The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1898-04-02

II 633 I5v tAO ShOSS
1NHL.-.)A by the road, on
MA @YhR/Rj the mornin 6
XsI@MRENMZ/ when the idea
AWWsASA1ZZG came to him
,yC;;<sSc:sMaH&S that it would be
.~,~ good plan for
him to get married again.
The way in which the idea came to
him was this: Just as he reached the
end of the row nearest the road, some
one said, "Good morning, Deacon
Wade" in voice that made him
think Of blackbirds and bobolinks,
and he looked up, to see Rhoda Mason
smiling over the fence at him.
"Good morning, good morning" re-
sponded the deacon, delightedly.
beautiful morning, isn't it,"
Charming" answered Rhoda.
SHOWS Mrs. Wheelock? Well, sup
pose?"
"She's gone over to her sons
again." answered the deacon. "She
went yesterday-some Of the children
sick, I believe-so Bob and are keep.
ing house alone. I'm getting about
tired of it; and SOS Bob. He was tell
ing me, this morning, that he thought
1t would be good idea for one Of US
to hunt up q new housekeeper; and I
don't know but he was about right. I"
Pretty Rhoda's face got as rosy as
the blossoms on the Damask rose
bush by the gate. The deacon won
dered why he had never noticed how
pretty she was before.
II sec you've got a fine crop Of
strawberries" said Rhoda, pretend
Ing to be greatly interested in the
long rows Of ripening fruit. "Ours
are failure this year. Mother said
she didn't believe we'd have enough
ict q shortcake."
II want to know!' exclaimed the
deacon. "That's too bad, I declare.
Well have more than we con use, and
I'll bring you over some just as soon
as they're ripe enough to pick"
4'Thank you, ever SO MUCH" re-
epoAded Rhoda. 81 know mother'll
be glad toget them. But must be
going, or won't get back by dinner
time" and she went her way, leaving
the deacon with o new idea in his
head.
IT s'pose folks would say it was
foolish for ON old fellow like me to
marry a young girl like Rhoda," he
said to himself, as he turned back on
the next row Of sweet-corn. "But
other men, older than I am, marry
young wives; so why shouldn't 7? We
need good housekeeper here. It's
getting so we can't depend on Mrs.
Wheelook. She's gone half the time,
aud we're likely to lose her altogether,
almost any time. Of course, folks'll
soy that Bob ought to get married in
stead Of me; but be don't seem tc
have any idea Of it, and I can't put
the idea in his head. Rhoda's great
deal younger than I am; but she's 6
sensible girl, and I'm sure she'd make
o good wife. 1 wonder why I never
thought Of 1t before?"
The more the deacon thought Of il
the more in earnest he got. On Satur'
day he picked basket of luscious
strawberries, and that afternoon he
took them over to the Mason home
stead.
II declare, if I amt rather excited,
said the deacon, as he neared Rhoda's
home, and felt his heart beating quicl
and hard. II thought I'd got ove1
that years ago. If I feel this wa,
now, how'll I feel when I get there,
OF course, I'm not going to propose
to her right away. I'll just kind o
hint OF matters and things, enough tx
set her to thinking. 'Tain't best t
be in too great hurry about sucl
things"
Rhoda was sitting on tho from
porch, Smelling peas. Pretty as sh'
had looked that morning in the road
side, she looked far prettier to-day
the deacon thought.
ooh, you've brought those berrie
you promised US, haven't you?" criet
Rhoda. cts so kind of you. Mothe
was delighted when I told her wha
you were going to do. Tn so sorr,
she isn't at home this afternoon. Sh'
went to call on Mrs. Perkins-she'
sick, you know. But come in and 81
down, and maybe she'll be back befor'
you go. I hope she will, for I know
she'll be real disappointed to mis-
your visit"
ooh, that's nothing" said tn
deacon. CT can come over again
you know"
II wish you would" said Rhoda
NAfAkh ~ Spaa anvinn that vAfa sOnpAni