Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-10-25

4 Idtuer late iaSb nlSn1, ana Ielb CEOWSy
this morning. Fine morning isn't itf"
Very enchanting" replied Mrs. Han
son, who greatly prided herself On the
elegant propriety of her language: at is
beautiful enough for morning in the
gorgeous land Of the Orientals. But to
change the subject, we called on matter
of business"
"What's the difficulty low, Mrs. Han
son? A new carpet fo- the parsonage or
is $50 wanted by the missionary society
Come, speak out!"
"Ah, squire, it's wuss than that" ex-
claimed Mrs. Wilkes, no longer able to
keep silent, sit is som ething that con-
sarns you, squire, consarns your eVerlas-
tin and eternal well bein'."
Indeed! Well go on" said the squire,
looking very much surprised.
Mrs. Hanson drew long breath and
began:
Squire, we called to see if you were
thinkln' of marryin' again, we"
'You were not going to propose to me
we're you ladies? should be exceeding
ly happy to receive such proposals, but
should have Deacon Hanson and ajor
Wilkes in my hair forthwith It would
not do ladies'"
"No, we supposed you had already made
your selection of the person who is to fill
your dead wife's place, and we have call
ed to talk to you about her. We have
understood that she was in your house,
and if agreeable we would be pleased to
sac her. Our interest in you and your
motherless child has induced US TO do
this" Mrs. Hanson spoke with solemn
dignity and her tone was evidently in
tended to impress the squire power
fully.
"And we want TO know where you got
acquainted with her, squire, and how old
she is. and if she knows how to do house
work." said Mrs. Wilkes.
Glow did you learn anything of this ~
asked the squire, evidently somewhat
non-plussed by the extraordinary know
ledge of his affairs displayed by the visi-
tors.
"We heard Of you ridin' out with her,
Squire, she dressed all in pink with a
green silk bonnet. It don't look very well,
squire TO see q man Of your age, ridin'
out with such young gal"
"Well, ladies, pose [ should take a
notion TO get married? You couldn't
blame me, think. Here am with no
houseEeeper, and led girl 20 oversee
things, and my home IS none o. the most
orderly. ElmetGa needs some one TO care
for her, and it wood not be il nature
for a Iather to be unmindful Of the in
terests o: his child.'
'Why, no, Of course not, but then, if
you needed a housekeeper, my Julia Ann
would come erd look after things. She's
a capital manager and very fond of chill
dren. She and Elmetta sweet little thing,
would get on admirably"
eyes, or my Mary Elizabeth either.
She'd be tickled to death to come, she
thinks SO much of Squire Richards and
his little girl. And, if do say it, Mary
Elizabeth's is a nice gal as there is any
where
"Mary EIizabeth'5 health is too feeble
for much exertion, Mrs. Wilkes; you
don't do rig ht to put anything hard upon
her; you know she has q pain in her side
half the time,"
"Weil," said the squire, az last, 81 don't
know what TO think about it. I don't be-
lieVe Elmebta wonid give up this lady in
pink as you call her, at all; she has taken
a wonderful liking to her."
"Where did she come from squire !?
You hain't told us anything about her
yet"
"To be sure, Mrs. Wilkes. Well, l
found her in miIliner shop in the city
of Buffalo"
Gin a milliner shop! Then she is q
milliner, is she? Well, Inever!"
"WilI you be kind enough to favor US
with an introduction, [ should be happy
to see her before form an opinion of
her character"
Mrs. Hanson was very petronizing,
and SO the squire seemed to think,
for he hesitated a moment before he
said:
"Well, Mrs. Hanson, it will be an ad
vantage to her TO form the acquaintance
of two such estimable ladies as my pres
ent company, and I shall be very glad to
present her to you. Pray excuse me for
a moment"
"Stop squire"' exclaimed Mrs. Wilkes.
"What's her name?"
Jennie Ray" replied the squire, as he
disappeared IN the passage.
Jennie Ray, q regular story name!
Some city highfier, 'spose."
Every likely, Mrs. Wilkes, out see the
squire's made up, and its no use to say
anything. We must make the best OF
her."
Just as Mrs. Hanson let fall this mag
unanimous speech the door opened and
the squire appeared.
Ladies'" said the squire bowling polite
politely, permit me to present to you
Miss Jennie Ray, my daughters wax doll
which I purchased in Buffalo last week
and which arrived the day before yester
day at the depot by express. The cost OF
it was $40, and at present have no in
tention OF maklng it my wife y
Poor Mrs. Wilkes! Mortified Mrs
Hanson! With burning faces thqy took
their leave, and siAce then | bsliefe, they
have miraculously minded their own
Business.
Squire Richards was somewhat ecoeu-
trio, and knowing how busibodies were
gossiping about him, and having bought
| large wax doll for his little daughter,
the idea struck him that it would be a
/ fine joke on the scandal loving people OF
Whcatfeid TO take it from the packing
case and ride home with it in his buggy
in full view of the public. Ne have seen
| the result.
The squire is still unmarried, and bids
| fair to remain thus, his widowed sister
having established herself as mistress OF
his family. Mrs. Wilkes and Mrs. Han
son would not like their unfortunate mis-
take made public, and I wish as particr
| lar favor that those who read this story
will keep it as private as possible.
| The Origin of Tea.
The tea plant grew for endless centur
les in Central Asia, and the guileless Ce-