Alpena argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1893-1909, 1894-09-05
THE sQUIREs COURTsHIP.

"A very nlce-looklng young
woman" soliloquized Squire Dud-
ley, as he stood in his handsome
garden, and watched Ruth Stevens,
as she walked past his place on her
way to the village. "A nice-look-
ing young woman; l wonder l
never noticed her particularly before.
Her mother used to be quite a
beauty in her younger days. Not
bad-looking woman now, for that
matter. used to be little sweet
on her, l believe-at least, folks
used to say 80, and prophesy we
would make a match; but, somehow,
things didn't turn out just as they
said they would. 1 wonder, now, if
Ruth has any beauxp It's a shame
if she hasn't; for a girl as pretty
as she is, is entitled to half a doz-
en-, at the very least"
Squire Dudley watched Ruth ont
of sight, and then turned thought
fully about, and went into the house.
Evidently he had some new project
in his head, for he was unusually
thoughtful all day. So much 80
that Charley Dudley, his only child,
young man of twenty-five or
three, asked him, as they sat at tea
that afternoon, what he was think
ing about, that he should be so so
Der and silent.
81 was thinking about getting
housekeeper," answered Squire Dud-
ley, after some hesitation. Don't
you think it would be good thing?"
"Why, we've got one already"
answered Charley, in SURPRISE
"Mrs. Greene does as well as half a
dozen, doesn't she?"
swell, yes" assented the squire.
MRS. Greene is all well enough; but
you didn't quite understand me.
meant-ahem II thought, perhaps,
it would be better for me to get
married"
Squire Dudley felt considerably
relieved now that he had explained
his meaning and his intentions.
Married. cried Charley, drop
ping his knife in surprise. "Who
to, father? didn't know as you
had been paying attentions to any
woman"
81 haven't" replied the squire
81 didn't think much about the
matter till to-day. The woman ]
had in my mind is Miss Stevens
MRS. Stevensr'
Charley repeated the name, and
smile overspread his face at some
idea that it suggested to him. The
squire had said miss" Stevens
meaning Ruth. In the country
Mrs" is generally contracted into
Miss" and Charley supposed that
his father meant Ruth's MOTHER
The supposition was natural one
for Mrs. Stevens was of an age not
far from the squire's, and Of course
much more suitable companion
for him than Ruth would be, in
the opinion of his son.
Don't you think she will make
q good wife for mep" asked the
squire, anxious to ascertain his sons
view of the case.
"You couldn't get better one,
l think" answered Charley. "I've
been there considerably, off and on,
and don't know of a woman / would
rather have for stepmother. !
don't know where you will find two
nicer people than Mrs. Stevens and
her daughter Ruth"
I'm glad you approve of my
choice" said the squire, delightedly,
"As you say, they're nice people
very nice, indeed. l never noticed
Ruth particularly until to-day
It's wonder the young men haven't
carried her off before this. should
have thought you'd have stepped up
to her. Ehp" and thesquire laughed
in the exuberance Of his good-nature
feeling in a very pleasant mood
with himself and the rest Of man.
kind.
81 think Ruth would make q
good wife," answered Charley, try
ing to look Indifferent.
mo doubt of it," asserted the
squire. "You'd do we'll to get some
one like her. Her mother was a
nice, well-behaved girl. ] have
known her since she was baby
That evening Charley Dudley set