New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-05-19
PAS wOOING.
By MARIA LOUISE POOL

sitting at the Other side Of a small table which
was placed against the wall in the kitchen. The
breakfast was spread upon this table
Mr. Simpson paused momentarily In the act OF
chasing a Jew peas round his plate with knife
with view to eating the peas. But. like many
other earthly things. peas are elusive. partcu-
lary when pursued by broad backward curV-
ing blade.
zenas persevered. however He shut his teeth
hard and drew his brows together He brought
the rolling vegetable 10 a full stop by running
Che globes 10 against a piece of brown bread
which acted as a kind Of bulwark. Having ac-
conpiished this Zenas looked up and said
"Har7"
This was Mr. simpsons usual method of saying
"what7"
Don't you think pos kind OF odd ia'eN
carefully repeated the woman.
Her companion cut Oft a slice of gingerbread
and began TO carve II on his plate lie waited
until he had placed cube of this cake IN MS
usouth before he said indistinctlyi
mo amt noticed nothin'. Guess you're situn
no,ionai'
Mis-, simpson was slowly slipping tea from he'
saiioef oeea slonsily dipping a twisted doushhu'
a. her drink,
~ don't think men cen see things less 'h'f ''
rhueked right under Their noses ~ thr'f hpaas
rapped al the same time" she remarked WIN
sone disdain 1--WE ben noein' Of II for mofe'h
q month; m don't know wha' 10 maze y, !"
MIR simpson leaned back In his chair lie "au
cn,shed his cubes of gingerbread. and was look
ing at the doughnuts.
He sucked his teeth audibly a few times IN
vnedi,ative manner: then he gave a little laugh
"a he responded
"Oh gentleman amt thinkin' Of marryin'
ag'in'. is he?"
Mrs. Simpson flushed all over her thin. nervous
face as she replied
Course he amt! Marryin'! why, mes IN MS
eightieth year, Besides" with an air OF reiief'
"there amt no woman round here thatd nave
him"
Needn't be- so sure OF that" said Zenas more
quickly than he had yet spoken. "Womenl nave
ANYBODY; don't make no difference what"
Here the speaker laughed again. as the pres
ent Mrs Simpson was this mans third whe' o"e
now remained dscreety silent
The gentleman drew quill toothpick from MS
xa,.tcoat pocket He was beginning to be in
terested And he was also wondering where MS
v,,fe.s father was this morning II would really
no awkward n the old fellow should marry lie
didn't believe A word about It, Women were al
wavs thinking OF marrying. 1t was just ike
them.
Tho couple were living In Mr.. Lntlehelds
bouse. for this reason Zenas could let his own
house and have the rent money to use. Zehas
vas forehanded. but that fact did not prevent
It's being a very good arrangement that 'ne'
should all live In the old mans mousse MI
Simpson could not remember that ne hao ever
been able to make quite so advantageous an ar
rangement with any Of the men VINO han peeh
his fathers-in-law. His own suggestion that ms
w,fe's father was thinking of marrying again
began really to worry him.
He was frowning and lingering his toothpicK,
vvhen the door opened. and a tall. heavily ouiit
r,r entered. and walked TO his place at the
table
Mrs. Simpson looked at him and exclaimed:
why. father.'
Mr. Simpson also looked and exclaimed But
he said:
r,o e,dcr man hurriedly extended his cup for
.orae He grew red in the face as he tried to
smile unconcernedly
"wbat.s the matter now?' he asked you
seem kind er s'prised bout something Lvooy'
wish you'd pass me the sugar.
The daughter passed the sugar. She continued
- gaze at her fathe who had the appearance
of well-preserved man Of seventy
"1 didn't hardly know you" she said. i ain t
csver seen YOU 'thout your whiskers sence c
remember
Mr.. Littlefeld put his hand complacenty over
his long. white mustache. He had always WORN
full beard.
Thought I'd try Shawn" he remarked. i o'o
II my self My hands Jest as stiddy
He held I'D his hand he spoke and glanced
about him with pride. There was slight tremor
:. .he 6ngers but not enough TO proclaim his
eighty years.
caaar,v he sst hack in his chair. His fresh
ruddy face grew grave.
I'VE amt arst no blessin' on our victuais' M
said.
THAT'S a fact" responded zenas go ahead
pa"
Pa bent his head His voice quavered some
Ehat he began
"IJeavenly Father for what are about Il
rece,ve make US duly thankful. Amen
For more than forty years Lyddy had hear'
This blessing 1T every meal when her father ha'
been present
She felt II TO be an Ill omen that he had for
xotten 1t for a moment. even though ne wa
late.
s,,rtiveIy. How strange his face was withou
his heard. and with that mus,ache sweeping baci
NJ each side.
81 declare, pa" she broke out. Il feel knde
L.. ..s,,. Won So What made you do it,"
.I.ye been thinkin OF 1t this some time wa
She answer "'N finally i thought I'd do
sfore the convention meets over to Gurley
s.nose you're goin'. amt you Lyddy?'
Mr.. Nttlefeld was making very good break
Fast. notwithstanding his recent interesting ex
perience with his toilet
mo" said Lyddy. Il amt goin'. never wa
no hand to CAD. you know pa.
Mr.. I.ittIefeid looked disappointed.
Mr.. simpson showed his chair gratingly ava
from the table as he remarked that he IN Lydd
didn't have no time TO 30 bout the country
conventions.
81 didn't know. but, bein Baptists' you'd
thinkin' Of attendin'," was the response.
The old gentleman presently ADDED that ther
"wa'n't never anybody 10 go anywhere WIN him'