The Van Buren press., 1872-12-24

worst part was over Win.
You get married." exclaimed Char
ley, in intense surprise "Why, ! did
not know tha. you ever though, OF such
thing.
And | have not till this morning, y
exclaimed the Squire. I'll got to thinking
about it this morning, and the more
thought about it the more thought 1t
coed plan. You haven't any ohjcc-
tons ?"
or course not" answered Charley
You can do SIS you think best. IL you
deem il advisable to get wife. | have
nothing to SAY further than the hope you
] will yet come one Who will make you
happy
She will, said the Squire very dc
cidedlv, she will am sure,
MAY | ask who tis to be, inquired
Charley.
"I-I haven't asked yet, answered
the Squire, Gs red as rsss I'D rath
er wait uztil am sure ofher before tell
who it s She might say no, yon see,
and should feel rather cheap,
Prudent Squire Dudley. That after
noon he picked painful OF his finest
stra vberries, AID directly after tsa start
ed off scroes lots in the direction OF the
Widow Less, with the berries on hls
arm. II was dusk before he got to the
widows, for he walked slowly. lie had
very busy thoughts for company. lie
ives wondering what it were best to do.
Should he propose at once to Ruth, OF
should be see her mother frat, ami talk
with hcr2 He concluded that tina last
was the wisest plan Al he opened the
gate neisslessly, he heard voices in the
other oorner,ef the garden. and stopped
a moment 70 fnd cat If it was the widow
end her daughter
II never had any idea Of it beferc, "
said a voice, which he recognized as
Cksriey's; "not tao least in the world
He said he hadent though. anything
about it until 20 day. couldn't find
ont VINO he had In yisw. ! hope it isa't
old Miss Sharp, She'd ike TO set some
hsdv !"
The Squire burst into a profuse per.
spiration at aha IDEA Of having Misa
Sharp for wife.
ole said he didn's see as ever in.
tended to get married, went on Char.
ley. 81 didn't tel him | hed got me q
wife picked cut, but wanted to | am
suro he'd approve my taste in making a
selection
"What nonasn.s!' laughed clear
pleasant voice; Ruths voice. the Squire
sssw, 4, ,ha !, momsn. o. As heard il! IF |
quit laughing at me in that SLY way. pre-
tending you are aattsring me all the
time -
"His wife Good gracious !"
The Squire was so taken by surprise
that he came near dropping his straw
berries. So it was all settled between
them. And he had come near prepos
ing 10 his SONS intended wife. He felt
cold all over at tho thought of it. How
lucky that he did not take Charley into
his confidence, and tell him who he had
concluded to marry
II declare" exclaimed the Squire,
1--WE made mistake this time, sure
enough I'd like to know what I'm to
do? I've told him that ! intended to get
married, and il don't he'll likely as not
mistrust something Dear me y
The Squire was in trouble. Another
bright thought occurred TO him There
was the widow. Aftsr all she would be
more suitable for him than Ruth would
have been She was somewhere near
his own age a fine woman A smart
woman. She would make a fine mistress
for his empty house Why shouldn't he
marry her, since he could not have her
daughters
"I'll do IT, exclaimed the Squire,
bound to 90 through with the matter
since he had got So far "l'll do it y
He Knocked The door was opened by
the widow, round. checked rosy aid
smiling.
"Why. Squire Dudley! Good even
ing" she exclaimed. IL hardly knew
YOU at first. you haven't been here IN 81
long. Osmc in; take this rockin. chair
and let me take your hat
The widow hustled about and got the
Squire y chair and deposited his hat on
the table before he happened to think OF
his basket.
20. Ruth told me y,ur strawberry
crop proved failure 80 ] thought ia
run over and bring you few straw
berry short cake don't SO so bad THIS
time Of year ="
I'm a thousand times obliged to you,
said the widow, taking the basket.
was so provoked to think the hens should
spsil mine. Such nice lot ~ ! would
have had
"Ifvou want any ~ preserve. cone
over and get ON. said the Squire
We've plenty of e~. Mrs. Brown
she won't do ANYTHING with 'em. excep,
as we use them in the season OF them
suppose "
want to know" exclaimed the wild
ow. "You ought to have them done
up. They are ~ nice in tue winter
would like to get some for jam; and u
Mrs Brown woa't take care ofthcm, III
do them up on shares.
~ wish you would, said the Squire
Things are all gong to wreck and ruiz
about my place. 'Tsint TO be sxpeetec
A hired womsn will take any interest II
affairs" and here hs sighed deeply.
"No. that is so. /"
II was strange thst the Squire had no
found out how things were going t'
wreck and ruin before lirs. Brown hat
been there ever since Mrs Dudloy disd
The Squire and the widow kept up