Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1888-01-05
The Squire's Wooing.

The sight of her fresh young face set
the old man thinking how at one time
in his life he had loved her mother, and
the daughters face seemed exactly
Ike the one he had known so well.
Good morning"' he called out
chcerly 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 a palful out of our patch.",
'Wol. you tell your ma she can help
herself to mine whenever she wants
'em. Tell her I'll come over Saturday
and bring some of them with me. Bnt
say. had letter from Charley yes
terdav," with smile,
''Ycs?" she said, blushing and pull
ing at daisy in her hand. You
ought to be glad of that, squire. Com
ing down here?"
'For n few days, that's ALL"
well, don't dsappoint us Satur-
day." as she turned to 20.
81 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 h m.
'l-I'vc been thinkin' some lately of
gctlin' Il new housekeeper, he stam-
mcred. growing very red in the face.
doesn't Aunt Sarah want to stay?"
asked Charley unsuspectingly.
IL meant-ahcm!-a housckeeper
of--of, of-another kindr' explained
the squire rather explosively. wiping
his face very cnergetically after the
completion of the difficult sentence.
Il think l begin to understand"
said Charley, in great surprise. May
ask who it tsp
"Its-it' s-down the roadw answer
ed the squire. choking considerably
over the words and jerking his thumb
in the direction of the Widow Keene's.
That's the way the wind blows. is
it?" laughed Charley. "l'm glad to
hear it. You couldn't do better if you
hunted The world over
'Im glad to hear You say So" said
Ii s father, much relieved. Il felt sure
you'd like TO have Lucy as--as IA
member of the family"
Il 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 SOU re. drawing long breath.
rs Charley strolIed off down the path
in the twilight "That's sensible
boy. | wonder, now, that he never
took a fancy TO Lucy. l s'posc folks'll
say I'm an old fool, but don't care"
About 1 O'Clock on Saturday after
noon the squire. in his best coat and
with a pal of Strawberries on his arm,
knocked at Mrs. Keeno's door.
Good afternoon. she said, opening
the door TO her visitor. lie couldn't
help thinking that her face was almost
as fair as it had been % years ago as
shC "ciCOIlCN IL III.
The SOU re wanted 10 say hold like
her daughter, but concluded he
wouldn't just then.
b. that tine 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.
IL didn't expect to see you here"
he s!ammcrcd.
Then Lucy and Charley tried hard to
look very demurc and failed, and final
ly got to laughing. The squire felt
his face growing intentionally warm.
''Just see what he brought lis, " sa d
the widow. display ing the berries. 'If
you'll hull some, Lucy, we'll have q
shorlcakc for tea. | remember you
used to dc rather fond of shorlcake a
few Years ago." she said to the squire
and smiling till dmple showed itself
in each check.
II know what you're thinkin' of"
responded he, That was q little the
hest shorlcaEc | ever came across,
Hester" and then they both laughed
over the recollection of some pleasant
event in bygOnc years. Then Lucy and
her mother went TO the kitchen and the
squire and his son were left together.
alive spoken to her about being
one. of the family and she's wiling"
said Charley with little blush.
'What?" The squire felt hot and
cold by turns. IL don't under
standr'
you know what you said the other
night when YOU told me you thought
of getting her mother for a housek eep-
er," explained Charley. Il suppose
from that you understood Lucy and |
intended to lie MARI ed sometime We've
talked it over and it's all settled.
The squire WAS speechless. for the
space of II minute.
i hope you'll be happy" he man.
aged to say. very family, at last.
just then the W ddow came in.
I've got the cake baking" she
said. Lucy said she'd hull the berries
and set the table. and sent mo in to
play lady, so came"
Charlie, concluded he could hull
strawberries, too, and slipped out into
the chen.
The squire had made up his mind
again. Ii he couldn't have Lucy he'd
have her mother.
'Whats the use of waiting" thought
he. ut m ght as well be settled now
as any time"
A happ' thought came to him, rs he
cast about for words to express hs de-
sire with.
Hester" very suddenly. and with
the energy OF desperat on, "you said il
you had anything I'd like, | was wei
come 10 it. ] want your'
"Why, Squire Kimball" cried the
widow, blushimg so rosiIy that he fel
sure she was prettier than her daugh
ter.