The Wilmington daily Republican., 1900-03-29
GRANDFA1HER'S BOOTS
An Octogenarisn Who Wanted to
Marry and Whose Children
Were Trying to Pre-
vent Him.
BY s. BARINa.aoULD.

Mr.. Woolway was q retired manufac-
turer of ripe age. He was over 80 and
had retired on very handsome income
the fruit of his industry and inteli-
gence. He had lost his wife, but not be-
fore she had blessed him with large
family of sons and daughters. Most of
these were married, and Mr.. Woolway
+ was grandfather.
With him lived his daughter Hephzi-
bah, the only one of his children who had
not found a mate. As she put it, she had
in life for the sake of her father, whom
she ministered to in his old age.
For some time the sons and daughters
of Mr.. W0olway had lived in trepidation
lest he should marry ngain, in which
event there was no saying but that he
might be blessed with second family,
when. his capital would eventually be di-
vided between his children by the first
wife, his children by the second and the
widow Very naturally the former pre-
ferred that it should be partitioned
among themselves alone.
Very grateful did the married sons and
daughters feel toward >Hephzibah that
she kept house for the old gentleman and
also kept sharp lookout upon him.
| 1t Is not at all an unusual thing for pa
triarchs to become seized with an amor
ous fit, and that at time when they
ought to be preparing for their grave, in
stead of fitting themselves out in laven-
der pants and yellow gloves for the hy-
meneal altar.
The sons and daughters Of Mr.. Wool
way visited him dutifully and brought
their little ones to see him and attract his
attention.
Hardly ever did one Of the brothers or
sisters leave the house without whis-
pcred communication to Hephzibah: "My
dear, do be careful that father don't in
his old age make fool of himself. You
shall not regret it. We will remember
you eventually over and above what is
left to you individually"
Thomas" said Hephzibah to one Of
her brothers on certain day, "lm not
easy in my mind. Father is lending
books, mostly goody goody hooks, to old
Miss Farwel. am afraid he thinks too
much of her"
"You keep lookout on the old gentle
man."
"Yes, but these books elicit notes Of
thanks and comments from Miss Far
well. have tried to get a sight of her
letters, but he is too sly. He secretes
them somewhere"
mot near his heart, trust"
II cannot say. You cannot tell what
an old man may do when lapsing into his
second childhood"
"You do not let father 60 out alone"
"No, Thomas; he is too feeble for me
to allow him to do that. But he goes
nowhere except on Sunday evenings to
chapel, and then / always accompany
him. ! have been thinking, Thomas, il
you were to send Poppy here more fire.
Iuently it would impress his age and re-
sponsiblitics on father, and he would
think Of himself as grandpapa more
than fear at his time of life lie is dis
posed to do"
Poppy was the daughter Of Thomas
Woolway. She was bright, romping
little miss, aged 7.
"You will have to send the governcss
with her, Thomas, because cannot be
always with him in the house, and the
child might become burdensome and
tease him, and that would never do"
"Very well; will see to it. Poppy
shall visit him every day."
A fortnight later something said by
Hcphzibah struck CONSERVATION into the
hearts of her brothers and sisters and
neccSsitated the assembling of n family
conclave in the house of Thomas.
at is fact" said Hcphzibah. II
could hardly credit it, but fact it is. On
both these last Sundays after chapel
service in the evening have missed fa-
ther. | did not know where to look for
him the first time he slipped away. but
last Sunday cvening-that is to say, the
day before yesterday--I went round the
chapel and found father and Miss Far
well together under an umbrella in close
conversation, and it was wet night
drizzing."
"At his age" exclaimed Mrs. Thomas.
"And she, such an old cat said Mrs.
John.
"There must be no open opposition"
observed Mrs. Foley, married daughter.
II know father. If you attempt to drive
him one way he will so the other. If you
seem to interfere with him he will resent
1t and become most stubborn"
"No, there must be no open opposi-
tion," said the rest. 1--WE know father
also"
1t was decided that another Sunday
should be allowed to pass, and the old
gentleman should be observed again. The
conc!ave was adjourned to the ensuing
Monday.
On that day. at the appointed hour, tho
brothers and sisters met again to receive
the report from Hephzibah.
"He went around to the back of the
chapel again. He slipped out while was
saying my final prayer and was gone like
an eel went after him and found him
with Miss Farwell once more. This time
bitter east wind was blowing. OF
course, this morning father has bad
cold and is hoarse."
"What is to be done?" asked Thomas,
looking grave.
II have already done something" said
Hephzibah. "Father has got only ono
pair Of boots-he needs only one pair
now, as he goes out so very rarely--nnd
as they were wet yesterday l put them
over the kitchen fire and kept them on
the rack till the soles warped aud burst
the stitches, and now he cannot put them
on again"
HE will hardly be measured for new
boots ut his time Of life," said Mrs. John.
II trust not But he Is an obstinate
man," said Hephzibah.
"Thomas," said Mrs. John, "excuse my
speaking, but we do not quite relish the
wov IN which yo,I arc thruStiuR pODDy
on father. 1t looks as though you were
endeavoriDg to steal an advantage on
U.S."
"Not at ALL" sail Thomas angrily. II
send The child to hin by. She advice ct