The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1890-05-01

cuserS as they stood before him. "Me-
Observation-Disclosures? Me, Pc
ter P. Pillsberry, a-goin' to marry
Calisty Newton?"
''It's in every body's mouth" said
Mrs. Gibson Downing. "They say you
stop at her home half an hour at time
every day." said Dorinda.
20, pa!' cried Miss Becky. The son
said nothing, but looked volumes.
Uncle Peter stared at all of them for
moment and then said:
You're hoIlerin' fore you're hurt,
children; that's what you're a-doin'; Mis-
Newton amt no more idee O marryin'
me thar she has O. marryin' the man in
the moon. l amt never mentioned mar
riage'talk to her nor to no other woman
on top O the earth, but you're dead an
gone ma, an she amt ON top O. the
earth now"
The fears of the children were at
once allayed, for they knew their IA
ther to be an absolutely truthful man.
Their faces frightened as he rose and
turned to leave the room, and they
didn't mind it much when he stopped at
But don't you try to dictate to me,
children; don't you ever try that agin."
The injured look left his face soon
after he reached the stable and began
rubbing old Bally down. He chuckled
as he rubbed and patted the old horse.
"Me marry Calisty," he said to him
self. "Well, I'd like to know who in
creation started that pack O. lies to
goin'. Old Hat Gibbons, I'll be bound!
Calisty wouldn't have me if l asked
her. l bet she wouldn't The idee of it!'
The Widow Newton was at that mo-
ment greatly perplexed and discouraged.
She was neat, comely woman of fifty,
and she lived alone in cozy little old
brown house with few acres of ground
around it. Her four married sons and
daughters lived in homes of their own
near by. Each of them had in turn in
vited and urged their mother to come
and live with them, but she had persist
emily refused, although she was gentle,
mild-faced woman of a somewhat Weld
ing spirit
Il want home of my own," she
would say; 1--WE been mistress of a
home, such as tits, for more'n thirty
years and I'd never be satisfied to have
home somebody else was mistress Of
Here can do as please and there's no
body to say me nay. If l want batter
cakes for breakfast or riz biscuits for
tea, has Them an may be wouldn't in
somebody else's house. Its lonesome
sometimes, I'll allow, but there's worse
feelings than lonesomeness. Anyhow,
I've got plenty to live comfortable OF
and that's good deal to be thankful
for"
When her husband had died three
years before the time our story begins,
he had in his will left his wife his en-
tire possessions with the exception of
small requests to each of his children,
who had felt themselves greatly ag-
grieved thereby, although they were all
in very comfortable circumstances.
Mrs Newton was sitting Dy her ia
vorite window in her favorite rocking
chair sewing carpet rags when her
daughter, Mrs. Lucinda Evans, came in
somewhat hurriedly followed by an
other daughter, Mrs. Betty Higgins.
La! girls" said their mother. in a
surprised tone; I'D no idee of seeing
either of you on Tuesday and it your
regular ironing day. Set down."
Il amt got time" replied Betty,
coldly, 81 just run over to find out if
this story about you and old Pete
Pillsberry is true"
That's just what come for" said
Lucinda Evans. II come by brother
Henry's home, and sister Hetty was
there and they're waiting for me to
come back and tell them what you say.
Is it true, ma, that you and old Peter
are going to be married?"
Mrs Newton gave q shrill little
scream and threw up both hands while
her ball Of rags fell to the floor and
rolled across the room leaving a line of
green and red and blue behind it
'Cindy Evans" gasped Mrs. Newton,
'what are you and your sister Betty
talking about? Are you crazy? Am I
going to marry Uncle Peter Pillsberry?
The land of the livingv'
She threw her green and white ging-
ham apron over her head and began to
rock to and fro, half crying, half laugh
ing. With her head still covered she
finally said, sharply:
go home, girls, 60 home, and stop
and tell Hetty and Henry and every
body else you meet that amt going to
marry nobody till I've been asked, and
I amt been asked yet"
She fell to laughing hysteric ally, and
Betty said, sharply:
''Well, l think it'd be a burning shame
for you to marry anybody even if you
was asked"
Eyes, and old Peter Pillsberry of all
men!"
Mrs Newton took her apron from her
burning face and said, firmly:
"You hush right up about Uncle
Peter, Cindy Evans; he's as good and
honest an old man as ever lived. Your
father thought the world of him. But
you can just set your minds at rest
about him, he amt no more idee of
marrying than have. The idee of itp
The girls went home in greater peace
of mind than they had known when
coming to see their mother, since they
now felt confident that their share of
the three thousand dollars their mother
had in the bank was not to be lessened
by the possible claims of step-father.
The smile on Uncle Peters face deep
ened the next day as he drew near the
Widow Newton's house while making
his daily rounds. He stopped singing:
Here we are but straying pilgrims"
and began on lively ditty about
"a lady fair
With nut brown hair, -
Oh, tummy vi yum,
Oh, tummy vi yum, |
vi yum di de do"
The Widow Newton heard him COM
ing and bushes came to her plump
cheeks.
II Shsu't let ON that I've heard any