The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1898-05-27
A STROKE OF LUCK.
Bv Eben E. Rexford.
II X X X x x X x x X X x

nEACON WADE was hoeing in the
- garden, close by the road, on the
morning when the idea came to him
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 a 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. "How
is Mrs. Wheelock? Well, l suppose?"
'"She's gone over to her sons again."
answered the deacon. "She went yes
terday-some of her children sick, 1 be-
lieve-so Bob and L are keeping house
alone. I'm getting about tired of it, and
SOS Bob. He was telling me this morn
ing that he thought it would be good
idea for one of us to hunt up a new
housekeeper; and 1 don't know but he
was right"
Pretty Rhoda's face got as rosy as the
blossoms on the Damask rose-bush by
the gate. The deacon wondered why he
had never noticed how pretty she was
before.
Il see you've got a fine crop of straw
berries,' said Rhoda, pretending 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 for a shortcake."
II want to know" exclaimed the dea-
con. That's too bad, declare. Well
have more than we can use, and I'll
bring you over some just as soon as
they're ripe enough to pick"
THANK you ever so much" responded
Rhoda 81 know mother'll be glad to
get them. But I must be going, or
won't be back by dinner time," and she
went her way, leaving the deacon with
a new idea in his head.
Il s'pose folks would say it was fool
ish for an old fellow like me to marry
a young girl like Rhoda," he said to
himself, as he TUNED back on the next
older than | am marry young wives; so
why shouldn't L? We need a good
housekeeper here. It's getting so we
can't depend on Mrs. Wheelock. She's
gone half the time, and we're likely to
lose her altogether, almost any time
Of course, folks IL say that Bob ought
to get married instead of me; but he
don't seem to have any idea of it and
can't put the idea in his head. Rhoda's
a great deal younger than I am; but
she's a sensible girl, and I'm sure she'd
make good wife. l wonder why 1
never thought of it before?''
The more the deacon thought of it
the more in earnest he got. On Satur-
day he picked a basket of luscious
Strawberries and that afternoon he took
them over to the Mason homestead.
Il declare, if l amt rather excited"
said the deacon, as he neared Rhoda's
home, and felt his heart beating quick
and hard. 81 thought I'd got over that
years ago. If feel this way now, how'll
l feel when l get there? Of course, I'm
not going to propose to her right away.
I'll just kind o hint at matters and
things, enough to set her to thinking.
faint best to be in too great hurry
about such things"
Rhoda was sitting on the front porch,
Smelling peas. Pretty as she had looked
that morning in the roadside, she looked
far prettier to-day, the deacon thought
"Oh, you've brought those berries you
promised us, haven't you?" cried Rhoda.
Its so kind Of you. Mother was de-
lighted when l told her what you were
going to do. I'm so sorry she isn't at
home this afternoon. She went to call
on Mrs. Perkins-she's sick, you know
But come in and sit down, and maybe
she'll be back before you go. hope she
will. for l know she'll be real disap-
pointed to miss your visit"
'Oh, that's nothing" said the deacon.
Il can come over again, you know
Il wish you would" said Rhoda
Mother was saying that you weren't
very neighborly. She didn't remember
when you'd been here
well, now that I've got to coming
maybe I'll come often" said the deacon
Then he made few remarks about the
weather, and the prospect of a good
hay crop and the condition of the
markets for farm produce, and grad.
ually, by what he considered very diplo-
matte management, he worked around
10 the subject of housekeepers.
Yes, Mrs. Wheelock's back" he said
IN answer to Rhoda's question. 'but
there's no telling how long she'll stay
What we need now is housekeeper we
can depend on. One that belongs there,
ana has an interest in the work, you
see''
les. suppose So" answered Rhoda
with most5ewitching rosiness.
I want TO see your mother and