The Mineral argus., 1884-07-24

vou deemit advisable to get a wife, |
have nothing to say further than to hope
that you will get some one who will make
you happy"
"She viii, - said the Squire, very de-
cidedly. she will / am sure"
May 1 ask who It's to be?" inquired
Charley.
Haven't asked her yet" an
swered the squire, as red as a rose. I'd
rather wait until I'm sure of her be-
fore l tell who it is. She might say
no, you see, and 1 should feel rather
cheap"
Prudent Squire Dudley. That after
noon he picked of his finest strawberries"
and directly after tea he started of
across lots in the direction of Widow
Lees with the berries en- his arm. 1t
was dark before he got to the Widows,
for he walked slowly. He had very
bad thoughts for company. He was
wondering what it was best to do.
Should he propose to Ruth, or should
he see her mother first? He concluded
that the last was the wiser plan. As he
opened the gate noiselessly. he heard
voices in the other corner of the
garden, and stopped a moment to find
out if it was the widow AID her daugh-
ter.
II neve had any idea of hat before"
said a voice which he recognized as
Charles; mot the least in the world.
He said he hadn't thought anything
about it till to-day. 1 couldn't find out
who he had in view. / hope it isn't old
Miss Sharp. She'd like to get some
body"
The Squire burst into profuse pers-
piration at the thought of having Miss
Sharpfor a wife"
He said he didt sec that 1 ever in
tended to get married" went on
Charley. I didn't tell him 1 had got a
wife picked out, but l wanted to. I am
sure he would approve of my taste in
making a selection"
What nonsence," laughed a clear,
pleasant voice; IF L am going to be
your wife l want you to quit laughing
at me in that sly way, pretending You
are hattering me all the timel"
His wife! good gracious!"
The squire was so taken by surprise
that he came nea dropping his straw
berries. So it was all settled between
them. And he came near proposing to
sons intended wife. He felt cold
all over at the thought of it. How
that he did not take Charley in
to his confidence, and tell him who he
intended to marry.
Il declare" exclaimed the Squire,
Il have made a mistake this time, sure
enough. The rascal got the better of
me. I'd like to know what I'm to do"
I've told him that l intended to get
married, and if l don't he'll likely as
not mistrust something. Dear mel"
The Squire was in trouble. Another
thought occurred to him. There
vas the widow. After all, she would
De more suitable for him than Ruth
would have been. She was somewhere
lear his own age. A fine woman. A
mart woman. She would make a fine
mistress for his empty house. Why
'hould he not marry hey, since he could
have her daughter.
I'll do it," exclaimed the Squire.
pound to go through the matter since
lie had got so far. "I1l do it"
He knocked. The door was opened
~ the Widow, round checked, rosy and
"Why, Squire Dudley, good evening"
he exclaimed. / hardly knew Won at
irst, you haven't been in for so long.
come in take the rocking chair, and let
ne take your hat"
The Widow hustled about and got the
squire a chair and deposited his hat on
he table before he happened to think
f the basket.
oh! Ruth told me your strawberry
rop had proved a failure, so 1 thought
d run v e and bring you q few.
strawberry short-cake don't go bad
his time of year."
81 am a thousand times obliged to
on" said the Widow taking the bas-
ct. II was so provoked to think that
he hens should spoil mine. Such a
ice lot as l would have had.
eff you want any to preserve, come
yer and get EN-" said the Squire
We've plenty of 'em. Mrs. Brown
he won't do anything with 'em, except
S we use them in the season of them, I
oppose"
Il want to know" exclaimed the
Widow. you ought to have them done
They're so nice in the winter. I
like to get some for jam; and if
Brown won't take care of them, I
i'll do them up on shares"
II wish you would" said the Squire. !
Things are all going to wreck and
lin about my place. 'Taint to be ex- :
ected that a hired woman will take any +,
lterest in affairs; and here he sighed
{
mo; that's So" {
1t was strange that the Squire had :
OF found out that things were going :
wreck and ruin before. Mrs. Brown =