Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1873-06-24


became of sudden very busy with the
plants in the window; for | knew he was
going to tell her.
"Wish mo joy. Aunt ANNIE" said he
at is all settled"
Settled, is il?" said mother, ia any
thing but joyful tone. $50 it's as
suspected all along. Well, YOU have my
best wishes. Tom; perhaps you may be
happy together, after all; I'm sure
hope So"
This wasn't II very encouraging sort ol
congratulaiiun, and Tom seemed rather
taken aback by it,
I'm sorry you are not pleased he
said after pause; 81 had an idea some.
how you would be-
81 don't know from what you judged.
But there, It's no use crying over split
milk. You'll be married directly. pre-.
sumo must be looking out for ouse. n
and mother troked her nose reflectiyely
with a knitting needle.
"What for ?" said Tom 81 thought OF
keeping on here all The same"
"I never supposed otherwise" said
mother. "Of course did not expect TO
turn you out Of your own house"
"But what is the need OF looking fol
another then?7
"For myself
"For YOURSELF" repeated Tom. in n
tone ot utter amazement. Going to
leave us just now2 Why, Aunt Annie. |
never heal d OF such u thing
Now, Tom" said mother, speaking
very fast. and making her needles fly in
concert. 1--WE may US woIl come TO an un-
derstanding at once on this subject.
am fully sensible oi your past kindness
now let me fnish-I say appreciate it.
and have always tried TO do my duty by
you in return. rs | hope | shall always
be ready to do. wish all good to you
and your wife. and shall be glad to help
her il ever can. but 10 live in the same
house with her, is what would turn out
pleasantly for neither of us. and once for
all. | can't do it."
"Aunt Annie" said Tom, pushing back
his chair, and staring in mothers excited
face. "cither you or / must be out ol our
wits"
ats not me, then. at any rate" re.
torted mother. getting nettled.
Amusement and a certain embarrass.
ment had kept me silent listener,so far,
but there was no standing this; Itried 10
speak, but could not for laughing.
Il think you are out OF your wits to-
getllor." said mother sharply. what
ails the child :"
you don't understand each other" |
gasped; "oh dear! tits not Letty-oh
oh. dear" and relapsod again.
Not Lefty 2T repeated mother, turning
to Tom. Then why did you tell me
so?"
III never told you So" said Tom.
"Why. yes you did" persisted mother.
"You came in and told me you were 60
ing 20 be married."
Yes, so am, " said Tom, still ut cross
purposes.
Now. Tom Dean" said mother. rising
and confronting him. "what do you
mean2 Who is going to be your wile?'
why. May. ol course" answered
Tom.
MAY ~ and then. AFTER pause of in.
expressiblc astonishment, it was mothers
turn to laugh.
do you mean to say, Tom, it was
that child you were thinking Of all the
while"
"Why, who else could il be?" said
Tom, simply.
"Well." said mother, IL ought TO have
remembered that you never did anything
like anybody else. But. still. why in the
world did you 60 to work in that round.
about way?"
al wanted To see how you took TO my
idea, said Tom.
"And how do you suppose we were TO
guess your idea meant May2" mother
asked
"Who else could ii be?" repeated he,
falling back on what he evidently found
an unanswerable argument. 1t was no
use talking to him, Mother gave il up
with q shake of her head.
"And you won't want another house,
then. Aunt Annie ?" said Tom. suddenly.
That set mother off again; Tom Joined
her. and altogether don't think We ever
passed merrier evening than the cne
that made US acquainted with Toms
wife.-Appleton's Journal.