The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1872-11-14

directly after tea started off across lots in the
direction of the Widow Lees, with the berries
ON his arm. He had very busy thoughts for
company. He was wondering what it was
best to do Should he propose at once to
Ruth, or should he see her mother first and,
and talk with herr He concluded that the
last was the visest plan. AS he opened the
gate noiselessly, he heard voices in the other
corner of the garden, and stopped moment
to find out if It was the widow and her daugh-
ter.
"Inever had any idea of it BEFORE" said a
voice which he recognized as Charley's; mot
the least in the world. He said ne hadn't
thought anything about it until to-day. l
couldn't find out who he had in view. hope
it isn't old Miss Sharp. She'd like to get some.
body" ii}:
The Squire burst into profuse perspiration
at the idea of having Miss Sharp for wife.
"He said he didn't see as ever intended to
get married" went on Charley. 81 didn't tell
him That had got me wife picked out, but
I wanted to. am sure he'd approve my taste
in making selection"
"What nonsense p laughed clear, pleasant
voice. the Squire knew, the moment he heard it.
off I am TO be- your wife want You to quit
laughing at me in that way, pretending that
YOU are flattering me all the time" :. b..
ellis wife Good graciousp ;,
| The Squire was 30 taken by surprise that ne
came near dropping his strawberries. SO 1t
was all settled between them. And ne had
come near proposing to his sons intended wife.
He felt cold all over, at the thought OF 1t.
How lucky that he didn't take Charley into
| his confidence, and tell him who he had con.
cluded to marry. 49,.
IT declare" exclaimed the Squire, GIVE
made q mistake this time, sure enough. The
rascal got the start of me. I'd like to know
what I'm to dol Pve told him that, intend
ed to get married, and if don't he II likely as
not rnistrast something. Dear mep Il
The Squire was in trouble. Another bright
thought occurred to him. There was the
widow. After all, she would be more suitable
| for him than Ruth would have been. She was
somewhere near his own age. A fine woman.
| al smart woman She would make a fine mis-
tress for his empty house. Why shouldn't he
marry her, since he could not have her daugh-
ter. iA =
'.'Tll do it," exclaimed the Squire, bound to
20 through with the matter since he had got so
far. I'll do it."
He Knocked. The door was opened by the
widow, round-cheeked, rosy and smiling
aWhy, Squire Dudley! Good evening"" she
exclaimed. 81 hardly knew you at first, you
rocking-chair, and let me take your hat
The widow hustled about and got the Squire
chair and deposited his hat on the table be-
fore he happened to think of his basket.
90! Ruth told me your strawberry crop had
proven a failure, so thought I'd run over and
bring you few. Strawberry short cake don't
20 bad this time of year" >,
"Tm thousand times obliged to you" said
the widow, taking the basket. "I was so pro-
voked to think the chickens should spoil mine.
Such q nice lot as would have had" sa-
eff you want any for preserves, come over
and get 'em," said the Squire. "We've plenty
of 'em. Mrs. Brown--she won't do anything
with them, except as we use them in the season
of them, 1 suppose"
"I want to know 7" Exclaimed the widow.
.eYou ought to have them done up. They're
so nice in the winter. would like to get some
for jam, and if Mrs. Brown won't take care OF
them, I'll do them up on shares"
| 81 wish you would" said the Squire
"Things are all going to wreck and ruin about
my place. 'Taint to be expected hired wo-
man will take any interest in affairs, " and here
he sighed deeply.
| 'No; that's So"
+ The Squire and the widow kept up brisk
conversation, and at the end of an hour he
was more deeply in love with her than her
daughter, and began to wonder how he had
been so blind as to overlook such delightful
widow for 30 long.
/ By-and-by the widow hustled out, and pres
emily came back with pitcher of last years's
cider and plate of cake.
"Do have something to eatand drink" urged
the widow. off I'd known you were coming
I'D have made cherry pie. l remember you
used to like my cherry pies"
"I-I wish you would come and make cherry
pies for me all your life," blurted out the
Squire, turning very red in the face again. II
II came down to ask you to marry, Mrs.
Lee" :.
"Im sure I'd as lief marry you as any man, 7"
and looking as pretty as rose.
"Tts all settled, then," cried the delighted
Squire, and kissed plump on her lips just as the
door opened and Charley and Ruth came in.
"Alow me to make you acquainted with my
new housekeeper," said the Squire, bowling very
low to hide his red face. =.
"Allow me to present my wife-that is to be," :"
answered Charley. "You take the mother and
I'll take the daughter"
am happy to say that under the "new ad-
ministration," things are no longer going to
wreck and ruin. ~ 81 ~ I.i-' -
sTHE Losr CAusE."-In a review of "'Re-
markable Sayings of!the Great War; published
in. Appleton's Journal Edward A. Pollard writes
as follows concerning the origin of the phrase
saTbo >ot GouaaO.