Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1890-01-14
ghe aiy gao1e gnesday ornus, aauuary H.

ticle of apparel were 50 wide and long. they
waved and tapped 50 when their wearer
moved that they were almost awe inspiring.
Mehitable, in spite Of the great significance
of this visit, suddenly found her mind almost
completely occupied by the wonder as to
where Mr.. Smith found that coat Did they
have those coats ready made anywherei
Could any man go and get ouea
AS for the rest Of this persons dress. his
black pantaloors were very short and small,
as if all the cloth had been used in the coat,
and his shirt front bulged q great deal, and
seemed threatening to crack
1t had an eject as if it we're veneered
Mrs. Green made some inquiries about the
hen business, and found that Mr.. Smith had
permanently taken the place Of that young
man who had gone up" He was only driver
now, but he ''fggered on girtin' in with the
boSn
After while Mrs Green suggested that
the front room was probably warm enough
now, and Mehitable conducted her suitor
into that apartment where they both sat
down somewhat awkwar6ly. But Mr. Smith
was too much accustomed TO this "kind OF
thing" as be would have said, to be much at
a loss. He did not attempt the sentimental
He talked a good deal about what an
advantage it would be for them two
women TO have jest the kind of man
he was come there and set the old farm ter
goIn' agin. He said be should bring his COW
over, n his pigs, and M'hitable could take
care of EN- while he was pickin' up hens.
His children were all shrkln' for themselves
now, though his youngest was only Il.
As she listened to him Mehitable was con-
Scio1rS of thu ~ry-,rxzS of
point and exultation. Sheexulsed over
the mere fact that she now had gentleman
friend" of her own, and there he MAS vis,hly
before her. Still there was an underlying
sense that this mere fact WAS not 50 very
interesting after all Was it SO hacking in
interest to every womani she couldn't
understand it N the least She tried to listen
when he reisted how much meal he gave his
COW, and when he expressed a firm convic-
ton that shorts did cr1tter more harm
than good"
HIS upper lip was certainly very dreadful,
and it was particularly dreadful when he
smiled She supposed she should marry harm,
of course. 1t was almost rs good rs an en-
gaganent that she had allowed HIM TO come
on Sunday night, and she knew<he thought
so. Her mind went forward 70 the time when
the name on her membership card from Miss
Mehitable Green TO Mrs Alphonso Smith.
What would be her sensations at mernent
like that?
Would her mother rule Parnotsas she,had
ruled every one with whom she bad ever
lfveda Why did Parrot-gooking at his
mouth she found herself Obliged, inevitably,
to call him thus-propso to come to his
BRIDES home instead Of taxing his bride to
his homes Shecould not know that fore
closure Of q mortgage was about TO take
place at the Smith estate.
After her guest had conversed an hour
about CRITTERS" and hens. and cotton seed
meal, and cracked corn, aud kindred sub
jects, and she had done her best to listen and
reply occasionally, it became evident that
the visitor was getting very sleepy. His sen
fences grew more isofnted, 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 sesHIed an in
terminable time, the clock struck nine. Mr..
Smith tried 10 sit while longer. then be de-
cided mentally that it was pesky foolish
thing 70 spend much time In courtin Mhiso-
bic Green. He rose from bis chair, saying
something to the effect that his ''h0ss was
mighty uneasy if 1t was out much, n he
s'posed he'd better be gofu':: n he s'posed it
vas al settled between e1n and he'd come
over next Sunday night agin, n she might
have talk with her mother, " be sure m
tell the old lady't he meant the fair thing
by EN- both, n they needed a man. When
he come agfn they'd set the day, Rs twaut
no Use putin things OF when they knew
their own minds; n he'd Hike to git settled
all comfortable fore New Years"
9e stood looking at 4ehitable where she
still sat in her chair, with her work worn
hands folded tightly on her hap.
Il guess it's all settled, amt itr be said
She looked UP at him, her honest patient
eyes having an unusual appearance under her
fiuffed hair
Il guess It's she said, feebiy
~Au right, then" be responded with brisk
ness, 'fn be s-goin," and ne walked out Of
the room
She did not follow him. She remained
quiet. She heard him busting ON with bis
coat and talking 10 her mother; then the out
side kitchen door shut, and soon after came
the sound of horse and wagon leaving the
yard.
She was engaged She kept telling hexse,f
that she was engaged, while she wns doing
the little things she did every night before
going to bed.
In half an hour she WIS upstairs- Her
mother had continued nrniafle She would
try to inform her In the morning. 1t would
be time enough IN the morning.
1t was between 12 end / O'Clock In the
night that MIS- Green became aware that
her daughter was standing beside her couch,
with bed comforter wrapped a4sout her,
and bohinrg the lighted lamp IN hrr hand
Mother" exclaimed Mehitab1e with eI-
paofSfve forrn, you tell hirn can't DO It,
can't do n, n I won't, won,sg'
Mrs. Green smiled as Son ssshe coald re-
cover berssif sufficiently to do-so.
$50 you've ben an ilrgagod yourself, have
yer
-Yes, bat amt goiT 70 stay engaged,
csmt bear him I-oh-motssr, you tel
him"
Mehitahie showed symptoms Of hysierical
sobhng.
Her mother reached cut and patted her
daughters arm
"Door you wrry,' sbs said, ''rhe Farrs- |
worths amt afraid of nosnio', n ainat hved
TO tins day 20 be afraASca inst Pasrutssulth. |
guess III teil him | Want gcio' to fsthnn |
git We. anyway Hiss art1 this farm III |
tel him it was left 30 ma, N l en- viii Il |
where plezse, "a si.sAaT VIII j. te F.rro4 |
Smiths with 6zkes. did ye thiuk ! d5irl't |
know what WIS up tor Go - bed, ehiid |
Wei git bong here By Ourselves a speIl |
longer, rorknn'
Must Il Be confessed that. as Miss Green /
againcnmbed the nzrrow yellow .1afr. Ia Tie /
rsitktof Der sezsatsoz1s Of rss,ef, there was g |
dull pzng THAI Ter mother sr.1uid have /
thought. and have sssd, thae this gentleznsn /
friend was @arter the f2rruv-Fsw York /
Trfnwne