Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-02-19

the widow, displaying the berries. ''lf
you'll help pick 'em. Lucy. We'll have
shortcake for tea. | remember how fond
YOU used TO be of strawberry shortcake
wears ago" and the widow smiled at the
farmer till there was dimple in each
cheek. Her words brought wildly back
to him his happiest experiences OF
quarter OF century previous.
81 remember, too" he responded.
Then Lucy and her mother went out.
"I've spoken to her about being one OF
the family, and she's willing" said Char
ley. 49,,
"I-don't understand" said the farmer,
in great bewilderment, growing hot. then
cold.
why YOU know what you said the
other night, when you told me you thought
of getting her mother for housekeeper,"
explained Charley. II supposed you I'M
derstood, from what you said, that Lucy
and intended to be married. It's all set
tied"
| Mr.. Kimball sat speechless. What he
thought Of in the next five minutes could
not be described. HIS BRAIN worked with
speed and intensity to which it was
quite unaccustomed.
81 hope you'll be happy" he STAN
mered at last. feeling that something was
expected of him, and amiably DESTROYS of
maintaining, as far as he could, the genial
and happy spirit of the occasion.
"I'm sure we WILL" said Charley. 81
hope you will, too"
Pretty soon the widow came in.
"The shortcake's baking" she said.
Lucy said she'd pick the berries and
set the table. and sent me in to play lady
and entertain the company"
Charlie watched his opportunity and
slipped into the kitchen. The two more
than middle aged people were thus left to
entertain each other. The sly boy Cupid
never had better opportunity given him.
The farmer had made up his mind
again. If he couldn't have Lucy, he'd
have her mother, if he could get her.
"Come to think it all over" he told
himself, "that was the best plan by all
odds"
He wondered how he could have been
foolish enough to think of marrying a
girl Of twenty-one or two. The idea was
ridiculous.
whats the use waiting?" thought he
sit might as we'll be settled now as any
time.''
Hester" he began, getting red again,
Charlie and Lucy are going to get mar
ried. Why shouldn't we?''
Mr.. Kimball blurted out the question
with startling emphasis.
'Why, Mr.. Kimball!" cried the widow
blushing so rosily that he thought she was
prettier than her daughter
IL came over on purpose to ask YOU"
he said, telling most outrageous tib. Il
hope you haven't any objections
When Lucy came in, half an hour later,
to say tea was ready, the farmer rose up,
blushing like girl, and lerked his thumb
toward the widow; then said, in voice
that shook a little
That's your mother, Lucy. | mean
she's Mrs Kimball, or going to be. It's
all settled"
Il s'pose may kiss my father, then,"
said Lucy, and pumped kiss on the
fathers lips. who said she might give
him another for her father-in-law while
she was about it, if she'd no objections.
Zone will answer for both," said Lucy.
Then the farmer gave his arm to the
woman he had meant to marry five-and-
twenty years ago, and led her out to tea
He has never regretted that matters turned
out as they did.
Lucy can't be beat for daughter" he
tells HIMSELF 'but don't want any bet
ter wife than her mother makes. ~ PhiId-
delDhia Call