The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1888-02-11
The Squire's Wooing.

AA'uuuit was
garden, when Lucy Kecne came dow
ahe road that beautiful May morning
The sight Of her fresh young face sc
ahe old man thinking how at one tim
lin his life he had loved her mother, an
the daughters face seemed exactl
i Ike the one he had known so well.
Good morning. he called GU
chcerily from his work.
Good morning!" said the girl, stop
ping at the fence and shading her eye
with her hands. my! how you
Strawberries grow-I don't believ
we'll get pailful out of our patch"
We'll, you tell your ma she can hell
herself to mine whenever she want
'em. Tell her Til come over Saturday
and bring some of them with me. Blu
say. 4 had letter from Charley yes
tcrday," with smile.
.'Yes?n she said. blushing and pull
ing at daisy in her hand. "Yor
ought to be glad of that, squire. Com
ing down here?"
'.For few days, that's all"
''Well, don't d;sappoint 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
10 corner him.
'I-rve been thinkin' some lately OF
;gettin' new housekeeper, he stam-
,mercd, growing very red in the face.
Doesn't Aunt Sarah want to stayp"
asked Charley unsuspectingly.
IL meant--aiiem!- housekeeper
of-of, of-another kindr' explained
the squire rather explosively. wiping
his face very theoretically after the
completion of the difficult sentence.
Il think / begin to understand"
said Charley, in great surprise. MAY
Il ask who it isp'
sIt's-it' s-down the roadr' answer
cd 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
FTP" laughed Charley. I'm glad 10
hear it. You couldn't do better if you
hunted the world over"
"Tm glad to hear you say SO" said
his 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 Il long breath,
as Charley strolled of down tho path
in the twilight That's sensible
boy. I wonder, now. that he never
took fancy 10 Lucy. Is'pose folks'll
say I'm an old fool, but don't care"
About 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.
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 rs years ago, as
she welcomed him iii.
The SOU re wanted 10 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 sec there but
Charley, holding worsted for Lucy to
wind and seeming very much at home.
Ill didn't expect to see you here"
he siammered.
Then Lucy and Charley tried hard to
look very demure and failed. and final
~ got to laughing. The squire felt
his face growing unc0mfortably warm.
''Just see what he brought U.S." said
the widow. displaying the berre s. IF
you'll hull some, Lucy we'll have
shortcake for tea. I remember you
used to be rather fond of shortcake a
few years ago." she said to the squire
and smiling till dimple showed itself
in each cheek.
II know what you're thinkin' Of"
he. 'That was a little the
best shorlcake l ever came across,
Hester" and then they both laughed
over the recollection of some pleasant
event In bygone years. Then Lucy and |
her mother went to the kitchen and the !
squire and his son were left together.
"I-Pve 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 IL don't under
standp
'You know what you said the other
night when you told me you thought
OF getting her mother for housekeep-
err" explained Charley. Il suppose
from that you understood Lucy and 1
intended to lie married sometime. We've
talked it over and it's all settled.
The squire was speechless for the
space of a minute.
Il hope You'll be happy" he man
aged 10 say. very family. at last.
just then the ddow came in.
1--we 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 ! came"
Charley concluded he could hull
strawberries. too. and slipped out into
he kitchen.
The squire had made up his mind
again. Ii he couldn't have Lucy he'd
pave her mother.
"Whats the use of waiting" thought
ne. ut m ght as well be settled now
rs any time"
A happy thought came to him, as he
,ast about for words TO express his de-
lire with.
Hester" very suddenly. and with
he energy of desperat on. "you said if
Tou had anything I'd like. l was well
,ome to it. want your