The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1888-07-20
Old MR. K!cKLEP0D.
by ELEAxoR n

'D
case OF sickness or misfortune | will
gladly give my consent to your mar
riage."
How much money. papa?"
Really. Flossie, you are incorrigi-
bic. Say $1,000"
"And that, with his present salary
would take five years at least"
"And you would have reached the
advanced age of o."
pretty old. papa"
Eyes n the neighborhood OF the'sere
and yrliow."
I've a good mind to marry Mr..
Nici!epod."
Excellent idea. He wodlddoubtless
settle a million on you. and be accom-
modating enough to die in amonth or
two"
He's most old enough to die, isn't
he?"
Judge Somerton looked up from his
pile of papers and gave his daughters
speaking c~ountenance q quick exam
nation. There was something in her
manner OF asking this question q little
different from usual, and the judge
was an expert in detecting shades OF
this kind.
"Mr. Nicklepod told me one day
that he would give anything if he
could have me about his house all the
time" the girl went on, half laughing
and half pouting.
"You would make splendid trump
eter, Floss"
The Judges suspicious were quite
allayed now. and the easiest way out
OF these annoying love complications
was to treat the matter as lightly as
possible.
ooh, my lungs are good" said Flos-
sic; land l wouldn't mind singing into
the trumpet. Papa somerton, what a
lark! Think of how many edifying
things l could say with my back to
the poor old gentleman. | could abuse
him to all the furniture in the house,
and he'd eve be the wiser. I'll con-
slider it, papa"
"When a woman considers, she is
generally safe"
At this point the Judge resumed his
search among the intricacies of chiro-
graphy, and his daughter went on
with her busting and putting to rights.
After a while the silence was again
broken by the latter.
you were poor when you married,
papa?"
"As a church mouse. Flossie."
"Why did you do it?"
Because | didn't know any bet
ter"
But you and mamma were very
Florence" and now the kindly,
middle-aged man brought his hand
down hard upon his desk, "if | had
waited until | had saved some money
your mother would be alive now. 1t
was hardship and poverty that sowed
the seeds Of Il fatal disease. In three
SSSlLSI IOootS, OllCLC NSIC Nv lilldCk
born to us. My salary was quite in
adequate for all the added expenses.
Then came frettings and h~eartaches,
and a six months illness Of my own.
We suffered as none understand
save those who have had similar ex-
p~eriences. Your mother was Is Flos-
sic. She should not have married at
that age. Our love was all right, but
our marriage at that time was a
fatal mistake. Now you know why I
advise you as [ do"
Long after the Judge had left the
house the saddening effect ofhis words
remained. but youth is unable to re-
main very long in the shadow of an
others grief, and so after q while
Miss Florence dotted her sweeping-cap,
put away her sad thoughts and went
out into the garden. 1t was a warm
April day, and shrubs and grass were
responding in their brightest n
to natures caresSlng invitation. Such
a day was too much for Flossie. She
could scarcely have been sad under
any provocatlon, but a look at the
bright, sunny face and the sparkling
brown eyes was enough to convince
one that the spirit OF mischief was ex-
ceedingly strong within her. Her CO.
quettish garden hat was posed at the
exact angle for becomlngness. and her
plump little figure, arrayed IN a dress
she had cut and madewith her own lair
hands, was one to be looked after and
admired by every lover of harmony.
There was q gate leading from the
Judges garden to that of his million
aire neighbor, the latter being posses.
sed OF that genial and generous dispo.
sition which likes to share his pleas.
ures with others. Mr.. Nicklepod, who
was fond of working with his flowers,
spent much Of his time in his large
lighthouses, and thither the young
woman, humming and smiling, betook
herself. MI. Nicklepod's ear.trumpet
reposed by the side of bed of carna-
ton pinks, while its owner busted
himself with some orange trees further
on.
81 wonder how long 1 could stand
it to yell into an ear-trumpet?" the
visitor soliloquized. "Of course Icould
hide it when didn't feel like talking.
But then l suppose he'd be max
ing signs and faces at me, and | should
have to make faces and signs at him,
and that would be worse than the
trumpet" With this the Judges
daughter seized the somewhat formid-
able looking instrument and went to
meet her friend.
why, Blossom, good morning"
said the millionaire, heartily. NO
body bat you ever thinks to bring me
my trumpet"
"And nobody but me would aver
think of hypothecating your trum-
pet" said The naughty girl under her
breath.