Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-04-16

Yes, / know" said the Squire, turn.
ing little red in the face; 'but Mrs.
Brown amt such woman as we need.
She don't take such an interest in the
work as woman would who-who had
more interest in it.
At which extremely logical argument
the Squire got more fidgetv than ever.
q understand that, F." said Charley. eft
she had personal interest in the place.
and in being prudent and 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 fer. That's about all
we can expect of her"
"Just so, !" said the Squire, glad to know
that Charley agreed with him so far. GIVE
been thinking that we ought to have some
one here who would take personal inter
est in the matter. l don't see as you IN
tend to get married, and don't know but
I'd better.''
"Get married." exclaimed Charley; " I
didn't know as you ever thought of such
thing"
"I haven't till this morning" said the
Squire. q got to thinking about it, and
| think it's good plan. You've no OBJ
jections ?"
OF course not" answered Charley.
" If you get married, I only hope that she
will make you happy"
She aoiU, said the Squire, decidedly.
" I'm sure of it."
May ask who she isl" asked Char
ley.
IL haven't asked her yet - said the
Squire. I'd rather not tell you till l
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. It 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.
a never haG any idea OF it before
said voice which he recognized as
Charley's "He said he never thought
of it till this morning. I 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
a wife.
He said he didn't see as I ever in
tended to get married" went on Charley.
81 didn't tell him I'd got a wife already
pICACNi OANs III oJlLC 11C u dpD1ONCO1 III
taste in making a selection.'
What nOnsense!' laughed voice that
the Squire knew was Ruth's. eff Pm
going to marry you, want you to quit
making such speeches."
Ills wife! good gracious!"
The Squire came near dropping his
strawberries, he was so taken by surprise
Il declared" exclaimed the Squire :;
+" 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 men'
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 smart, " capa-
BILE" woman
cpl do itr' exclaimedsthe Squire.
He knocked. The door was opened by
the widow, round-cheeked, rosy and
smiling.
"Why, Squire Dudley, good evenlngn
she exclaimed; "you haven't been here
in so long time | hardly knew you
Take this rocking chair, and let me take
your hat"
al brought you over9some trawber-
ries," said the Squire Ruth told me
your crop had proved failure"
81 am a thousand times obliged to
you" said the widow "Such nice lot
as l would have had. l was so pro
vOkedr"
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"
a want to knowm 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"
4 wish you would" said the Squire.
"Things are all going to wreck and ruin
about the place. faint to be expected a
hired woman will take much interest, /
s'pOse."
mo, l 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 plate of cake.
"Do have bite" said the widow. off
I'd have known you was coming I'd have
made d cherry pie. remember you used
to like my cherry pies"
- WISH JOA VI SOAIlC duu DldhS
cherry pies for me all my life" blurted
out the Squire. g came down to ask
you to marry me, Mrs. Lee"
What f1b, Squire Dudley!
I'm sure I'd as lief marry YOU as
anybody" answered the widow, looking
as pretty as a rose.
ats 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 administration" things are no
| longer going to wreck and ruin.-Rurag
Ne0. Yorker.
Need One Hurry!
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