The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1890-05-10

ing at eight O'Clock. It's best to 20
early. I'll call over for you. Do
come and see me, Mrs. Wilkes You
know its an age since you have been
10 our house.
Dear me, Mrs. Hanson / don't
come half as often as l want to, but
I'm ashamed to keep coming all the
time. AS I told my husband. Mr..
Wilkes, the other day. says L,
Simon, Pm actilIv afraid I shall
wear my welcome out over to Mrs.
Hanson's.' And says he. says SIM
on, i shouldn't wonder if you did.
Marian =
Eight O'Clock the following morn
ing found friends, Mrs. Wilks and
Mrs. Hanson, standing on Squire
Richards front door step (the side
! laer WIS not good enough Tor the
lady in pink and of course it was
not suitable for ladies of their zeal
ibre," awaiting to be admitted. A
frullzy headed Irish girl answered
their ring.
"Is Squire Richards in ?" asked
Mrs. Hanson.
"In: to be sure he is safe in bed,
ma'am. Is it after seeing him that
ye are ,"
"Yes we call to see him on impOr-
tant business" replied Mrs. Han
son, frigidly.
"'Sure thin. IN be after calIin him;
! though the ould jintleman's sound
aslape, for | heard him snOOrin'but
just now when | came forninst his
bedroom door. Come in with yees.
Biddy ushered the ladies into room
where the breakfast table Was stand
ing in waiting for the family.
"Hum u'said Mrs. Wilkes, looking
significantly at the table. "She can't
be no great shakes layin' abed till
breakfast time. Poor Mrs. Richards
used to be up in season."
Just at this moment the Squire
entered in elegant dishabilIe, that is
without a coat and minus shoes and
stockings. He advanced holding out
his hand cordially.
GOOD morning. ladies, good morn.
ing, Pm little late you see. Hope
you'll excuse my toilet ; the fact is
that sat up rather late last nightrnd
felt drowsy this morning. Fine
morning. isn't 1t ?"
"Vcry enchanting" replied Mrs
Hanson. who greatly prided hersel
on the elegant propriety Of her Ian
guage sit is beautiful enough for a
morning in the gorgeous land of ori-
entails. But to change the subject
we call on a matter of business"
"What's is the difficulty now. Mrs
Hanson? A new carpet for the par
sonage or is $50 wanted by the mis-
sionary society: Come, speak out !!
"Ah, Squire it's wuss than that.'
exclaimed Mrs. Wilkes, no longer
able to keep silent, sit is something
that consdrns you, Squire, consarn:
You everlastin' and eternal we'll.
bein."
"Indeed! Well, go on" said the
Squire looking very much surprised
Mrs. Hanson drew long breath
and began:
esquire, we called to see if you
were thinking of marrying again
We"
"You were not going to propose tC
me, were you, ladies? l should be
exceedingly happy to receive such
proposals. but should have Deacon
Hanson and Major Wilkes in my
hair forthwith. 1t would not dc
ladies'"
mo. we supposed YOU had already
made your selection of the person
who is tC fill your dead wife's place
we have called to talk with you
about her. We have understood tha
she was in your house, and if agree
able we would be pleased to see her
Our interests in you and your moth
erless child has induced US to dt
this" Mrs. Hanson spoke with sol
, emn dignity and her tone was evi
IDENTIFY intended to impress the Squire
, powerfully.
"And we want to know where yol
got acquainted with her. Squire, anC
how old she is and if she knows
how to do housework," said Mrs
| Wilkes.
How did you learn anything o
this ?" asked the Squire, evidently
: somewhat non-plused by the extraor
? dinary knowledge of his affairs dis
) played by the visitors.
| "We heard of you ridin' out will
her, Squire, she dressed all in pinl
3 with a green silk bonnet. 1t dom
look very we'll. Squire to see maj
=. of your age, ridin' out with sich Z