Jest at this minute we see the new Local Preacher, comin’ down the road in a open buggy, and Betsey said to once she must be goin’, for her folks would be a worryin’ after her. Says I, as she hurried to the door,
“Mebby you will get a ride.”
“Oh no,” says she, “I had a great deal rather walk afoot, I think there is nothing like walking afoot for strengthenin’ the mussles.”
I am glad she felt so, for I see he didn’t ask her to ride. But as she said, health is a blessing, and it is a treat indeed to have strong mussles.
A TOWER TO NEW YORK DISCUSSED.
The summer after the Donation and Fare dawned peacefully and fair on Jonesville and the earth. The weather was pleasant, and things seemed to go on as Sister Wesley Minkley and I could wish them to, between her Whitfield, and our Tirzah Ann. Thomas Jefferson every fortnight or so dressed up in his best and went in the direction of Lawyer Snow’s. He said that “he went to a new protracted meetin’ that they had jest started up that way.” I don’t say that he didn’t, but I will say that they protracted ’em pretty late. I don’t make no matches nor break none, but I must say that things look promisin’ and agreable in the direction of the children. Whitfield Minkley, and Maggy Snow, is agreeable to me, very; so they be to Josiah.
Josiah thinks considerable of Maggy’s bein’ so fore-handed. I say myself if she hadn’t but one hand in the line of riches, or no hand at all, she would still be my choice. She is a straight-forward sensible girl—with no affectation, or sham about her. She reminds me of what Samantha Allen was, before she had changed her maiden name of Smith. Whether they are really engaged or not, I don’t know, for Thomas J. is such a hand for fun that you can’t find out anything from him no more than you could from the wind. But good land! there is time enough. The children shan’t marry anybody in one good five years from now, if I have my say about it. But as I told Josiah, I remember we was a talkin’ it over last fall, as we sot out a new orchard—I was a holdin’ the trees for him and says I—“Josiah it is our duty to get apple trees and children started in the right direction, and then let them take their time to grow.”