The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-04-28

l. i
fool, but don't care. She ain the first
one that's married man old enough to
be her father
While he sat there and thought the
matter over, Charley was telling Lucy
that his father had keener eyes than he
had given him credit for, and seemed to
derstand perfectly well how matters
stood between them. What he told her
after that, is none Of your business, nor
mine, though am quite sure it had some.
thing to do with Lucy's being one of the
family"
About four o'clock on Saturday after
noon, the Squire in his best coat, and
with pail of Strawberries on his arm,
knocked at Mrs. Keene's door.
''Good afternoon" said she, opening the
door to her visitor. He could not help
thinking that her face was almost as fair
as it had been twenty-five years ago, as
she welcomed him in.
"Here's some straw berries,' he said,
presenting his gatherings. ''Lucy said
the hens played mischief with yours
"1'm thousand times obliged to you,''
said the widow. eff I've anything that
you'd like, hope you'll say So"
The Squire wanted to say he'd like
her daughter, but concluded he wouldn't
just then. By that time he was in the
sitting room. Who should he see there,
but Charley holding worsted for Lucy to
wind, and seeming very much at home.
"I-I didn't expect to see you here"
he stammered
II was fortunate enough to get an ln.i-
fof 10 tao Too
"You kept 1t pretty sly; but I wasn't
to be cheated out OF my share of the
strawberry preserves"
Then Lucy and Charley tried hard to
look demure, and failed, and finally got
to laughing. The Squire felt his face
growing uncomfortably warm.
4Just see what he has brought u.s." the
widow said, displaying the berries. If
you'll hull some, Lucy, We'll have a
shortcake tor tea. I remember you used
to be rather fond of shortcake, good
many years ago. she said to the Squire,
and smiling till dimple showed itself
in each cheek. 81.
81 know what you're thinking Of" re-
sponded be. "That was a little the best
shortcake l ever came across, Hester; -
and they both laughed over the recol-
lection of some pleasant event in by-gone
years. Then Lucy and her mother went
to the kitchen, anu the Squire and his
son were lett alone.
"I-I've spoken to her about being one
OF the family, and she's willing" said
Charley, with little blush.
"What" The Squire felt hot and
cold by turns. IL don't quite under
stand"
"Yon know what you said the other
night, when you said you thought of
getting her mother tor housekeeper,"
explained Charley. 81 suppose from
that, that you understood Lucy and I
intended to be married, sometime.
So, we've talked it over and it's all
settled" .u.
The Squire was speeches., tor the
space of minute. What he thought in
that length of time could not be conden-
sed into page of this paper. II hope
you'll be happy" he managed to say,
very family, at last.
inst then the widow came in. GIVE
got the cake baking" she said. "Lucy
said she'd hull the berries, and set the
table, and sent me in to play lady. So
came"
Charley concluded he could hull straw
berries, too, and slipped out into the
kitchen. The Squire had made up his
mind again. Ifhe couldn't have Lucy
he'd have her mother. Come to think It
all over, 1t was great deal better that
way. He wondered how he could have
been foolish enough to think of marry
ing girl of twenty and he fifty. Ridic-
ulous! The widow talked about this and
that; but his mind seemed to be wander
ingg-so much so, that his replies were
hardly appropriate at times. "What's
the use of waiting?" thought he. 81.
might as well be settled now as any 9TH
er time" A happy thought came to
him. as he cast about for words to ex-
press his desire. "Hester," cried he,ver
suddenly, and with the energy of despair
alton, s'you said if you had anything I'd
like was welcome to it. want youp'
"Why, Squire Klmballp' cried the
widow, blushing so rosily, that he felt
sure she was prettier than her daughter.
eyes, want you,'' he said, waxing
holder. And he told her the most out,
rageous fb: II came over on purpose
800 J'A So' iOp0 yOu udVenG any
objection"
When Lucy came in half an hour later
to tell them supper was ready, Squire
Kimbal rose, blushing like girl, and
said:
This is your mother, Lucy" pointing
to the widow.
''Yes, | knew that long time ago."
laughed Lucy.
!
"Goodness, what a blunder!" cried the
Squire. 1meant this is Mrs. Kimban.
or going to be.
81 s'pose may kiss my father, then"
said Lucy, and kissed the delighted
Squire plump on the mouth.
"And you may give me another for
your father-in-law, while you're about
it" he said.
"one1l answer for both," said Lucy,
archly.
And then the Squire gave his arm to
the woman he had meant to marry FIVE
and-twenty years before, and led her out
to tea, perfectly satisfied with the way
things had turned out. And so were all
the others. And, being in a happy frame
II u -