The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1891-05-16

essN ~ AAWH AAhA ANeAlAAA ANAANAhhF
of all persons, the woman whom Mrs
Scarsby designated IS shat poor. for
lorn old maid.
John was a brave man, but there are
more kinds Of courage than one.
Mrs Scarsby cried over the butter
beans she was cutting up for dinner
. won't have help in the house,
thought she. "If John really wants
woman around, why can't he get mar
ried2 And / don't know no smarter
girl than Naomi Nuttine I've a great
mind to go and see If she can't break
that ere contract with Squire Bagshot.
wish dared to speak right out TO John
about it. He used to like Naomi, but
men are queer.
Naomi had just come in from weed
ing her late onion patch the next even
ing, when the squire arrived, all in his
best
Good evening. squire, said Miss
Nutting. "Sit down till light the
lamp.
Don't light it, said the squire sheep
ishly. II am partial to the twilight.
" amt, p said Naomi u mostly like
to see what I'm doing. You've come
about business, suppose2"
4Ahem--yes, admitted the squire
Although lie had told himself all day
long that Naomi Nutting would certainly
jump at his offer, he could not subdue
certain nervousness at the last moment.
"Very important business.
Tat-tat-tat-t-ti came a knock on the
panels of the lilac shaded front door.
John Scarsby, arriving close on the
heels of the squire, had perceived the
necessity of immediate action.
He was flushed, and breathed hard
with rapid walking, but he had screwed
his courage up
Naomi, said he, "can Ispeak toyou
for one minute2
Naomi, holding the lamp In one hand,
stared hard at him.
&Pm engaged just now, said she,
"Engageda"
Squire Bagshot is here
Il won't keep you long," said John;
I want only a word.
Anything happened7" questioned
Naomi in sharp business tone
No, but" John drew a quick breath
of vexation and en-. barrassment ~Will
you hear me out, Naomi?"
The squire in the front room cleared
his throat loudly as Naomi conducted
John out into the back kitchen.
Now, then. what is it2" she asked.
Did ever lover WOO maiden under
such discouraging circumstances
John fixed his eyes on the copper
boiler and blurted out his tender confess
sion almost in single breath. 1t was
an awkward proceeding. but it was in
evitable.
"Naomi, said he, 81 want a wife.
Will you have me9"
"No, thankee. Johu. " said Miss Nut
ting. moving away from him.
John stared at her and uttered gasp.
What did you sayf" stammered he.
II said mol"
"rm too late, am II" the poor fellow
asked despairingly.
"Yes, you are.
wont you think it overf"
1T wouldn't be no use.
John went away completely dunn
founded, and Naomi returned to the
squire.
What business could that young man
possibly have with you, Naomi?" asked
the squire, little fretfully.
ut was private, said she, composedly.
NAOMI, said Mr.. Bagshot, plunging
headlong into the subject, arm thinkin'
of gettin' married.
SAre your" somewhat amazed.
II am tired Of livin' solitary and
alone, and don't know Of no one like
better than you, added Squire Bagshot
Much obliged to you, Pm sure, said
Naomi
@Do you think you could learn to love
meS" said the squire, his hard face
softening into unwonted tenderness.
II don't know whether could or not,
but don't mean to try, said Naomi
"Eh?" jerked out the squire.
1Pm engaged already" explained
Naomi
"To that shiftless young Scarsby?"
"He isn't particularly shiftless that !
know of. But it isn't to him, as it hap
pens
"If you are really engaged what on
earth are you running the dairy busi-
ness for2" asked the squire, of whose
character delicacy was by no means a
prominent trait
@To earn money, 20 be sure. am to
marry rich man, and don't care TO
go 20 him empty handed, or without a
decent wardrobe, such as other women
have"
who is itP" demanded the squire
swell, / don't mind telling you, since
you ask me up and down., replied
Naomi. "The man who owns the New
Mountain Iron Works - Mr.. Joseph
Alden.
The squire made a little gurgling
sound, as il he were Intellectually try
ing to swallow something. Joseph
Alden, the handsome, middle aged
Englisilman, the best catch in Cherry
county, engaged to Naomi Nutting.
whom he - Squire Bagshot had
mentally characterized as "a poor, soli-
taTy, friendless creeturl@
Well, suppose I'd better go, he
said, rising heavily.
Il don't know that you'll gain any
thing by staying" remarked Naomi.
coolly.
The squire was compelled to hire a
stout Vermont woman at 81 month.
AiTs. Scarsby still continues to do her
own houseVfork, in spite Of the remon-
stranoes of her son John. Naomi Nut
ting does as she did before-minds her
own busilless. And the violet aud
gfFn urh hassfssr /,
cess, and he wedding day is fixed.
A vicious heifer at Warehouse Point,
Conn, ~broke into Joseph Aliens fruit
cellar, where she ate his turnips and