The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1873-06-12

you tulsht, pelhg ID TIE way G! tnOse
things Now, pray, Tom," I Sent on
quickly, don't fancy am disconnected
or-cr anything of that sort the truth
is, ever since left off school 1 have
wanted something to do, and bad it in
my mind to speak to you about it"
With this l looked at Tom, fearing he
might be yexed; but be did not look vex-
ed, only preoccupied.
s. | do know of place, as it happens
he said latter while. only I'm not sure
how it would suit you
That's soon SEEM" said |. g What
is it like p
Well, lisa sort of-of general use
fitness"
Why. it must be to run errands. :"
said [, laughing. g Aud where is it.
Tom p
Well. said Tom, hesitatirgly again,
it S with me-
: How very NIGEL" exclaimed. How
soon can | have it ?"
The sooner the better, SO far as /
AN concerned, said Tom, and with that
he turned around and looked at me, and
directly | met his eyes, | knew somehow
all in moment, what it was he meant !;
| aud L knew too, both that [ could not
have passed all my life with Will Broom.
ly, and why l could not
| am sure Lefty Walters, who inter-
rupted US just then, must have thought
my wits were wandering that evening,
and indeed they were for l was COM
pletely dazed with the sudden turn
| things had taken. But Tom. who had
the advantage of me there, took it quite
cody, and laughed and talked with
Lefty just the same as ever till she went
away.
1t was pretty late when we went in.
Mother sat where we had left her knit.
ting in the twilight.
Wasn't that Lefty Walters with you
while ago?' she said, as we came up.
Yes, said [ with confused feeling
of an explanation of something being
necessary; she just came to bring
the new crotchet pattern she promised
me-"
I'm said mother, as much as to say
she had her own ideas as to what Lefty
came for.
Tom had been wandering around the
room in an absent sort of fashion. taking
up and putting down in the wrong places
| all the small objects that fell in his way.
He came up and took a seat by mother
| became of a sudden very busy with the
plants in the window; for I knew he was
going to tell her,
Wish me joy, Aunt Anne, said he,
it's all settled"
Settled, is it? said mother, in any,
thing but joyful tone. So it's as | sus-
peeted all along. Well, you have my
best wishes, Tom; perhaps you may be
happy together after all. I'm sure l hope
| so.
This wasn't very encouraging sort Of
congratulation, and Tom seemed rather
taken back by it. q
M sorry you re not pleased, he said
after pause ; had an idea somehow
you would be-
L don't know from what you judged.
But there, it's no use crying over split
milk. You'll be married directly, l
| presume | must be looking out for a
house. and mother stroked her nose re-
fectiveIy with her knitting needle.
What for ? said Tom; [ thought of
keeping on here all the same.
l 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 out
for another then?'
Why, for myself
For YOURSELF repeated Tom, in a
tone of utter amazement. Going to leave
us--just now? Why, aunt Anne, 1 never
heard of such thing !
Now Tom,' said mother, speaking
very fast. and making her needles fly in
concert. we might as well come to an I'm
Outstanding at once on this subject. l am
fully sensible of your past kindness-now
just let me fuish-I say | appreciate it.
and have tried 10 do my duty BY you in
return. as l hope I should always be
ready to do. l wish all good to you and
your wife, and shall be glad to help her
If ever | can, but to live in the same
house with her is what would turn out
pleasantly fer neither of Island, once for
all, | can't do it,.
Aunt Anne, said Tom, pushing lack
his chair, and staring in mothers excited |
face. either you or | must be out of our
wits
It's not me. then,a any rate, retorted
mother, getting nettl9d.
Amusement and certain embarrass
ment had kept me silent listener so far, |
but there was no standing this l tried
to speak, but could not for laughing.
think you are all out of your wits
together, said mother, turning sharply.
What ais the child ? it's no laughing
matter.
You don't understand each other |
gasped; Oh, dear! tits not Lefty
-oh-oh, dear = and relapsed again.
Not Letty?' repeated mother. turning
% Tom. Then why did you tell me
90
| never told you so, said Tom.
Why,yes you did, persisted mother.
You came in and told me you were 60
ng to be married.
Yes, so l am, said Tom, still at cross
purposes.
Now, Tom Dean, said mother, rising
md confronting him, what do you
mean? who is is going to be your wife p
Why. May, Of course answered
rom
May and then, after panse of in
astonishmens,i was mothers
urn to laugh. DO you mean to say
fom, it was that child you were thinking