Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-11-08
UNCLE JOAB'S MISTAKE

"Yes," said Uncle Ioab, rubbing the
palms Of his hands together, L really
think it will be a match, anl I'm very
glad Of ii. A nice, straight. cherry
checked girl, with eyes as black as jet
a girl that has a fair notion of Il batcl
Of bread, and can make softsoap with
anybody. l couldn't wish Frank bet.
ter wife"
"Some folks has all the luck said
Farmer Crabbe, whose son was married
t.n'a pretty slattern, who reads novels
all day. and had no more idea of house.
keeping than the kittens that frisked on
her hearth.
1T amt luck said Uncle Joab; Its
faculty that's what it is"
And his wrinlSled visage beamed with
satisfaction as he stood there under the
great feathery elm that shudowed the
farmyard gate, thinking what model
wife Lydia Watts would make for his
only son
1t had been The pride OF Joab Fenn's
life to make his farm the mcdcl farm of
the neighborhood, aud when his son
came of age he formally decided ii over
TO him.
Its for Franks sake I've been max
ing it what it is said he LET him
go on with it now."
Rut Eothar-"
,]oab Fem laid his hand softly on
Franks shoulder.
1My boy" said he, la voice that
fa!sered little, what object in life
have beyond your happiness? Bring
home nice, stirring little wife, carry
on the farm as I have begun it. and |
shall be happy"
You are the best father in the
world cried Frank, fervently.
Farmer Crabbc trudged home with a
setting Of Black Spanish eggs in u hand
basket, and Joab Fem strolled leisurely
along the lane. his hands behind his
back, his eyes bent mcditatively on the
fresh grass, when suddenly the sound OF
voices behind the v,ne-draped stone
wall at the left reached his ear
Franks voice and that Of Myra Miller.
the pretty little distant cousin who did
the honsework and kept TIE family
stockings darned.
DON'T, Frank! j. said Mvra. There
you've split all my black berriees
"Oh. bother the blackberries inter
jected Frank Fem; Il can easily get
some more. Here, Myra, let me carry
the basket
"Bnt your father wouldn't like it,
Give it to me! [ will have it! Why
shouldn't he like it, Puss?"
because know, Frank -Ly.
dial"
oh, nonsense" said Frank, cava.
liefly. AS if Lydia Watts were hall
Ms pretty as you. That's light-don't
shrink away SO. Aren't we cousins?"
And the CHEEKY young voices died
away among the berry bushes.
Uncle Joab stood quite motionless.
his hands still clasped behind his back,
bis eyes still rooted on the grass, but
the expression of his countenance had
altered altogether
1T won't do" muttered Uncle Joab
to himself: 1T will never do in the
world. This little blue-eyed mite of a
thing is going to spoil all my plans. At
this rate l must send her to Cousin
Pereg:iue Birtwllistle's.
And The Very next day Myra Miller
was rutllessiy given notice to quit.
Have / done anything wrong, Uncle
Joab22" questioned Myra, looking visit
fully mp into her relatives face.
No, my dear, no, said Uncle Joab,
twisting himself about rather guilty..
But old Mrs Birtwhistle has the
rheumatism badly, aud perhaps you can
be made useful there Frank will soon
be married, you know, and
Myra's lip quiverea; the tears spark
led i'll her eyes.
SOh, Uncle Joab, are they really en-
gaged?7
well, no, not quite, but the next
thing to it,, said Uncle Joab. at S all
understood thing between 'em.''
Now this was trenching on the abso-
Lutte truth of the question, but Uncle
''oab had an idea that it would not do
TO mlnce matters just at present.
h1 ,>,1s Il
instantaneously
TT will go-to Cousin Peregrines"
she said, in low voice. Tin only
sorry I hadn't known before
And Uncle Joab felt particularly
guilty as he kissed her good-by.