The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1900-07-20

the tea things. The captain had been
half an hour late for tea, 80 the good
lady was not in the best of humors. On
such occasions her infrmity of hearing
was iPt to to 'n sb9"tsd IN her oar ~,rx
Grummidge!''
Il hain't deaf" she replied irritab]y.
"Of course you hain't,' he agreed with
a view Of Precipitation. You hain'l
arr sharp, neither!'
'I.or', cap'n" she said with sm:rk
I'D like your opinion OH somethink-
on goin' .courtin'.''
Caught wot?'
NO, no; cOurtin'."
Caught i'm? Who?"
"Courtin' a gal" he roared
"W'en you was ut sea?'
Not gale a gala woman" She
dropped plate with crash.
More fool your she said, severely.
low ought I tell 'er?' he inquired
Ignoring. the protest.
Tell 'er wot"'
u want to marry -"
En-" she cried, with sudden interest
Marry" cried Mrs Grammids So with
gasp. "Oh, cap'n! I never though,
Of such thing! But as it's you a:
the captains manly breast, with on.
bony arm tight around his collar. Sht
sun held the wet dishcloth in her hand
and in her excitement she squeezed f
so hard that perfect torrent ran dowr
the back Of his neck. ~
The rest of the scene was too painful +,
dwell upon. Within twenty minutes Mrs
Grummidge was richer by couple OF
soyerelgns and the captain was poorer b,
a housekeeper. "
I'D write an harsk Jack" ruminatec
the good man, mournfully, "but wan
never no and at writin'.' Then he hac
another bright idea. The very thing!
he told himself; and off he rushed tn FL.
widows.
Good evening, captain.'' She 81 sa com
menced to get out the half ounce.
IL didn't come for 'baccy," he said
The fact is, Mrs. Riley, l came for-cl
-a td &c She laughed even more pleas
Fancy YOU comm to me-" she said
MOO" he confessed, "er-not exactly
in'.''
''Courtin'! Lor', captain! AS if ]
knew anythink about it,
ITS like this ere he explained "A
friend of mine-'' He coughed depre
catingly. n pertikler friend O. mine
wants to go courtin' lady,"
'"Hhen,' said the widow, "why doesn't
hep
"'E don't know exackly 'ow to give
'er int"
A youthful customer appeared at this
juncture and was served with an ounce
of acid drops. Then the widow returned
to the tobacco end of the counter
Are you sure she doesn't know" she
inquired.
'E-er-'asn't told 'er." The captain
moppcd his brow with the red handker
chief which had put the crows to flight.
'She might guess she suggested
Does G go an see her often?''
Bout four times day" he con
fessed.
IVY doesn't e ursk 'er right out?"
E don't know egzactly 'ow to do it, =
said the captain in mutlied voice.
IT here's lots of ways" said the widow
leaning her elbows on the counter and
resting her chin upon her hands. Cam
you think of way, captain" There
was provoking CLEAN in her black eyes
the usual thing?'
"Lor, captain, | 'aven't been through
it 'undred tines She shrugged he,
plump shoulders.
e thinks a horful deal of en-" b,
mightn't 'e?'
Yes" she agreed. Certainly Z
might"
Mr.. Brown. the sexton, came i'll and
twaddled about the crops and the par
sons new pony. After waiting five min
utes the captain bowed and took his de-
parture.
III never ave the art to say it, hs
muttered to himself. I'll ave to give
it up"
All next day he kept away from the
village and smoked from his store I'll
never 60 there no more,' he vowed. II,
amt no manner of use.' But in thu
afternoon he went.
wy, captainH' said Mrs. Riley, 81
wondered wotever 'ad 'nppened to you
Did YOU. now7' he said with delight
did Your
!, II was wantin' to ask you for some
~ "Ai / RE he replied, promptly, "o'
AYR His knees trembied, and he
looked round for the shop chair.
Its .gone-to be mended,' she told
him. with suppressed smile. WON
you come inside, captain?"
You're VERY kind. ma am" he said
and he followed her into a coy littl,
parlor He felt. he told Brother Jacl
afterward. as if he was riding on lee
shore in gale, with weak bow anchor
ANYBODY could be VERY comfera bic
'ere.' he remarked, when he had sat fol-
a minute or two Oh the sofa.
IF they got Oh with me-" suggested
the widow.
Nobody couldn't clip that" stated the
lievc you wasn't never out of temper ir
your life"
Nonsense, captain!' She sat down OIL
the other end Of the sofa. I'm out OF
temper now
All" said her admirer, uncasily.
ITS about friend of mine, an a
"'E, ought to be ashamed O 'isself,'
said tn" captain, ferociousiy. "Wot's Z
bin an done?'
"'E don't do nothink," said Mrs. Ri
ley. only anss about That's were i,
is" The captain dropped his cap sud
denly and picked it up again.
Asn't e given 'er no 'ints?" he de-
mandcd.
1T depends on what you call 'ints."
Sent her marrers, say, an suchlike?'
"Ye-es,' she admitted, Il believe (
'as.'
Come to see 'er reg'lar?'
"Sev'ral times day; but still''- She
'iAoCh uSl uCdu ONCl ucllcleu
ciCs
Maybe" said the captain. tremulous
ly,. ed like to make ITSELF bit clearer
if e knowed 'er mind
"'Ow," said she, innocently, lis e tt
know if e won't arsk 'er?'
Couldn't she give i'm 'int?'
Not" the widow said firmly, "unless
she was quite certain that e wanted
one"
'She might reckon on that" assentec
the captain, with unmistakable emotion
Mrs. Riley studied the f1oorcloth intent
ly. Then her gaze wandered up the op
posite wall, until it rested upon bright
colored calendar, with picture at the
top, protesting to represent the balcony
scene from Romeo and Juliet" As Ro
meo had only the tip of one toe upon the
ladder, there were obvious reasons why
he should put his arms round the al
manac Juliet's neck.
THAT is Avery pretty picture" said
the " idow, with a becoming blush. The
captain dropped his cap again and edged
along the sofa.
Mrs. Riley" he said, IF YOU was on
balcony, an | was OH LADDER
No, you wouldn't!' The captain edged
quite close.
Mrs. Riley" he whispered, 'if you'll
60 an look out o the top window-I'l
toll. tho - !,