Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1888-01-27
each other and laughed. and the far
mon f.,It hi, faaa rrnn rod

Just see what he's brought us
said the widow displaying the ber
ries. 'If you'll help to pick 'em
Lucy, we'll have a short cake for tea
| rene mber how fond you used to be
of short cake years ago." and the
widow smiled at the farmer until
there was dimple in each cheek
Her words brought vividly back tc
him the happiest experiences of 6
quarter of a century previous.
Il remember, too" he responded.
Then Lucy and her mother went
out.
"I've spoken to her about being
one of the family and she is willing" "
said Charley.
Ill don't understand" said the
farmer 10 great bewilderment. growing
hot then cold.
why, you know the other night
you thought of getting her mother for
housekeeper," explained Charley.
"I supposed from what you said tina,
you knew Lucy and / intended to gel
married. It's settled
Mr. Kimhall sat speechless. What
he thought in the next FIVE minutes
could not be described. His brain
worked with speed and intensity tc
which it was q ute unaccustomed
IL hope you will be happy" he
stammered at last, feeling that some
thing was expected of him, and amia
bly, desirlous of maintaining. as far as he
could, the genial, happy spirit of the
occasion.
'.I'm sure we WILL" said Charley.
II hope you will too"
Pretty soon the widow came 10.
"The shortcake is baking" she
said Lucy said she'd pick the
berries aud set the table. and sent me
in to play lady and entertain the com
pany."
Charley watched his opportunity
and slipped into the kitchen. The
two more than middle-aged people
were left to entertain each other
The sly boy Cupid nsve- had an op.
portunity given him like this
The farmer bad made up his mind
again. If he couldn't have Lucy he'C
have her mother if he could get her
Come to think it all over" be
told himself, lit was the best plan by
all Odds"
He wondered be could have beer
foolish enough to thini
of marrying q girl o
twenty-one or two. The idea was
ridiculous.
"What's the use of waiting?'
thought be. lit might as we'll be
settld now az any other time"
"Hestor," he began, getting red
again, Charley and Lucy are going
TO get married Why shouldn't we?'
Mr.. Kimball blurted out the ques
tion with startling emphasis.
why. Mr. Kimball," cried the
widow, b.ushing 80 rosily that he
thought her prettter than her daugh
ter.
II came over on purpose to ash
you" he said. telling a most outra
geous fh II hope you haven't any
objections"
Whom Lucy came in a half an hour
later to say tea was ready, the far
mer rose up, blushing like girl. and
jerked his thumb toward the widow
then said in voice that shook a lit.
tie:
That's your mother. Lucy. l
mean she's Mrs Kimball. or going to
be. It's all settled
Il s'pose | may kiss my father"
said Lucy, and she plunped a kiss
on the farmers lips. who said she
might give him another for her faith
erin law while she was sbout,it if she
had no objections. "One will an'
swer for BOTH" said Lucy.
Then the farmer gave bis arm to
the woman he had meant TO marry
Eve and-twenty years ago and led bel
out to tea. He has never regretted
that matters turned out as they did
Lucy can't be beat for dangh
te,." he tells himself; "bnt l don't
want any better wife than her
mother makes "