The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-03-10

claim to distinction possessed some
thing dyed to this particular hue Mrs
Pottsey had impaired the startling
tint to several objects in the room
The ribbon which held back the Not
tingham lace curtains showed their ac-
quaintance with the dye pot. The che
mile cover Of the small table on which
lay the family bible, took on the same
apopIectic glow.
Mrs POttsey was engaged in putting
the finishing touches To the room, by
going over a stripe Of dirty white in
the breadths of rag carpet, with
paint brush and a tomato can full Of
the dye. The knock at the door caused
her to pause. and upon her invitation
Lazy JOness" entered. He had long
been endeavoriDg to breach the sub
I ject of a life partnership to Mrs
/ POttsey, but when her sharPeyes were
I looking at him. he felt as II his soul.
with its mixed motives. was laid bare
before her. and his courage oozed out
She pointed now to her hsndfwork
and said: "Ain't this room beau
/ tifuI?"
Yes, Mis- Potssey. yes: It's D..
ali em-'hem-it's very beautiful I
never see anything that suited me
better"
And, indeed. he had not. for he in
wardiy pictured himself reposing on
j the lounge with a pillow under his
head and a pipe in his mouth
You're a master hand at fxin' mp
things. Mis- Pottsey: you know how
TO make a-body comfortable. don't
you?~
MY powers of mind Is sech.- an
swered Mrs. Pottsey. that when 1
likes people 7 can make 'em comfort
able. and when don't like EN-. ! can
make 'em purity oncnmfortsble-
Mr. Jones did not know whether to
regard this as encouragement or
encouragement
Would you-er-eouId you-er-"
doubt here asssiled him--Iend me
your hoe2- he lameIy concluded
Walking home. he resolved as last
resort. to trust his fate to a written
misxive. He was not HANDY to use
local phrase with the pen. and com
position presented unknown horrors
To him. but something must be done
When he was gone. Mrs. Puttssy
smiled grimly- NO sech truck ez him
don't take me ini-.she remarked.
A few days later. Mrs PottSer was
preparing to can some pIums- She was
seated on the back porch with buxheI
basket Of plums on one side and a
large jar on the other. On her lap was
pan filed with the fruit Deacon Stat
terry leaned against support TO the
porch and chewed q straw medita-
lively
well. you got job before re ei
you're goin' to peel all them pIums.
he at last observed.
"-Twon't take me long" she re
spun6ed: They're wild plums. and
they taste kind Of puckery If they
amt peeled-
Judging by the constant stream OF
peeled plums leaving her hand for the
jar. it was evident the process would
not occupy her for great length OF
time
Mighty big lot Of pLr5ns for one
woman to eat he ventured-
-Fm that fond Of plums could
eat EN- every day in the year, she an.
swered.
beacon Slattery rubbed his CHR
ihoughtfulIy and decided TO take an
other tack. He was wise, even beyond
his years. which were many. so b,
said after gazing at her thOughtfuIIl
for few moments:
you are a powerful good IoOkin
woman. Zenobis--
"Oh. pshaw. now. deacon. sech al
old woman as mel but he noticed
! little flush stealing over her saIlov
: cheek
Wen satisfied with his progress. b
went on.
Il declar'. on my honor. when yo-
come wsIkin' in church Sunday al
rugged out. thought you was III
handsOmext woman there,- 81
shameless deacoul-"and I never Sc
a woman at could turn out work Xix
you kin As I says to Jim Watsot
t'othsr day. seq ]. / don t-know wher
4 you can pint out wOmsn as youu
lOokin' for her age as Mis- POttxey
get kinder lonesome at times. an Nv
often thought I'd like some smart
: gnod-lOkin' woman fiyin' round n
5 house. fryin' my potatoes an hakir
!. my pancakes fer me- the deacon wen
on. with sad note in his voice.
why don't You sit somebody
then?- asked Mrs Pottsey,
Here was distinct encouragement
: well. now. kinder thought mayh
1 You was tired hvin' alone. too sal
the deacon
2 "Seeiu' it's you that asks me, mayb
; he said Mrs POttsey.
: The deacon. as he walked hons
smiled gently to himself. -Hums
: natur' is human nstur't'- he said soft
2 ly.-Lavon c. Cheney. in National Mas
azine.