Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-09-12
Tobias Jones' Matchmaking.
BY s. A. n. MOSS.

BY s. A. II. MOSS.
II say" said Tobias Jones, bringing
down his fist on the dinner. table with
an emphasis that caused the bottles in
Mrs. Tobias new caster to rattle to-
gether ominously. 81 say, wife, have
it now"
"Have what ?" asked Mrs. Tobias.
"Why, an idea, a splendid idea, that
is to say, a plan. You will surely get
an invitation to wedding, Belinda, be-
fore the winter is ended, or my name is
not Tobias JONES'"
"What? who? where ?" asked Mrs.
Jones. ~ am thankful something is
going to happen; I've stayed at home
until l am tired. and my clothes are
out OF fashion"
" If wearing good clothes keeps them
in fashion you might wear them here at
home" suggested her husband.
"That's just the way with you men,"
said Mrs. Jones, "you expect us to
wear our best clothes at all times and in
all places and yet always look new and
fashionable. But who is going to be
married."
"Well, You see. it amt settled fact
yet, but it might as we'll be, for if
Squire Chase and Widow Hooker
should happen to meet, it's my opinion
they would make a match of it; and"
he added, as he noticed his wife's
Heightened face, II think you had bet.
ter send for both of them to come here
to tea tomorrow night. We have no
children, you know. and you ought to
have things in apple-pie order all the
time"
"Children !" exclaimed Mrs. Tobias.
I" You talk as if folks who haven't chill.
dren don't have anything to do. For
my part think work full as hard and
have full as much trouble as any of nv
neighbors who have children. How
ever, don't care how many YOU invite
to tea: I'll have enough for them to
eat; but don't think you II make match
Tor Squire Chase, for know you won't"
Well" said Tobias, "you take
Dobbin and drive over and get the
widow and l will take care that the
sqalre is here all right; and mind you,
belinda, II they are not married before
the winter is over, l will give you new
dress, and if they are, you shall buy me
apound of tobacco"
Agreed" said Mrs. Jones, PRO
yided you bring about the match"
just at sunset Squire Chase was reap.
ing IN the field near the road, when,
happening to look up, he saw his friend
Jones leaning over the fence.
Good evening, Jones'"
Good evening, Squire. I Just
called over to say that my wife is going
10 nave company to tea tomorrow
night, and she wants you to come and
make one of u.s."
Much obliged, neighbor, but l
don't know about it.; I've got to reap all
this field tomorrow. If get done in
season, perhaps I'll come, but don't
look for me. Who are you going to
have-any strangers?
Well, yes, Widow Hooker is q
stranger to you, I suppose, though nv
wife has known her for wears. and sets a
sight by her; she lives over to the
north part OF the town. 1 presume YOU
have heard OF her often enough"
Yes, l have heard of her. sure"
said the squire. 81 suppose she is the
woman who owns the big meadow farm
called the Ok bow, and manages it all
by herself"
Right" said Jones, and thinking to
make matters better, he added. ~
know you would like her, squire. for
most everybody does"
81 don't much admire the women
folks who try to take the places that be.
long by rights to men, said the squire
positively. Here, Siias," he called TO
his youngest son, who had Just returned
from the pasture with the cows. "did
you see the brindled OK tonight ?"
No, father; / hunted and hunted
Tor him. but he's gone, sure"
Hang the luck That's lust the wav
with that brindle, he never iumps nm.
lees the feed begins to get short. and
then he's off for better quarters. / cal.
eolsted to turn him into fall feed to.
morrow"
When Mr.. Jones arrived home he
found that Mr.. Ellis hal been To hire
hundred dollars Of him for short
TIME. and as he had some money on
hand, and Mr.. Ellis was considered
good for thousand or two. he con.
Guided to let him have the money. Har.
Messing his horse. he started for the
house of Mr.. Ellis.
Now this house was not far from Nrs
hooker's, and as Tobias was DRIVING