Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-09-05
gostifal.
THE SQUIRE'S MISTAKE.

Squire Dudley was in his garden, pull
ing weeds in his patch of tame strawber-
RES, ON the morning when he took fancy
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 all about her face in little
rings, and her blue eyes and bright cheeks
made her as pretty picture as one often
sees. Squire Dudley saw her just as she
came opposite the strawberry patch, and
he called out, "good morning." in his
brisk, CHEEKY way.
ooh, good morning." she answered.
You almost scared me. Squire Dudley
| didn't see you until you spoke"
pleasant morning. isn't itP" said the
Squire, coming up to the fence. Ruth had
halted in the road
ats beautiful weather." answered
Ruth. II told mother it was too pleasant
to stay in doors, and started off on a visit"
'Are your strawberries ripe yet ?" asked
the Squire wondering that he never had
noticed what fresh and charming face
widow Lees daughter had before.
Our strawberriesr' laughed Ruth.
1--WE havn't got one. Our old rooster got
in one day, about week ago, and picked
all he could eat, and then coaxed the hens
in. and between them they ruined our
strawberry crop.
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 to her.
Thank you," said Ruth, smiling.
Vat al hnr
ing great calculations on her strawberry
jam. She was terribly vexed when she
found out what the hens had DONE"
I've got lots to spare. said the Squire.
"Fll send some over to your mother"
She'd be much obliged to you," said
Ruth. elf you have more than you want
PLENTY of them," answered the Squire,
plenty of them. Can have them just as
well as not
81 must be going" said Ruth. "Good
Good morning." returned the Squire,
looking after her as she went down the
road. II declare there amt a prettier girl
in town than Ruth Lee. l wonder some
Of the young fellows havnt got her away
from the widow. If l was young now
Squire Dudley stopped suddenly. An
idea has just flashed across his mind.
I'm fifty" he said at last, after thinking
quite busily for some minutes. "I'm fif-
ty,' but don't look it. l don't see why l
shouldn't try my luck, after all. Girls as
young as Ruth marry men older than
am. I'm sure she'd make any man
good wife. Her mother is one Of the fin
~ IN %Lo 4 eI,ss rpht
her daughter up to know how to work,
need good housekeeper; Mrs. Brown is
old and lussy and crooked, and this way
of living isn't half living. do believe
III marry her, if she'll have me. Maybe
Charlie'll say its foolish, but l can't help
that"
The Squire fell to wedding out his
strawberries again diligently, and kept
about Ruth all the while. Long
before dinner was ready he had fully
made up his mind TO propose marriage to
Ruth and bring home a new house keeper
and mistress to the great house whose
mistress had been dead for ten years or
more, provided, of course, that Ruth didn't
say no, and the Squire thought there
wasn't much danger of that, though why
he should be so sure l can't say.
Don't you think we need a house,
keeper?' he said to his son Charles that
afternoon, as they sat on the veranda.
The Squire evidently saw some new feat
ure in the landscape. for he kept his face
turned away from Charley's as he spoke.
"a housekeeper?" asked Charlie. 1--WE
have one. What do we want of more,
should like to know"
''Yes, know" assented the Squire,
turning red in the face, and beginning to
get little uneasy "but Mrs. Brown isn't
such woman as we need. She doesn't
take any interest in the work asa woman
would who-had more interest in it,"
After which extremely logical argument
the Squire got moro tidgetty than ever.
Il understand that answered Charlie.
If she had a personal interest in the place,
and in being prudent, and in keeping
things up, she'd do better than she does
now. Now she gets her pay for her work
and that's all she cares for. It's all we
can expect of her.
Just so, said the Squire, glad to know
that Charlie agreed with him so so far.
I've been thinking this morning that the
best thing l could do would be to get
some one who would take a personal In
terest in matters. l don't see as you In
tend to get married. and if you won't
don't know but had better
The Squire breathed easier 1he worst
was over with.
You get married. exclaimed Charlie,
i, intense ua surprise. why. didn't know
YOU ever thought of such thing.
And l haven't till this morning, ex-
claimed the Squire. Il got to thinking
about it this morning, and the more l
thought about it the more l thought 1t
good plan. You have no objectionsr
OF course not, answered Charlie. You
can do as you think best. If you think it
advisable to get wife, have nothing to
say further than the hope that you will get
some one who will make you happy"
"She will" said the Squire very decid-
edly "she will. am sure"
MAY | ask who It's to bep" inquired
Charley.
lCoNcLuDED TOMORROW