Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-04-25


twinkle in his eyes.
"Thank the Lord that's over WITH"
said the Squire, drawing long breath,
as Charley strolled off down the path in
the twilight CHATS sensible boy. I
wonder, now, that he never took fancy
to Lucy. I spose folks'll say I'm ain old
fool, but don't care. She ain the first
one that's married a 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 we'll how matters
stood between them. What he told her
after that, is none of your business, nor
mine, though am quite sure 1t 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 a 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.
''Reres some strawberries" he said,
presenting his gatherings. Lucy said
the hens played mischief with yours"
"I'm thousand times obliged to you, "
said the widow. off I've anything that
you'd like, hope you'll say 500
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 lnIi-
tation to tea, too" said Charley.
"You kept 1t pretty sly; but 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 tace
growing uncomfortably warm.
Gust see what he has brought US" the
widow said, displaying the berries. IF
you'll hull some, Lucy, We'll have a
| shortcake tor tea. / remember you used
to be rather fond of shortcake, a good
many years ago." she said to the Squire,
and smiling till dimple showed itself
in each cheek.
81 know what you're thinking off, re-
sponded he. "That was little the best
shortcake 1 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, and 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. 81 don't quite under
stand!"
'Yon know what you said the other
night, when you said you thought of
getting her mother tor a housekeeper,' -
explained Charley. Il suppose from
that, that you understood Lucy and
intended to be married, sometime.
So, we've talked it over and it's all
settled"
The Squire was speechless, Tor the
space of minute. What he thought in
that length of time could not be conden-
sed into page of this paper. ~ hope
you'll be happy he managed TO say,
very family, at last.
inst then the widow came in. "I've
| 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 1t
all over, 1t was great deal better that
| way. He wondered how he could have
been foolish enough to think of marry
ing a girl of twenty and he fifty. Rldic-
ulous! The widow talked about this and
that: but his mind seemed to be wander
| ing-so much so, that his replies were
hardly appropriate at times. whats
the use Of waiting9" thought he. 81.
might as we'll 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,very
suddenly, snd with the energy of despair
alton, you said if you had anything I'd
like was welcome to it. want you'll
"Why, Squire Klmballl" cried the
widow, blpshing SO rosily. that he felt
sure she was prettier than her daughter.
eyes, want you," he said, waxing
holder. And he told her the mos. out
rageous fib: II came over on purpose
to tell you so. | hope you haven't any
objection"
When Lucy came in halt an hour later
to tell them supper was ready, Squire
Kimball 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 blunder!" cried, the
Squire. meant this is Mrs. Kimball,
or going to be.
II s'pose may kiss my father, them"
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.