Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1888-01-19
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
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
Wen get pailful out of our patch"
well. you tell your ma she can help
herself to mino whenever she wants
EN-. Tell her I'll come over Saturday
aud bring some of them with me. But
] say. had letter from Charley yes
terday," with n 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 a few days, that's all"
well. don't disappoint us Satur-
day" as she turned to 20.
II 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.
live been thinkin' some lately of
gcttin' new housekeeper, he stam-
mered. growing very red in the face.
Doesn't Aunt Sarah want to stayP"
asked Charley unsuspectingly.
IL meant-ahcm!-a housekceper
of-of, of-another kndr' explained
the squire rather explosively, wIping
his face very energeticalIy after the
completion of the difficult sentence.
II think L begin to understand"
said Charley, in great surprise. MAY
ask who it isP'
"Its-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
it?" laughed Charley. Pm glad to
hear it. You couldn't do better if you
hunted the world over
I'm glad to hear you say So" said
h 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 squire. drawing n long breath,
MS Charley strolled off down tho path
in the twilight That's sensible
boy. I wonder, now. that he never
took fancy to 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. Kccne's door.
Good afternoon" she said, opening
the door to her visitor. He couldn't
help thinking that her face was almost
MS fair rs it had been 25 years ago, as
she welcomed him in.
The SOU re 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 sec there but
Charley, holding worsted for Lucy to
,yi nj a,,J ooop,i,,,r ,-o,.,, ,,,,,ob ~ bo,,,o
IL didn't expect to see you here"
he stammered.
Then Lucy and Charley tried hard to
look very demure and failed, and final
ly 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 n
shortcakc for tea. l remember you
used to be rather fond of shortcake q
few years ago." she said to the squire
and smiling till dimple showed itself
in each check.
II know what you're thinkin' of"
responded he, THAT was little the
best shorlcake 1 ever came across,
Hester" and then they both laughed
over tho 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.
live 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
standr
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
intended to be married sometime We've
talked il over and it's all settled.
The squire was speeches. for the
space of a minute.
Il hope you'll be happy" he man
aged to say. very family. at last.
just then the widow came in.
tI,n H.