Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1898-04-25

Der when you'd been here"
"Well, now that I've got to coming,
maybe I'll come often" said the
deacon. Then he made a few remarks
about the weather, and the prospect
of good hay crop, and the condition
of the markets for farm produce, and
gradually, by what he considered very
diplomatic management, he worked
around TO the subject Of housekeepers.
Eyes, 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 house
keeper we can depend on. Ono that
belongs there, and has an interest in
the work, you see."
Eyes, L suppose so," answered
Rhoda, with most bewitching rosi-
ness.
II want to see your mother and
have good, long talk with her about
about an idea I've got" said the
deacon, by-and-by. "She knows how
much we need house-keeper, and
always thought her very sensible
woman, and I'm sure she'd think Just
as do about it-about this idea of
mine. At least hope so. I suppose
she'd feel able to carry on the house
work on place like this alone,
wouldn't she? She seems strong and
healthy as ever"
"Oh, yes, mother'd manage that all
right" answered Rhoda. "She often
tells me she don't need any of nv
help"
"She's got the idea, plain enough, ;"
thought the deacon, il great delight,
as Rhoda said that. I'm getting
along splendidly. She's the most
sensible girl I ever saw. L wonder how
mucha farther I better so now? Maybe
I'd better wait, just as I'd made up
my mind to, an give her time to talk
it over with her mother before I come
right out with the question. I will, :"
and it was well that he came to this
decision, and adhered to it, as he
congratulated himself few days
later.
The deacon might have stayed until
Mrs. Mason's return, but young
girl friend of Rhoda's came, and that
put an end to his visit.
"You can talk with your mother
and see what she thinks about what
I've been saying" he said, as no took
his departure. "Let me know the
first chance you have"
The next Wednesday evening,
Robert Wade was away from home.
About one o'clock his father heard
him come in.
II wouldn't wonder if Rob's got an
idea of sparkling somebody" thought
the deacon. maybe it's like the
measels-when it gets into the fami-
ly, they all have it," and he chuckled
to think his son might have caught
the disease from him. "Well, Rob's
good boy, and hope he'll do as
well in getting wife as shall, if 1
get Rhoda Mason"
The next morning Rob looked very
wise, as he sat down to breakfast,
opposite to his father.
"I've got message for you," he
said, by-and-by, when the housekeep-
er had left the room. Il was over to
the Mason place, and when 1 came
away, Rhoda told me to tell you that
/ if you wanted to know what her
mother thought about your mousse
keeping idea, you'd better come over
aad talk with her about it. I was
quite surprised to find out you'd got
matrimonial ideas in your head, but
want to say that 1 think the plan a
most sensible one. Mrs. Mason
would make you tip-top housekeep-
er, and-n you'll take the mother, I'll
take the daughter. Indeed, I've
made an arrangement to that effect.
Rhoda and 1 came to satisfactory
understanding last night"
Rob's face was quite red when he
got through with his speech, but his
fathers was redder. He opened his
mouth, once or twice, as ii trying tc
say something, but words would moi
come. 1t was well for him that the
housekeeper came in just at this juno
ture. Rob went out, and ia hetool
himself to his room to collie. 4.5 be-
wildered senses.
"Well-I declared" The poor dea
con dropped into the first chair ht
came to, and sat and stared at the bed
post for as much as half an hour, be
fore. he began to get things straight
ened out.
81 begin to understand it" he tolt
himself, by.and-by. ''Ive com,
dreadfully near making fool of my
self. guess I did make fool o
myself, all right enough; but what