The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1873-12-16
The Squire's Mistake.
A GOOD STORY FOR OUR READERS.

The Squire's Mistake.
A GOOD STORY FOR OUR READERS.
Squire Dudley was 10 his garden pull
ling weeds in bis patch Of tame strawbcr.
rics, on the morning when he took "A fam
cy for Ruth Lees pretty face. She came
down the road looking as fresh as a new
blown rose, in her plain calico dress and
straw hat. Her brown hair cut quite
short, blew about her face in little rings,
and her blue eyes and bright checks made
her as pretty picture ono often sees.
Squire Dudley saw her Just as she came
opposite the strawberry patch, and he
called out "good-morning!" in brisk.
CHEEKY way.
oh, good-morping,' she answered.
You almost scared me, Squire Dudley |
didn't see you until you spoke.
Pheasant morning, isn't it p said the
Squire, coming up to the fence. Ruth
had halted in the road.
Its beautiful weather. answered Ruth.
[ told her it was too pleasant to stay
in doors, and started off on a visit
Are your strawberries ripe yet p asked
the Squire, wondering that he had never
noticed what fresh and charming face
widow Lees daughter had before.
Our Strawberries = laughed Ruth.
We havn't got one. Our old rooster got
in one day, about week ago, and picked
all he could cat, and then coaxed the
hens in, and between them they ruined
our strawberry crop
Too bad = exclaimed the sympathetic
Squire. Have some of these Ruth. They
are just ripe enough to be good
He picked some great clusters Of ripe
berries and handed them over tho fence to
her.
Thank you,' said Ruth smilingly
How nice they are. Mother was making
great calculations on her strawberry jam.
She was terribly vexed when she had
found out what the hens had DONE
I've got lots to spare, said the Squire
'I'll send some over to your mother.
Shed be much obliged 10 you, sale
Ruth. If you have more than you wan
Plenty Of them,' answered the Squire
plenty of them. Can have them just az
we'll as not
i must be going said Ruth, Good
morning
Good morning returped the Squire
looking after her as she went down tn,
road i declare there aint q prettie
girl in town than Ruth Lee. wonde
some Of the young fellows haven't got her
away from the widow. If | was youns
now
Squire Dudley stopped suddenly, Ar
idea had just flashed across his mind.
I'm fifty he said at last, after think
ing quite busiy for some minutes. I'm
fifty, but l don't look it. | don't SCI
why | shouldn't try my luck after all
Girls as young as Ruth marry men oldc
than | am. I'm sure she'd make an,
man good wife. Her mother is one o
the finest women in the State, and She
brot her daughter up to know how t.
work. and be saving and prudent. In
sure we need good housekeeper. Mrs
way @aS"f Of i living ing isn't isn't haIi ar living ' u"
lieve III marry her, if she'll nave me
Maybe Charlie'l say its foolish but
cant help that
The Squire fell to wedding out hi
stra wberries again diligently, and KEEP
thinking about Ruth all the while. Lon
before dinner was ready he had full,
made up his mind to propose marriage
Ruth and bring home a new housekoepc
and mistress to the great house who's
mistress had been dead ten years or moi
provided, Of course, that Ruth didn't sa
no, and the Squire thought there WASH
, much danger of that, though why
should be so sure, can't say.
Don't you think we need a hous
:. keeper 2 he said to his son Charles tn
afternoon, as they sat on the verand
The Squire evidently saw some new ie
ture in the landscape, for he kept his ia
c turned away from Charleys os he spok
i, "A housckeeper p asked Charlie
a :, We've got one. What do We want
n more, | should like to know
Yes, | know asscnted the Squll
T. turning red in the face, and beginning
GET, a littlo uneasy but Mrs. Brown is
such woman as we need, She does
70 take any interest in the work as-a "
q q man would who-had more interest in
r After which extremely logical arr
C. ment the Squire got more fdgcty tn
'' ever
Il understand that answered Charl
- IF she had personal interest in
place, and in being prudent and in ke
ing things up, she'd do better THAI
en- en- does now. Now she gets her pay for
iff. work, and that's all she cares for.
'ptt all we expect of her.
'n %u Just SO, said the Squire, glad to kr
rm that Charley agreed with him so far, |
led been thinking this morning that the
thing that | could do, would be to
some one who has personal interest
- matters. | don't see as you intent
get married. and as you wont, ] d.
,ss is know but ia better
) it The Squire breathed easier. The W
1t part was over with.
Ose You get married exclaimed Char
pc in intense surprise, Why, | didn't k
IS ,Se you ever thought of such thing.
) to And ! hav'nt till this morning,
claimed the Squire, l got to thin|
!. about it this morning, and the mo
N thought about it the more thought
ID good plan, You have no objections
'Of course not answered Char
You can do as you think best. II
think it advisable to get wife
nothing further to say, further than
G hope that you will get some one who
- make you happy
She will said the Squire very d
ESQ. edly, she will | am sure
May ask who It's to be ? inq'