West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1884-11-28
AT SIXTY-FIVE
Major Weatherbeam's Proposal
and Discontinue.


Sixty-fve is not very old. so, in
! deed.
If one is still straight, with a servicca-
ble eye and a tolerable hearing, i'm ad-
dition to a well-illed pockct-book, why.
what is siXty-fve?
To count siXty-iive distinct summers,
and siXN-iive mellow autumns, that
browse into peaceful winters and
awaken in refreshing springs, is great
privilege. Think of the accumulation
OF ideas and experiences, of friends and
memories. A rare age, surely. To be en-
joyed in spite of rheumatic twinpes.
Major Weatherbeam, buttoninp his
elegant fall overcoat about him as he
strobe down the avenue under the
naples, was sure he would not give his
ripe perfection for the callow and taste
less experience of the past. He smiled
up at the bright foliage, and Knocked
the head off a struggling aster i'm his
complacency. He found dime for "A
little boy peeping, widc-eyed into
candy-shop, and stood still to watch the
urchin as he bolted for the door. and
nodded in good fellowship to woman
who watched with him amused The
Major little terrier followed, for once.
quite unrebukcd, and turned with him
up a. broad macadamiZed street at the
right. The firm stride traversed two
blocks quickly, and paused before a
brown stone mansion, with apne-dotted
lawn in front. One naturally puiis "A
little at the end of long walk, whether
one Is siNty-five or not, and if by nature
discreet, pauses awhile TO regain the
breath before vcnturing TO call on
ladies. Any tidy man will dust his
clothes little with his handkerchief.
and twist his mustache trifle when he
wishes to look we'll The Major presses
the bell beside the stately door. and
stands erect A little pause follows. in
which he listens TO the wind running
the gamut of ellin melody i'm those
grouped pines; then the heavy doors
unfold; salute no younger man could
initiate; an inquiry, and closed doors
again, with the Major inside. The
mansion is divided in quarters by two
huge halls, and wide fireplace gives
forth glorious radiation OF heat and
hight over the statues and frescoed
walls. The Major seats himself before
the blaze, and counts the tiles and de
ciphers the inscriptions about the man
tel. There is a rustic of silk skirts, and
tap of feet on the oak stairs. The
Major rises, with a sudden rush of
blood to the head-not apoplectic. sure
ly-and salutes the red-draped figure
through the interstices of the balustradc.
lie handed the ladySdown the last
steps and led her across the hall. while
a green parrot hoped at her heels.
Mnrorqt.tr'' - Il.
violoncello-"It is not usual for busi-
ness-man like myself to call on a lady
of an afternoon
Therefore, sir is the honor all the
greater pOising one toe on the fender
To aid her balance in the high-seated
leather chair.
Therefore is the need great, my dear
young ladvl"
"Oh! hal ha! ha." in musical STAG
cato from the high-back chair At sixty
five one is too dignifed 10 like such a
laugh I'm connection with ones self.
Yes, Miss Wheatcroft. ! felt / could
not, in justice 10 YOU or myself remain
longer without cOnfessing TO YOU my at
titudc towards YOU.
"Oh how kind Of You, very sincerely
81 looked looked for YOU all day yes
tcrday, sir "a little hurriedlv. with the
red deepening about the dmplcs.
lhe Major head gave an involuntary
Jerk. Girls were, once. more decorOus
His deceased Julia Ann would never
have shown such impulsivcness. Yet IL
must be confessed twas extremely fiat
tering; and then, good heaven. what
eyes The apoplectic symptoms re-
turned.
Miss Margery, how gracious Of YOU
to say so. I'm sure / never hoped -"
Yes. and was making all sorts Of
plans for us two. Poll. come downl
Major, she's trying TO pull your hair!
Look out sir: she'll scratch youi Here.
give her 10 met There. Miss Poll. Won
sit on my chair. You can't pull my
haia because / don't reach up high
enough-ha! hai ha--eh. Major?" her
teeth cleaning out in the glow from the
cedar fire. Yes. ! was thinking. YOU
see, how proud / should be Of YOU You
arc so tall, and-now. don't mind. for
I'm going TO fatter you all the rest Of
your days-and 50 handsome! And
how proud I hoped you would be- OF
me' ca hqlf-rising attitude on the
part Of the MAior. who is forgetting de-
corum, and how girls were forty years
ago)
Ol' MAJOR You are nnding the blaze
TOO hot. How stupid Of me to let you
roast I'm that manner Here. let me put
up the screen. Isn't 10 pretty one? /
embroidered it myself See. 10 repre-
sents an Italian princess under am lex
tree. ! think She looks trinc like
your son, Ned, only, Of course, hos not
done in kensingtou. Well. / was PLAN
ming that once in awhile. on very grand
occasions, you might take rue out with
you