American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-04-04
CANTON MISS. SATURDAY, 4,

been thinking that we ought to have some
one here who would take a personal inter
est in the matter. don't see as you IN.
tend to get married, and l don't know but
I'd better"
"Get married!" exclaimed Charley; " |
| didn't know as you ever thought of such
a thing"
IL haven't till this morning" said the
Squire. g got to thinking about it, and
| think it's good plan. You've no OBJ
jectionss"
| "0f course not" answered Charley
"If you get married, I only hope that she
will make you happy"
"She niu," said the Squire, decidedly.
| "I'm sure of it"
"Nay ask who she isl" asked Char
ley
IL haven't asked her yet" said the
Squire rI'd rather not tell you till 1
find out what she thinks about it"
Prudent Squire Dudley! That after
noon he picked pailful of his finest straw
berries, and directly after tea started off
across lots in the direction of the Widow
Lees with the berries on his arm. 1t was
dusk before he got to the widows, for he
walked slowly. He was thinking what to
say As he reached the gate he heard
voices and stopped.
?" never had any idea of it before, ,"
said q voice which he recognized as
Charley's. "He said he never thought
of it till this morning. 1 couldn't find
out who it was to be. hope it isn't
Miss Sharp" ; -
The Squire burst out into a cold per-
SEPARATION at the thought of Miss Sharp for
wife. -.+
"He said he didn't see as I ever in
tended to get married." went on Charley
&C. didn't tell him I'd got wife already
picked out. I'm sure he'd spproveof my
taste in making selection"
"What nonsensei ~ laughed a voice that
the Squire knew was Ruth's. "If I'm
going to marry You, I want you to quit
making such speeches"
"His wifei good gracious!'
The Squire came near dropping his
Strawberries, he was so taken by surprise.
az declare!' exclaimed the Squire;
f" I've made a mistake this time. The
rascal has got the start of me. I'd like
to know what I'm to do. I've told him
intended to get married, and I've got to
now Dear mel"
A bright thought flashed into the per-
picked 'Squire's head. There was the
widow. She was more suitable for him
than Ruth would be. She was near his
own age. A fine woman; asmart, ''capa-
BILE" woman.
"I'll do it," exclaimed the Squire.
He knocked. The door was opened by
the widow, round-cheeked, rosy and
smiling.
"W6y, Squire Dudley, good EVENING""
she exclaimed; you haven't been here
in so long a time 1 hardly knew you.
Take this rocking-chair, and let me take
your hat"
"I brought you over some strawber-
f1of Pufh fol-
your crop had proved failure"
IL am q thousand times obliged to
you" said the widow. "Such nice lot
as 1 would have had. was so pro-
vokedI'
If you want any more come over and
get 'em," said the Squire. 'Mrs. Brown
she won't do anything with 'em,
s'pose, except we use 'em in the season of
'em.'
81 want to know" exclaimed the wild
ow. "You ought to have 'em done up.
They're so nice in the winter. If Mrs.
Brown can't take care of 'em I'll do 'em
up on shares"
81 wish you would" said the Squire.
90 Things are all going to wreck and ruin
about the place. faint to be expected
hired woman will take much interest,
s'pose."
mo, s'pose not" answered the wild
OW.
By-and-by the widow hustled out and
came back presently with a pitcher of
last years cider and a plate of cake.
"Do have bite" said the widow. off
I'd have known you was coming I'd have
made a cherry pie. remember you used |
to like my cherry pies"
"I-I wish you'd come and make
cherry pies for me all my life" blurted |
out the Squire. Il came down to ask |
you to marry me, Mrs. Lee"
What fib, Squire Dudley! ---
"I'm sure I'd as lief marry you as |
answered the widow, lookin G |
as pretty as rose.
It's all settled then" cried the de-
lighted Squire, and kissed her just as
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-" said Charley. "You take
mother and I'll take daughter"
am happy to state that under the
:" new standardization" things are no
longer going to wreck and ruin.-Rural
Neto Yorker. t-i -