Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-04-01
Vol. 60.-352O. No. 24.

other corner of the garden, and stopped q
moment to End out il it was the widow and
her daughter.
." | never had any idea OF IL before" said
a voice which he recognized as Charles.
He said he hadn't thought anything about
il until to-day; | could not find out whom
he bad in view. hope it isn't old Miss
Sharp. She would like to get somebody"
lie said be didn't see as | ever intended
to get married." went on Charlie. al
didn't tell him | had got me a wife picked
out, but | wanted to. attn sure be ap-
proves my taste in making a selection"
"What nonsense !" laughed a clear, pleas.
ant voice-Ruth's voice, the Squire knew
the moment he heard IT, elf am going
to be your wife, want you to quit laugh
ing at me in that sly way, pretending you
are hattering me all the time"
His wife2 Good gracious"
The Squire was so taken by surprise that
he came near dropping his strawberries
So it was settled between them. And be
had come near proposing to bis sons in
tended wife. He felt cold all over at the
thought of it. How lucky that he did not
take Charlie into his confidence, aud tell
him who he had concluded to marry.
"I declare said the Squire, " I've made
mistake this time, sure enough. The
rascal has got the start of me. I'd like to
know what | am to do2 I've told him
that intended TO get married, and if |
don't he'll likely as not mistrust something
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 woman.
She would make fne mistress for his
empty house. Why shouldn't he marry her,
since be could not have her daughter
"I'll do it," exclaimed the Squire, bound
to 90 through with the matter since he had
got so far. "I'll do it,"
He knocked The door was opened by
the widow, round.cbeeked, rosy and smiling.
"Why, Squire Dudley Good evening""
she exclaimed. al hardly knew you at first;
haven't been in here 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.
"Oh Ruth told me your strawberry
crop proved failure, so thought I'd run
over and bring you few. Strawberry short
cake don't go bad this time Of the year"
"I'm a thousand times obliged to you"
said the widow, taking the baskst. "I was
so provoked to think the hens should spoil
mine. Such nice lot as would have had. :"
IF you want any to preserve, come over
and get EN-" said the Squire We've
plenty of 'em. Mrs. Brown-she won't use
them, | suppose"
81 want to know" exclaimed the widow.
"You ought to have them done up. They
are so nice in winter | would like to get
some for jam; and if Mrs Brown won't take
care of them, I'll put them up on shares"
al wish you would" said the Squire.
Things are going to wreck and ruin about
my place. II aint to be expected hired
woman will take any interest in affairs"
"No; that's so."
1t was strange that the Squire had not
found out how things we're going to wreck
and ruin before. Mrs. Brown had been
there ever since Mrs. Dudley had died.
The Squire aud the widow kept up
pretty brisk conversation, and at the end ol
an hour he was more deeply in love with
her than her daughter, and began to won.
der how he had been so blind as to over
look such delightful woman 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 aud drink,
urged the widow. "Id have made cherry
pie | remember you used to like my
cherry pies"
81 wish you'd come and make cherry piei
for me all your life" blurted out the Squire
turning very red in the face again. 81
came 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 de-
lighted Squire, and he kissed her plump OF
the lips just as the door opened, and Charlie
and Ruth came in.
"Allow me to make you acquainted with
/, my new housekeeper," said the Squire
bowing very low to hide his red face.
/, "And allow me to present my wife-tha'
is to be-" answered Charlie. 4" You tax,
the mother, and I'll take the girl"
/; | am happy to state that under the new
administration" things are no longer going