The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1890-01-11

u6 lmnlCuAatCAy OlSdppcdIcu, dAu
was evidently fstan.i in his boss in the
barn" When he returned Mehitable
WAS in the kitchen and he shook hands
with great cordiality with both women,
and said with great gusto that he had
an idea that two women alone so might
be lonesome like, n he jest dropped in
to be sociable
He unwounG a gray comforter" from
his neck, and as he did so one might
have observed that his overcoat was not
as long, BIZ about foot, as the garment
beneath it. This kind of disparity in
length does not give an agreeable ap-
pearance to a gentleman, and when a
lover appears with this relatively wrong
position OF coat skirts it is very hard in
deei to bear. Not that Miss Green Was
fastidious in such matters. Still she
could not control heeting wish that
Mr. Smiths coats had agreed with each
other better.
When, however, his outer garment
was removed, and she had hung it on a
nail in the back entry, where she used
to hang her fathers hat, she saw, as her
visitor stood rubbing his hands by the
cookstove, that she ought not to blame
him for not having anything long
enough to cover the immense extent of
his frock coat. The skirts of that article
of apparel were so wide and long, they
waved and tapped go when their wear
er moved, that they were almost awe
inspiring. Mehitible, in spite of the
great significance of this visit, suddenly
found her mind almost completely oc-
cupied by the wonder as to where Mr..
Smith found that coat. Did they have
those coats ready-made anywhere :?
Could any man 90 and get one?
AS for the rest of this persons dress,
his black pantaloons were very short
and small, as if all the cloth had been
used in the coat, and his shirt-front
bulged great deal, and seemed threat
ening to crack.
1t had an effect as if it were veneered.
Mrs. Green made some inquiries
about the hen business, and found that
Mr.. Smith had permanently taken the
place of that young man VINO had "gone
up." He was only driver now, but he
Figured on gittin' in with the boss"
After while Mrs. Green suggested
that the front room was probably warm
enough now, and Mehitab!e conducted
her suitor into that apartment, where
they both sat down somewhat awkward
ly. But Mr.. Smith was too much accas-
toned to this kind of thing" as he
He did not attempt the sentimental.
He tllked a good deal about what an
advantage it would be for them two wo-
men to have Jest the kind of man he
was come there and set the old farm ter
goin' agin'. He said he should bring
his cow over, m his pigs, and M'hitable
could take care of 'em while he was
pickin' up hens. His children were all
shirk in for themselves now, though his
youngest was only II.
AS she listened to him Mihitable was
conscious of the most curious mixture OF
disappointment and exultation- She
exulted over the mere fact that she
now had gentle man friend' of her
own. and there he was visible before
her. Still there was an underlying
sense that this mere fact was not SC
very interesting, after all. Was it SO
lacking in interest to every woman
She tried to listen when he related how
much meal he gave his cow and when
he expressed a firm conviction that
shorts did a critter more harm than
good"
Ellis upper lip was certainly very
dreadful, and it was particularly dread
should marry him of course. 1t was al
most as good as an engagement that she
had allowed him to come on Sunday
night, and she knew he thought SO.
Her mind went forward to the time
when she should have to ask the libra
rian to change the name on her mem
bershlp card from Miss Mehitabie
Green to Mrs. Alphonso Smith. What
would be her sensations ct moment
like that
Would her mother rule Parrot as she
had ruled everyone with whom she had
ever lived? Why did Parrot-looking
at his mouth she found herself obliged
mentally, to call him thus propose to
come to his brides home instead of TAX
ing his bride to his home? She could
not know that a foreclosure of a mort
gage WIS about to take place at the
Smith estIte.
After her guest had conversed an
hour about critters and hens, and cot
ton-seed meal, and cracked corn and
kindred subjects, and she had done her
best to listen and reply occasionally, it
became evident that the visitor was get
ting sleepy. His sentences grew more
isolated, so to speak, and he would close
his eyes for some minutes, then open
them with a snap. and hold his head up
straight. After what seemed an inter
minable time, the clock struck Q. Mr..
Smith tried to sit a while longer, then
he decided mentally that it was pesky
foolish thing to spend much time In
counting NJ 'hitable Green. He 70 e
from his chair, saying something to the
effect that his ''hoss was mighty uneasy
if it was out much, N he 'sposed he'd
better be gcin'; m he s'posed it was all
settled between 'em, and he'd come
over next sunday night ag'in, m she
might have talk with her mother, m
be sure N tell the old lady It he meant
the fair thing by 'em both, n they
needed man. When be come ag'ir
they'd set the day, as 'twa'n't no use
put n things off when they knew THEN
own minds; n he'd like to git settled
all com Portable before New Years. y
He stood looking at Mehitable, where
she still sat in her chair with her work
worn hands folded tightly on her lap.
~ guess it'sall settled, amt it?' he
said.
She looked up at him, her honest, pa
tent eyes having an unusual appear
ance under her hufed hair.
81 guess It's" she said feebly.
"All right them" be responded with
briskness, "I'll be a-goin'," and he
walked out of the room. She hearc
MN DHStllHS Oh Will Ills COdI dut TAIN
ing to her mother; then the outside
kitchen door shut, and soon after came
the sound of horse and wagon leaving
the yard.
She was engaged She kept tellins
herself that she was engaged, while she
was doing the little things she did ev
cry night before going to bed.
In half an hour she was upstairs
Her mother had continued amiable
She would try to inform her in The
morning. 1t would be time enough il
the morning.
She stood a moment and looked in the
glass. She had become engaged sincs
she had seen her own reflection last
Finally she blew out the light and crep
i'll between the homemade flame
sheets.
1t was between u and ! o'clock il
| the night that Mrs. Green tecam'
| aware that her daughter was staadin!
beside her couch. with bed comtorte
| wrapped about her, and holding til,
| lighted lamp in her hand.
| Mother" exclsimed Mehitable Will