The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1885-05-21
A GOOD MATCH FOR BOTH.

answered he looked through the French
windOws-no one could help it who
stood on the porch-and saw within a
lady and four children.
The lady sat in the big armchair read
ing a story-book. One little one
perched upon her knee. A girl sat
sewing beside the table, making a doll S
dress, but listening to the reading all
the same. One of the boys was max
ing a "hy-trap' of paper-the other
cutting paper-boats.
What happy man Dick is" he
said to himself, with such family
about him. He has stayed at home
and become a solid man, while | have
been roaming over the world. What a
pretty woman she is too"
"Well, sir?" said voice at his ell
bow.
The door had opened as he stood
staring; and rather abashed, he added
to hasty, "Oh, beg pardon" the en-
quiry: '.Is Mr.. Fielding at home?"
The girl shook her head.
No, he amt" she said. 1--WE ex-
pect him home tomorrow. But if you
would like to see Mrs. Fielding"
Take her my card" said Cuthbert,
offering one.
shes just in there said the girl.
Il know" said Euthbert.
"And there amt no light in the par
lor," said the girl.
'.Oh, I'll stay here" said Cuthbert.
The girl vanished.
The next moment the lady appeared
at the door with the book in her hand.
t.M,. ipft, ~ IL al -
Have you been left out here? / sup
pose Ann believed herself to be doing
right. She does the strangest things
under that impression. Walk in. Mr..
Fielding will be so sorry he was away;
but he will be back some time to-mor-
row. and your room is ready for you.
Dick talks so much of you that you
seem quite an old friend"
''It is very kind of you to say so, -
said Cuthbert.
And he entered, and in the space OF
ten minutes felt as if he had known
that little woman as many years. She
made him regret. as no woman ever
had before, that he had never fallen in
owe and married.
A good supper was served shortly.
and when the children began to fall
asleep about the room, Mrs. Fielding
gathered them together, and with a
laugh, bade him goodnight.
'1t is awfully stupid for you that Mr.
Fielding is not home," she said. Your
room is the one just at the head of the
stairs. If you need anything, ring.
Black Sam won't go to bed for hours.
He sits in the kitchen and plays the fid-
die nearly all night. Pleasant dreams y
He arose and bowed, aud said some
thing polite, and went up to his room
very shortly afterwards. 1t was COM
Portable and pretty but he did not
sleep very well; lac tossed about and
found himself dreaming all sorts OF
strange things; he heard one OF the
young Fieldings cry n great deal, and
wondered ii it was sick.
In the morning, going downstairs,
he met a stout old lady ! in an apron.
carrying a bowl and plate on tray.
She gave him good-morning.
lis the child sick" he asked.
Law, no, sirr'
Il heard it cry SO much," he added
in apology.
They always do, bless 'em" said
she. "Alwaysn'
"rd put stop to it, | think" said
Cuthbert to himself. '.if | was Dick. A
strapping little boy like that''
And he did not envy his friends mat
rimonial joys so deeply. But after,
when they were all at table again, those
doubts vanished. He had been very
long stranger to any home, and fol-
years together had sojourned where
women scarcely came. He had made
money; but what had he not missed?
lie told his adventures in the mines
and at far-oif ranches to the children,
who thought it us interesting as fairy
tale. Indeed it was. And Mrs. Field
ing listened, and when the child upon
her knee cried, 'Oh, isn't it splendidP''
she nodded at him and smiled at the
narrator.
Later on in the day letter came,
1t was from Fielding.
He writes" said Mrs. Fielding,
''that he may be detained by business,
but you must stay until he comes
Well go and see the falls to-day, and
there's an old glen and cavern close by,
and an old house that Washington stayed
overnight in, with the original old fur.
niture and family miniatures by Nal.
lone, and all the rest of it. 1t is al
worth driving to see."
He agreed to everything, of course
and he enjoyed himself very much-sc
much that it surprised him. A little
woman who did not talk a great deal
and four children. He should have
thought it would be very dull. On tn,
contrary, he was utterly happy.
That night that dreadful younges
boy shrieked more shrilly than ever
and somebody cried:
There, there, tootsy"
"Id cut a small switch, l think, i
it's not a case for cholera medicine,
Mr.. Cuthbert remarked to himself.
And he looked at the healthy smiling
child in astonishment next day, and fel
inclined to ask questions. He was de
tered by the fear of seeming fussy.
The old woman in the apron oftel
crossed his path, and always witt
something to eat on tray, and he wa
sure he heard voice he did not know
occasionally.
There was a sort of enchanted castl
mystery about all this, and he Nigh
have fathomed it had his mind not beel
occupied by trouble OF his own.
1t came upon him one moonlight eve
ming as he lay lazily in the hammocI
! between two pine-trees, with the smal
/ Albert Edward perched upon his chest
Il yike you, said the talk ative child
do you yike me?"
III you didn'tcry all night would,
said Mr.. Cuthbert.
Il don't cry" said Albert Edward
Don't you?" said the gentleman
well, then like you"
DO you yike Phiwip2" asked Alber
Edward, land Neddie and kittie?'
Yes, indeed. "
do you yike Nurse Smiff?"
rs Nurse Smith the stout lady wit
the tray of eatables?"
YES" said the boy. {
s'Oh, I adore her!'' said Cuthbert
! y hate hsE!' said ths ohild = =