business. ] supposc?"
..Ahem-ycs,' admitted the squire
Although he had told himself all day
long that Naomi Nutting would
certainly Jump at his offer. he could
not subdue a certain nervousness at
the last moment Very important
businessr'
Rat-tat-tat-t-t-ti came knock on
the panels of the Iilac-shaped front
door.
john Scarsby. arriving close on the
heels of the squire, had perceived the
necessity for Immediate action.
He was flushed. and breathed hard
with rapid walking. but he had
screwed his courage up.
Naomi" said he. "can / speak to
you for one minute?n
Naomi, holding the lamp in one
hand, stared hard at him.
I'm engaged just now," said she.
"Engaged?"
Squire Bagshot is here"
Il won't keep you long" said
John. Il only want one word"
ANY thing happened?" questioned
Naomi
no. but" John drew quick
breath of vexation and embarrass-
ment ''Wiu you hear me out.
Naomi?''
The squire, in the front room.
cleared his throat loudly as Naomi
conducted John into the back kitchen
Now, then" said she. What is
it?''
Did ever lover WOO maiden before
under such discouraging circumstances
as these?
John fixed his eyes on the copper
boiler, and blurted out his tender
confession at once.
1t was an awkward proceeding, but
it was inevitable.
Naomi" said he. Il want a wife
VIII you have me?''
mo, thankee, John" said Miss
Nutting.
John stared at her, and uttered a
gasp.
What did you say?" stammered he
Il said nor
/ I'm too late, am l?' he uttered,
| despairingly-
We'll, yes, you are.n
''Hadnt you better think it ove.2''
We'll, it wouldn't be no use.
John went away completely DUN
founded, and Naomi went back TO the
+, squire.