River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1883-05-24

C0InSWdy, the lUcA WAS IdAItf IlGlGl4-
GUS, even to him, but he comforted him
self by the thought that he wasn't the
first old man who had married a young
wife.
You see. the squire had fully made NJ
his mind to marry Lucy, and be had'l
stopped TO think what she might say
about it. He took it for granted that
she wouldn't have any objections.
While he sat there thinking these
things over, Charlie was telling Lucy
that his father had limited to him how
matters stood between them as well as!if
he had been told; also. that there was q
possibility. or probability, rather, OF a
double tie between the two families.
And what he told her after is none of
your business or mine, though am will
ing to say that feel sure it had some
thing to DO with Lucy becoming Zone of
the family"
About four o'clock on Sunday after
noon, the squire knocked at Mrs
Keene's door arrayed in his best clothes
and with a basket full of great, scarlet
strawberries on his arm.
Good-afternoon, Squire Kimball,
cried the widow. as she opened the door
for their visitor, with a charming rose
color on her face that male him think
she was almost as fair as she had been
five and twenty years ago.
Here's some strawberries" said the
squire, presenting his offering, fragrant
as June roses, and of brighter crimson,
as they nestled among the green leaves
which he had placed about the edge Of
the basket with a taste one would scarce
ly have expected of Il gray-headed old
man.
But, then, old men in love are not to
1. 49, a4, Il,
t'Thank you,' said the widow taking
obliged to you, I'm sure If I've any
thing you haven't, that you'd like, you've
only to say so. I'd be gald to return the
favor / knew how to. | was delighted
when lucy told me the word you sent
about The strawberries. | don't feel as
if | could keep house without a few jars
of iam.'
TIE squire wanted to say she had
something he'd like, and he'd take her
at her word and take her daughter; but
he didn'g dare to just then.
He intended to talk the matter over
with her before he went home, though.
"Come right this way" said the smil-
ing widow.
She led him into the sitting-roon,
where the squire met a sight that rather
he had thought in the village, holding
worsted for Lucy to wind, and apparent
ly very much at home.
He looked at his father as he came
into the room, and then at the widow;
and then the audacious young fellow
actually winked at the squire, as if
to say, 81 know what you're here
forn
The squire felt his face uncom-
fortably red, and he managed to stam-
mer out:
"I-I didn't expect to find you here,
Charliel
81 happen to find out that you had an
invitation to Tea, where jam and short
cake were to be the principal attractions,
and, having had liking for both ever
since | can remember, | contrived to get
an invitation for myself. It'll be kind
of family party, you see." And then he
laughed, and Lucy tried to look demure,
and the widow got rosy.
AS for the poor squire, he fe!t-well,
he scarcely knew how he did feel, but
he wasn't at all at ease.
''Just see what he brought u.s." said
the widow, displaying the berries. "PIl
make the shortcake, Lucy, if you'll hull
them. | remember you used to like
straWberry-shortcake Squire Kim ball, I"
and the wi low smiled tiff dimple came
in either cheek "Do you recollect the
big one we made in pan, when we used
five Quarts of berries and two quarts oil
cream and had enough left to last two
dAys?"
"Remember it? / rather think | do,
and what happened about that time" and
then the squire and Mrs. keene both
laughed over the memory OF some anus
4 =
berry-time of "auld lang syne."
''I'll make the short cake, said Lucy
| "Charlie can hull berries while I'm mix
| ing it, and when | get through with that,
! can help him. You stay here and visit
with the squire"
"WelI, don't care if play lady, if
you're willing to do the work" laughed
| the widow. "But iii nave to show you
what pans to take the cream from, and
| Mrs Keene and Lucy went out and left
the squire and his son alone together.
"I've spoken to her about being one
| of the family, though it was all under
stood some time ago, as you must have
| surmised, from what you said to me the
other evening" said Charlie, "and she
! hasn't any objections"
'.What!' The squire felt hot and cold
nv turns. "I-I don't understand"
"You know what you said the other
night, don't you, when you told me about
getting her mother for housekeeper?
| Explained Charlie. ABBOTT my liking
| 10 have Lucy for member of the fam
| :ly, | mean. l knew, from what yo,
| said, that YOU understood that we mean
10 get married some time. I've talked
it over with her since that, and it's all
settled but the day. think it would be
Jolly for us all to get married at the
same time. What do you think?'
The poor squire was speechless for the
space of minute. What he thought in
that time could not be condensed into a
column OF this paper.
I-I hope you'll be happy" he man
aged to stammer out at last. II do
really"
80 do l." answered Charlie, "and
am sure we will. And | hope you'll be
told YOU she was Jewel, and ] think sc
more and moro every day. II you aren't
happy with her, you could mt be with
any woman"
Then Charlie went to the kitchen 10
hull straw berries, and look at Lucy, as
she made the shortcake, and thought
as many lover has thought before, hat
the girl he loved was the fajTest girl IL
all the world.
The squire sat and stared at the
carpet blankly when he was left alone
What an awful dilemma he had escaped
He felt chilly at the thought of it. Then
he broke out.in proluse perspiration.
e. Pm glad didn't make a fool OF
myself" he thought. ''Tm not sure but
did as it was. in thinking it would be q
good thing to marry Lucy. She's Toe
young, when l look at the case as
ought to-altogether too young. I'd
better marry her mother. ii Wilt
she'll have me" he concluded, making
up his mind suddenly, as he heard the
widows step in the hall. That's great
deal the best way. | wonder how
could have been foolish enough to think
of marrying girl oftwenty-one or two
and | past fifty. The idea is ridiculous,
he thought, andsthen lad to smile at his
Inconsistency. Not an hour ago there
had been nothing ridiculous in the idea
to him.
The widow came in and sat down by
the window. What a well-preserved
woman she was! Why, he knew of a
| good many girls who would have been
glad to have such fresh, clear complex
ion. Ii was true that thread of white
| showed here and there among heI
brown locks, but there were no deep
wrinkles on her brow, and her eyes were
as bright as ever. And her taught il
took him back FIVE and-twenty years tc
/ listen to it. 1t made him feel young
again,
"What's the use waiting?" thought
the squire II might as well settle the
matter now as any time"
"a IL 70 l.Ts hr