Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-05-19
A. STROKE OF LUCK.
By Ebsu E. Rsxford.


nEACON WADE was hoeing in the
IL garden, close by the road, on the
morning when the idea came to him
that il 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
lene said: ssGood- mornmg, Deacon
Wade" in a voice that made him think
of blackbirds and bobolinks, and he
looked upEto see Rhoda Mason smiling
over the fence at him.
"Good morning, good morning" re-
sponded the deacon.- delightedly.
Beautiful morning. isn't III"
Charming answered Rhoda. How
is Mrs Wheelock? Well, suppose?'
she's gone over to her sons again, /"
answered the deacon. She went yes
lierday-some of her children sick. be-
liese-so Bob and / are keeping house
alone. I'm gettingabout tired of it, and
SOS Bob. He was telling me this morn
| ing that he thought 1t would be a good
idea for one of US to hunt up new
housekeeper; and I 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 fine crop of straw
berries" said Rhoda, pretending 10 be
greatly interested in the long rows of
|ripening fruit. Ours are failure this
wear. Mother said she didn't believe
we'd have enough for shortcake.'
II want TO know!v exclaimed the dea-
crn. That's too bad. declare. Wen
have more than we can use. and III
bring you over some just as soon as
they're ripe enough to pick"
"Thank you ever so much. responded
Rhoda. II know mother'll be glad to
get them. But l 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.
II s'pose folks would say ii was fool
ish for an old fellow like me TO marry
young girl like Rhoda," he said TO
himself as he turned back on the next
row of sweet corn. but other men
oder than am marry young wives; so
why shouldn't /? We need good
honsekeeper here. It's getting so we
can't depend on Mrs. Wheelock. She's
game half the time, and were likely to
lose her altogether, almost any time
OF course, folks II say that Bob ought
10 get married instead of me; but he
don't seem TO have any idea of II and ]
can't put the idea in his head. Rhoda' s
great deal younger than am; but
she's a sensible girl, and I'm sure she q
make a good wife. | wonder why !
never thought of it 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 homestead.
81 declare. if amt rather excited,
said the deacon, as he neared Rhoua 5
home. and felt his heart beating quick
md hard. II thought I'D got over that
Years ago. II feel this way now, how'll
/ feel when / get there? OF course, I'm
moi going to propose TO her right away.
ri Just kind o. hint at matters aud
things. enough 10 set her 10 thinking
'Tain't 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 berriesyou
promised us, haven't you?' cried Rhoda-
ITS so kind Of you. Mother was de-
rphted when told her what you were
going to-do. I'm so sorry she isn't a.
home this afternoon. She went TO call
an Mrs. Perkins-she's sick, you know.
Rut come IN and sit down, and maybe
she'll be back before you 60 Iho2e she
will. for 1 know shell be real disap-
nointed to miss your visit
-Oh. hats nothing" said the deacon
al can come over again, you know.
II wish you would, said Rhoda.
Mother was saying that you weren't
rerv peighborly. She didn't remember
when you'd beer here"
aWeT. now that I've got to coming
maybe I'll come often" said the deacon.
TbsD he made few remarks about the
weather. and the prospect Of a good
hav crop and The condition Of the
markets for farm produce. and grad
uallv. BY what he considered very diplo-
matte management, he worked around
:, the subject Of housekeepers.
eyes. Mrs. wheelock's back" he said.
IN answer to Rhoda's question, bot
,Skre.s no telling how long she'll stay.
xThstwe need now is q housekeeper We
esn ,lepend on. One that belongs there.
sn5 has an interest in the work. you
ayes. I suppose 50. answered Rhoda.
r;.b ! most5ewitching rosiness-
al want 70 see your mother and
t,~e 4 good long talk with her about