Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1891-10-31

sketch out u diagram. Hyacinths have
to be hpmored, Mrs. Palmleaf."
$50 I have always heard" said the
widow. -,
That evening, after Mr.. Wiggleton had
returned from discussing the momentous
question OF sandy soil, bulbous roots and
crescents and circles, he found lothian
on the front porch contentedly breathing
the flower scented air.
"a very pretty woman, that Mrs.
Palmleaf, Jotham," said the employer;
not because there was any special con-
geniality of soul between himself and his
farm hand. but because he could have
talked to the gate posts II Jotham hadn
happened to be there.
"Well. nobody doubts that, as ever !
heerd on" said Jotham, with his elbows
on his knees and his face complacently
turned toward the full moon.
sand she can't be over thirty"
$50 should a-said myself" assented
Jotham.
"Im glad she has taken the cottage on
long lease, Jotham," pursued Mr. Wig
gleton. II like good neighbors."
"Most folks does," observed Jotham
And he got up, shaking himself like a
great Newfoundland dog, and went into
the house, leaving Mr.. Wiggleton to the
companionship of his own cogitations
There are times in which solitude ia
said to be the best company; perhaps
this was one of these special occasions
In tho estimation of Jotham Hardcastle
The summer went by; the great maple
in front Of the Wiggleton mansion began
to glow as If its leaves had been dipped in
blood and melted gold; the asters reared
their purple torches along the stone wall
by the cottage under the hill, and any
acute observer might have perceived
that Mrs. Palmleaf had laid down the
rocky bit of up hill ground in spring
wheat instead of winter rye.
"JothamI' said Mr.. Wiggleton to Ills
farm hand one evening; it was the first
time they had had a fire on the wide,
old fashioned hearth.
"Well?"
W-have concluded it isn't best for you
to live here at the house any longer"
whats goin' to happenY" said Jotham.
"You amt goin' to hire another hand.
be your"
"No; to be sure not. You suit me ad-
mirably, lothian, only"-and Mr.. Wig
gleton shot the words out with an effort
81 am thinking Of getting married"
"Oh!"
"1t's rather late In life, to be sure"
said Mr.. Wiggleton, conscious of looking
extremely sheepish, "but you know,
Jotham, it's never too late to do good
thing"
Certainly not"
"You ought to get married, Jotham."
added his employer, speaking In rather
rapid and embarrassed manner.
Think sot"
Certainly. You might live in the lit
tie house beyond the peach orchard; 1t
wouldn't take much to fit it nicely, now
that paint and paper are 50 cheap"
lothian stared reflectively at the fire.
"And your wife could take care of the
cream and butter, and all that sort Of
thing, for us. 1t isn't likely Mrs. P
ahem!-it isn't likely, mean, that my
wife will care for such things"
"Humphv'
"rd advise you to turn the thing all
over in your mind, Jotham," said Mr..
Wiggleton.
Eyes, will" said Jotham, with lit
tie cough.
The next morning Mr.. Wiggleton at
tired himself in his best suit and went 10
the cottage. q
Mrs. Palmleaf received him in charm
ing wrapper with ribbon to match.
Mr.. Wiggleton wasted no time in use
less preliminary chitchat.
Mrs. Palmleaf, ma'am," he began~ q
little nervously, II have concluded to
change my condition"
indeed" Gaid the widow, smiling like
ar open rose. ~ am so glad to hear it,"
"And l am hero this morning to ask
you to be my wifc!' pursued our hero,
boldly.
"You are kind, SIR" said Mrs. Palm-
leaf, blushing, and looking prettier than
ever, "but IL really couldn't"
"And why notr' demanded Mr.. Wig
gleton, fairly taken aback by this unex-
pected answer.
al am engaged" owned up the charms
ing widow, playing with the ribbons al
her belt.
"Might dare to ask-that is
"Oh, certainly. It's lothian Hardcas-
tle."
Mr.. Wisgleton stammered out q SEN
tence or two of congratulation and took
his leave.
And when the "spring wheat" reared
its green tassels on the hillside lothian
married the pretty young widow and