Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-09-06
NO. 212.
THE sQUIRE's MISTAKE.


off across the lots in the direction of Wild
ow Lees, with the berries on his arm
1t was dusk before he got to the widows,
for he walked slowly. He had very busy
thoughts for company. He was wonder
ing what it was best to do. should he
propose at once to Ruth, or should he see
her mother first, and talk with herp He
concluded that the last was the wisest plan.
AS he opened the gate noiselessly, he
heard voices in the other corner of the
garden, and stopped moment to find out
if it was the widow and her daughter.
Il never had any idea of it before" said
a voice which he recognized as Charley's
mot the least in the world" He said he
hadn't thought anything about it until to-
day. l couldn't find out whom he had in
view. hope it isn't old Miss Sharp.
She'd like to get somebody
| The Squire burst into profuse perspir-
alton. at the idea of having Miss Sharp
| tor a wife.
He says he didn't see as ever intend
ed to get married." went on Charley. II
didn't tell him had got wife picked out.
but wanted to-. am sure he approves
my taste in making selection"
"What nonsense!" laughed clear voice.
Ruth's voice, the Squire knew the moment
he heard it. ''If am going to be your
wife, l want you to quit laughing at me
in that sly way, pretending you are fiat
tering me all the time"
"His wife? Good gracious!"
The Squire was SO taken by surprise
that he came near dropping his strawber-
ries. So it was settled then. And he had
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
whom he had concluded to marry.
II declare, !" exclaimed the Squire. ''I'ye
made mistake this time, sure enough.
The rascal has got the start Of me. I'd
like to know what I'm to dop I've told
him that intended to get married, and if
don't. he'll likely as not mistrust some
| thing. Dear me!'
The Squire was in trouble. Another
bright thought occurred TO him. There
was the widow After all she would be
more suitable for him than Ruth would
have been. She was somewhere near his
own age. A fine woman. A smart wO-
man. She would make fine mistress for
his empty house. Why shouldn't he mar
ry her, since he could not have her
daughter?
"lll do it, exclaimed the Squire, bound
to go through the matter since he had
gone so far. "I'll do it,
He knocked. The door was opened by
the widow, round checked, rosy and smil-
ing.
"Why, Squire Dudley! Good evening""
she exclaimed. II hardly knew you at
first; havn't been here for SO long. Come
in take this rocking chair, and let me
take your hat"
The widow hustled about and got the
Squire chair and deposited his hat on
the table before he happened to think Of
his basket. s
90! Ruth told me your strawberry
crop had proved failure, so l thought
I'd run over and bring you few. Straw
berry short-cake don't 60 bad this time Of
year"
"rm a thousand times obliged to you,"
said the widow, taking the basket. II
was so provoked to think the hens should
spoil mine. Such nice lot as would
have had"
and get EN-" said the Squire. s'We've
do any thing with 'em, except as we use
them, l suppose"
81 want to know" exclaimed the Wild
ow. you ought to have them done up.
They're SO nice in the winter. l would
like to get some for jam; and if Mrs.
Brown won't take care Of them, Ill do
them up on shares"
"Wish you would" said the Squire
Things are all going to wreck and ruin
about my place. 'Tain't to be expected a
hired woman will take any interest in af-
fairs !" and here he sighed deeply.
mo; that's So"
1t was strange that the Squire had not
found out how things were going to wreck
and ruin before. Mrs. Brown had been
there ever since Mrs. Dudley had died.
The squire and widow kept up very
brisk conversation. and at the end OF an
hour he was more deeply in love with her
than her daughter, and began to wonder
how he had been so blind as to overlook
such delightful woman for SO long.
| By-and-by the widow hustled out, and
presently came back with pitcher OF last
years cider and plate of cake. ;,
"Do have something to eat and drink,
URGED the widow. ''If I'd have known
you were coming, I'd have made cherry
pie. / remember you used 10 hke my
Of wish you'd come and make cherry
MES for me ali your life," blurted out the
Squire turning very red in the face again.
"i-I came down to ask you to marry me.
Mrs. Lee"
After which innocent falsehood the
Squire felt decidedly relieved.
I'm sure I'd as lief marry you as any
man." answered the widow, blushing,
and looking as pretty as rose.
'It's all settled then, cried the delight
ed Squire. and kissed her plump on the
lips just as the door opened and Charley
and Ruth came in.
"Allow me to make you acquainted
with my new housekeeper." said the Squire
bowling very low to hide his red face.
"And allow me to present my wife
that is to be-" answered Charley. lyon
take the mother and I'll take the girl"
am happy to state that under the ''new