The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-07-18
The 'Squire's WOOing.

In his lie ne mad loved ner mOlner,
and the daughters face seemed exactly
like the one he had known so well.
Good morning." he cried out,
cheerily, from his work.
Good morning." said the girl, stop
ping at the fence and shading her eyes
with her hands. MY! how your
strawberries grow-I don't believe
We'll get paiful out of our patch"
Well, you tell your ma she can
help herself to mine whenever she
wants 'em. Let me see. Tell her I'll
come over Saturday and bring some of
them with me. But l say, had let
ter from Charley yesterday" with a
smile
90 Yes?" she said, blushing and pull
ing at daisy in her hand. "You
ought to be glad of that, squire. Com
ing down here?"
For few days; that's all"
Well, don't disappoint us Satur-
day." as she turned to go.
!" WON'T" said the Squire, going
back to his work.
He was very thoughtful, however,
all the afternoon, and when Charley
arrived he took an early opportunity to
corner him.
Olive been thinkin' some lately
of gettin' new housekeeper," he stam-
mered growing very red in the face.
Doesn't Aunt Sarah want to stay?"
asked Charley, unsuspectingly.
IL meant-ahem Ia housekeeper
of-of another kind!" exclaimed the
squire, explosively, wiping his face
very theoretically after the completion
of the difficult sentence.
&C think l begin to understand"
said Charley, in great surprise. "May
l ask who it is?''
"It's-it's-down the road" an
swered the squire, choking consider
thumb over his shoulder in the direc-
ton of the Widow Keene's.
"That's the way the wind blows, is
it?' laughed Charley. You couldn't
do better if you hunted the world over"
Pm glad to hear you say So" said
his father, much relieved. 81 felt sure
you'd like to have Lucy as-as "a
member of the family"
haven't the least objection to such
an arrangement" answered Charley,
with twinkle in his eyes.
"Thank the Lord, that's over with"
said the squire, drawing long breath,
as Charley strolled off down the path
in the twilight "That's sensible boy.
/ wonder, now, that he never took
fancy to Lucy. Is'pose folks III say Pm
an old fool. but l don't care"
About four O'Clock on Saturday after
noon the squire, in his best coat and
with pail of strawberries on his arm,
knocked at Mrs. Keene's door.
Z" Good afternoon" she said, opening
the door to her visitor. He couldn't
help thinking that her face was almost
as fair as it had been twenty-five years
ago as she welcomed him in.
The Squire wanted to say he'd like
her daughter, but concluded he wouldn't
just then.
BY that time he was in the sitting
room. Who should he see there but
Charley, holding worsted for Lucy TO
wind, and seeming very much at home.
"l-I didn't expect to see you here"
he stammered.
Then Charley and Lucy tried hard to
look very demure and failed, and finally
got to laughing. The Squire felt his
face growing uncomfortably warm.
"Just see what he brought u.s." said
the widow, displaying the berries. If
you'll hull some, Lucy, We'll have a
shortcake for tea. 1 remember you
used to be rather fond of shortcake
a good many years ago." she said to
the squire, and smiled till dimple
showed itself in each cheek.
Z" | know what you're thinkin' of"
responded he. "That was little the
best shortcake l ever came across,
Hactar Il
over the recollection of some pleasant
event in by-gone years. Then Lucy
and her mother went to the kitchen
and the squire and his son were left
together"
"I-I've spoken to her about being
one of the family and she's willing"
said Charley, with little blush.
What" The squire felt hot and
cold by turns. ell don't under
standp'
You know what you said the other
night, when you told me you thought
of getting her mother for house
keeper" explained Charley. 81 sup
posed from that that you understood
Lucy and | intended to be married
sometime. We've talked it over, and
it's all settled"
The Squire was speechless for the
space of a minute.
g hope you'll be happy" he man
aged to say, very family, at last.
Just then the widow came in.
"I've got the cake baking" she said.
Lucy said she'd hull the berries and
set the table, and sent me in to play
lady So l came"
Charley concluded he could hull
strawberries, too, and slipped out into
the kitchen.
The squire had made up his mind
again: IT he couldn't have Lucy he'd
have her mother
What's the use of waiting ?''
thought he. SIT might as well be
settled now as any time"
A happy thought came to him as he
cast about for words to express his
desire.
HESTER" very suddenly, and with
the energy of desperation, "you said il
you had anything I'd like l was wei.
come to it. / want you"