Evening journal., 1890-01-07


indeed to bear. Not that Miss Green was
fastidious in such matters. Still she could |
not control fleeting wish that Mr. Smiths |
coats had agreed with each other better.
When, however, his outer garment was re-
moved, and she had hung it on a nail ia the |
back entry where she used to hang her
fathers bat, she saw. as her visitor stood rub |
bling his hands by the cook stove, that she
ought not to blame him for not having any
thing long enough to conceal the immense ex-
tent OF his frock coat. The skirts Of that ar
ticle OF apparel were so wide and long, they
waved and tapped so 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 anywherel
Could any man go and get onel
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 a great deal, and
seemed threatening 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
iidn VIM nttA Sbnt ne WIS only
now, but he "figgered on gittin' in with the
boss"
After while Mrs Green suggested that
the front room was probably warm enough
now, and Mehitable conducted her sutton
into that apartment, where they both sat
down somewhat nwkwardly But Mr. Smith
was too much accustomed to this "kind of
thing as he would have said, to be much at
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 a 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 shirkin' for themselves
now, though his youngest was only u.
As she listened to him Mehitable was CON
scious of the most curious mixture Of disap-
pointment and exultation. She exulted over
the mere fact that she now had a gentleman
FRIEND Of her own, and there he was visibly
before her Still there was an underlying
sense that this mere fact was not so very
interesting after ell. Was it so lacking in
interest to every womanl She couldn't
understand it in the least. She tried to listen
when he related how much meal he gave his
cow, and when he expressed a firm convic-
ton that shorts did a critter more harm
| than good.
His upper lip was certainly very dreadful,
and it was particularly dreadful when he
smiled. She supposed she should marry him,
| of course. 1t was almost as good as an en-
| gagement that she had allowed him TO come
on Sunday night, and she knew be thought
/ so. Her mind went forward to the time when
she should have to ask the librarian to change
the name on her membership card from Mis-
Mehitable Green to Mrs. Alphonso Smith
| What would be her sensations at moment
like thatl
Would her mother rule Parrot as she had
ruled every one with whom she had even
1 livedl Why did Parrot-looking at his
mouth she found herself obliged, mentally
| to call him thus-propose TO come to hr
| brides home instead of taking his bride K
his hosnes She could not know that fore
closure Of mortgage was about 10 talk
place at the Smith estate.
/ After her guest had conversed an houi
about CRITTERS and hens, and cotton sees
meal, and cracked corn, and kindred sub
iects, and she had done her besc TO listen ant
reply occasionally, it became evident tina
the visitor was getting very sleepy. His sen
fences grew more isolated, 50 to speak, AM
he would close his eyes for some minutes
then open them with a snap, and hold hi
head up straight. After what seemed an in
terminable time, the clock struck nine MI
|, Smith tried to sit while longer, then he dc
cided mentally that it was pesky FOOLS
thing to spend much time in counting M'hita
BILE Green. He rose from his chair, sayin
something to the effect that his 'hoss wa
mighty uneasy il it was out much, m
g sAposed he'd better be goin'; N he s'posed
r was all settled between em, and he'd com
over next Sunday night agin, IA ssae migt
j have a talk with her mother, m be sure !
Q tell the old lady't he meant the fair thin
q by EN- both, m they needed a man. Whe
Q he come ag'in they'd set the day, as 'twal
no use putin things of when they kne
r their own minds; m he'd like 70 git settl'
}, all comfortable fore New Years.
He stood looking at Mehitable, whore 81
e still sat in her chair, with her work wol
hrnds folded tightly on her lap.
% Il guess it's all settled, amt it9T he said.
d She looked up at him, her honest, pate
. eyes having an unusual appearance under h
d fuffed hair.
h II guess it's she said. feebly.
It San right, them he responded, with bris
= ness, am be a-goin', 4" and he walked out
it the room.
AZ She did not follow him. She remain
Quiet. She heard him busting on with
re coat and talking to her mother; then the Of
u side kitchen door shut, and soon after car
he the sound Of horse and wagon leaving I
"a yard.
"a She was engaged She kept telling hers
v, that she was engaged, while she was dol
che little things she did every night befS
xt going to bed
at In half an hour she was upstairs I
r. mother hssd continued amiabae- She won
- try to inform her in the morning II VOL
IN Ne time enough in tho morning.
er II was between 70 and I O'Clock in
~ night that Mrs Green became aware Il
OF her daughter was standing beside her ooui
at with a bed comforter wrapped about b
10 and holdAng the lighted lamp IN her hand.
ID ssMother," exclaimed Mehitabie with
pBoeive force, s'you tell him Cant do I
he can't do it, N won't I won't~
nv Mrs. Green smiled as soon as-she coufd
I'd cover herself sufficiently 70 DO so
vas $50 you've ben am ingnged yourself, hi
Ike yes"
ak YES. but amt gotMexo stay engages
in cant bear him I-oh-Amother, you
ow htmF
be Mehitable showed symptoms Of hyster-
he sobbing.
one Her. mother reached out and patted
ian daughters arm
her 'tDon't You worry" she said, '.the Fai
worths amt afraid Of nothin', m / amt Ii
les 10 this day TO be afraidof that Parrot SIN
uid guess. Ill tell him ] wa'n't goin' TO letl
nd. git ye. anyway. He's arter this farm.
| tell him il was left to me, m / en- vii
80 x.,hora ,,laoea ~ chatr,sh rul1 IL ~ po1