Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1888-01-27
One OF The Family.

GOau tUhG DsGubilui July III DI UluS dbu
he Was Just about To throw an arm
ful Of them over the fence as she
came eroucd the corner.
The sun-bonuet she Wore was ex
ac,ly like the one he remembered tC
have seen her mother wear twenty
yea ago and he remembered, too
as be looked at this one, and the
fresh, rosy face under it, how that
one had made his heart flutter the
first time be saw it, how he was so
bewitched by il, that be had walk
ed home with Hestor Morgan, aud
that be had had hard work to keep
from proposing to her.
He wondered now "a he had won
dered many lines in the twenty five
years that had gore by since then
why he never did propose to her.
He had meant to marry some
time, and he was sure she had liked
him in the old days; but something
had come between them. and she had
married Robert .Reene, and be had
married his cousin Mary
AS be looked at Hestor's daughter
this summer morning, the old fire
stirred under the dust and ashes o.
twenty i've years. and he felt little
fame spring up in his heart.
Good morning, Lucy" he said
leaning over the fence.
"Ohl" exclaimed Lucy, with jump
II didn't see you and you came near
soaring me. Isn't it PLEASANT"
"Yes it is pleasant, answered the
farmer, looking straight at her pretty
face. "How's your mother?"
"Pretty well," anwered Lucy
"Your stra " berries are doing splen
didly, aren't they? We're provoked
about ours. The hens got into the gar
den. and mother says she don't think
we'll have a pa,lful of berries in all ,
II want to koow!" exclaimed the
farmer. Now tell yor mother
she's welcome to all she wants out o
nv patch. She can have 'em just
as well as not There's going to bt
a sight morn we'll want, and I'd
rather have them used than wasted ,
II will tell her," answered Lncy
81 know she'll be delighted at the
chance. You know what hand she
is to make strawberry preserves "
Eyes. do" answered the farmer
thinking of Old times 81 remember
she could beat all the other house
keepers at that. They used to say
that she had a kuack for making
strawberry jam that nobody else
could get hold Of"
"She hasn't lost it yet," said Lucy
She'll be pleased TO have you come
to test some CHE made last year. She
had unusually go d luck"
'I'll do IL. ne sad Tell her III
come over on Saturday. if it's agree
able, and | reckon the berries will be
ripe by that time, SO | can pick a
pailful. II they be, Pil bring soma
over
Thank you" said Lucy "If you
do, we'll have shortcake. III tell her
to expect you to tea on Saturday
then?"
"Yes," answered the farmer. "I'll
be round if nothing happens. On,
beard from Charley yesterday. He'll
he home in day or two to stay"
"That'Il be pleasant for you." re-
piled Lucy, STOPPING down to pick up
a daisy.
lie could not see how rosy the lace
under the bewitching sunconnet grey
all as once. If he had it might have
set him to thinking.
Eyes it will" said the farmer
"Charley's a good boy"
Il think III have to be going" "
said Lucy. I'VE will expect you at
tea, Saturday. remember"
81 won't disappoint you" said the
farmer; and he went back to pull
ing weeds.
Il think it's foolish to think of such
q thing, he said to himself, but Idoni
see as its anybody's business bu. ours
If zee fit to marry Lucy aud she's
willing, I'm going to do it p"
From which you see that the farm
era old fancy to the mothers had
suddenly been transferred to the
daughter.
Charley came the next day.
IL suppose III have tell him wha,
pve been thiDkining about, though,
the farmer. "I'd about as soon take
horse whipping, I declare. Blu,
there isn't any use in dreading it, and
putting it off as ! know Of"
Accordingly when they were sit
ting on porch after supper; the far
mer began:
"I've been thinking Of getting a
new houskeeber," be announced.
won't Aunt Sarah stay?" asked
Charley.
IL mean a housekeeper Of an
other kind he stammcred," he said
wiping his lace vigorously.
Charley gave whistle Of surprise
staring bard at his faLher.
"Who is it to be, if / may ask sucf
a question:" he said
Down the road" said the farmer
jerking his thumb over his shoulder
in the direction Of Widow Kee' e's.
He couldn't muster up enous b cour
age TO say it was Lucy
"Ahs That's the way the wipt
blows, is it?" laughed Charley I'm
glad to hear it. You couldn't do bet
ter"
"I'm felt sure you would like Lucy
as-a member Of the family"
Il havu't any objections, if she ha
not"
80 that is over, said the farmer
ns Charley trolled down the road
81 wonder why he never took fancy
to her / s'pose folks'll say Pm al
old fool, but ! don't care"
While he sat there, Charley was tell
ing Lucy his father had keener eye
tha1 be had given him credit for. fol
he seemed TO understand how matter
stood perfectly. And what he toll
her after that is none Of your bust
ness or mine, though | feel sure tina
it had something to do with Lucy
becoming one of the family.
About O'Clock on Saturday after
noon, Mr. Kimbali, IN his best coa
and n pail OF strawberries on his arm
knocked at Mrs Keene's door.
mGnnd nfrernnnn 81 y snid the tuidnm