Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1873-06-12

hCCPCi Hc Sst1O w Ills SUI. Niieti !So
that afternoon, as they sat on the
verandah. The Squire evidently saw
some new feature in the landscape, fol
he kept his face turned away from
Charley as he spoke.
"a house keeper?" asked Charley,
awe have got one What do we
want of more l should like to know q
eyes, I know" .assented the Squire,
turning red in the face, and beginning
to get little uneasy; ''but Mrs Brown
is not such woman as we need. She
does not take any interest in the work
as-as woman would who-whe had
more interest IN it"
After which extremely logical argu-
ment the Squire got more fidgety than
ever.
81 understand that answered
Charley, "If she had q personal interest
in the placs and in being prudent, and
keeping things up, she'd do better than
she does now. Now, she gets her pay
for her work, and that al she cares
for It's all we can expect Of her."
"Just So said the Squire, glad to
see that Charley agreed with him so
far. 'sI've been thinking this morning
that the best thing that can do would
be 70 get SOME one who would
take personal interest in matters. I
don't see as you intend to get married,
and if you won't, I don't know but I'd
better"
The Squire breathed easier. The
worst part was over with.
"You get married." exclaimed
Charley, in intense surprise. "Why,
I didn't know that you ever thought
of it."
"And haven't till this morning" ex-
claimed the Squire. q got to thinking
about it this morning, and the more l
thought about it the more I thought
it good plan. You have not any
objectiens'''
"Of course not" answered Charley.
"You can do as you think best, If you
deem it advisable to get wife, have
nothing to say further than to hope
that you will get some one who will
make you happy"
'She WILL said the Squire very
decidedly, 'she will am sure"
'May 1 asked who It's to bes" in
qEEired Charley.
"I-I haven't asked her yet" an
swered the Squire, as red as rose. Id
rather wait mill I'm sure of her before
/ cell who it is. She might say no, you
see, and ! should feel rather cheap"
Prudent Squire Dudly. That after
noon he picked a panful Ct his finest
strawberries, and directly after tea he
started off across the lots in the direction
of the Widow Lees with the berries on
his arm. 1t was dark before he got to
the Widows, for he walked slowly.
lie had very bad thoughts for con-
pany. He was wondering mhatit were
best to do. Should he propose at once
to Ruth, or should he see her mother
first, and talk with her? He concluded
that the last was the wisest plan. AS
he opened the gate noiselesiy, he heard
voices in the other corner Of the garden
and stopped moment to find out if it
was the widow and her daug ater.'
Il never had any idea of that before,
said voice which he recognized as
Charley's; "not the least in the world.
He said he hadn't thought anything
about it iii. to day. I couldn't find out
who he had in view hope it isn't old
Miss Sharp. She'd like to get some
body" rs b..
The Squire burst, into profuse perspi-
ration as the thoughts of having Miss
Sharp for wife.
ole said he didn't see that I ever in
tended to get married, went on Charley.
I didn't tell him had got a wife picked
out, but wanted to. I am sure he
would approv5 Of my taste IN making
a selection"
"What. nonsense" laughed a clear,
pleasant voice Ruth's voice he knew,
the moment he heard it. "If am going
to be your wife I want you to quit
laughing at me in that sly way, pre-
tending you are fattering me all the
htime."
ellis wife! good gracious"
The Squire was so taken by sur
prise that he came near dropping his
strawberries. 50 it was all settled
between them. And he came near
proposing to his sons intended wife
He felt cold all over at the thought Of
it. How lucky that he did not take
Charley into his confidence, and tell
him who lie intended to marry.
81 declare" exclaimed the Squire, Il
have made a mistake this time, sure
enough. The rascal got the better of
me. I'd like to know what I'm to do"
GIVE told him that T intended to get
married, and if I don't he'll likely az