News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1891-11-05

So Mr.. Corbin's quietude was {
second time interrupted by Mr.. Greg
ory, eager and smiling.
II guess, parson, said he, give got
somethin' as'll suit you this time =
F" For-?" Mr.. rbinlooked inquir.
ingly up.
- For the donation party, said the
farmer "It's my 'Marthy."
"Sir!" exclaimed the clergyman, in
surprise.
"They tell me you like her." said
Mr.. Gregory, in an off-hand manner.
81 do, said the clergyman every
much, indeed. You can hardly tell
how much but"
Then you're welcome to her, said
the farmer.
''To-"
''To my MalthyI'" beamed Mr..
Gregory. ''Shall bring her around
here?"
by no means," said Mr.. Corbin,
i hurriedly IL would much prefer to
soc her--If you really arc in earnest.
at the farm house."
"Never was more in earnest in nv
life, ;, said Mr.. Gregory, rubbing his
hands.
And being man of few words he
went away, leaving Mr.. Corbin be-
Wlldered beyond expression.
But this is very strangel" he ex-
claimed, rising from his chair and
pacing up and down the floor. Chow
have they ever surmised that | was
partial to this beautiful young bru-
nette? Is she willing to become my
wife upon such short notice? Ought
L to take such advantage of her mex
perience?"
"Now, Marse Corbin," suggested
old Aunt Hester, who from the win
DOW which she was cleaning had tax
en- in the whole situation, "don' you
60 fyin' in de face ofProvijence. Miss
Patty GregOry's as pretty as picter
and as sweet as a peach; an eff her !
pas done willin' to glib her to you,
jes' tux her an be thankful"
Hester" said the clergyman, "you
are a philosopher; and in your re-
marks | trace the rudiments of much
good sense.
SO he took Hester's advice, and pro-
ceeded that very afternoon to the
Gregory farm, where Mr.. Gregory
was painting the doorstep, and Pat
tv was thriftily endeavoring to mend
a ragged spot in the carpet of the
best room.
The farmer greeted him with bois-
ferrous delight.
$50 you've really come arter my
"Marthy?" said he. "Well, l am
proud"
81 don't know how | shall ever ex-
press my gratitude" said the clergy
man.
Don't speak of it" said Mr.. Greg
Ory. "Walk in, walk in. Patty, here
is the parson.
Mr.. COrbin scarcely dared to glance
at Miss Gregory; but she smiled and
nodded at him with the greatest COM
posure.
"There it is" said Mr.. Gregory,
pointing his knotty fOrefnger at the
wall, ''iust as my poor grandmother
left it to me, bronze frame and ALL
''There is what?" asked the cler-
gyman.
ed Mr.. Gregory, in surprise.
oh OSllNl NIL COIDllIs lllo COuuIC- !
nance falling. 'I-I thought you
meant-I didn't know"
"EhI" said Mr.. Gregory. cts ny
picter of Martha and Mary at Beth
any'-a hundred years old, and not
to be duplicated, they tell ME, this
side of the Atlantic"
eyes, I've no doubt it is very valu-
able, said Mr.. Corbin. "But not so
valuable as-your daughterl"
"As-my-daughter repeated Mr..
Gregory.
II thought it was this Martha you
meant, said the clergyman, gather
ing courage to advance and get pos
session of Patty's slim, brown hand.
'It certainly was this Martha that l
wanted !"
Mr. Gregory glanced from one to
the other, lifted his shaggy, gray eye
brows, and drew long breath.
"Well!" said he. IF Patty hain't
no objection, Ihain'tl What say you
little gal? Have you a mind to be
my donation to the minister, instead
O. the old engraving!" "
"Oh, father!" said Patty.
'Mr. Corbin," said the farmer, 81
don't believe she'll object"
"Oh, father!" once more uttered
Patty, hiding her face.
"And you two can talk it over, while
| go out and finish that there job of
painting" added Mr.. Gregory.
So he vanished, and the two young
people did talk it over" and very
satisfactorily, too.
"But did youreally think that faith
er meant me?" said Patty, incredu-
iouslv.
81 really did," confessed the clergy
man.
GLOW very strange you must have
thought it'll" observed Patty.
Il thought it very NICE" said Mr.,
Corbin.
"Do you really-love me?" asked
Patty.
II really do" declared Mr.. COrbin.
So they were married within three
months; and Miss Prudence Malinda
Miles is still an ungathered rose ON
the deacon's family-tree New York
I nIo