The Wilmington daily Republican., 1900-03-29

Hcphzibah. 1t distracts his mind"
"But we haye children also," observed
Mrs. John.
"Send them as we'll"
mo" said HephzibalI. "He does not
like to be overdone with children. Boys
he cannot abide; they are noisy. He likes
Poppy; she is quiet and amuses herself
with her doll, dressing and undressing
it."
On the following Sunday Mr.. Woolway
was restless and impatient, calling for
his boots as chapel time approached.
Hephzibah had some difficulty in dissuad-
ing him from going out on the plea that
he was not well and the east wind was
still blowing.
"After having taken a sudorifc pow
der, father, you know it would be most
dangerous to expose yourself, all your
pores open.'
On the second Sunday he again per-
sisted that he would 60 to chapel.
Then only was he informed that the
stupid maid had left his boots on the
rack above the kitchen stove and that
they had been spoiled. They had to be
shown to him before he would believe
that it was not possible For him to go out
in them. When he perceived that they
were utterly ruined, he was very angry
and demanded that he should be meas
ured on the Monday for new pair.
He was measured as he desired, but
the new boots had not arrived at the end
Of the week, and on the following Sum
day he was again debarred from attend
ing the religious services in Ebenezer
During the ensuing week, however, the
boots arrived, but proved so tight that
Mr.. Woolway could not bear to keep
them on his feet for long, and the tor
ture induced him to abandon going to
chapel on the following Sunday also.
Miss Farwell called to inquire after
the old gentleman. THAT indelicate'
was her conduct in the opinion Of the
sons and daughters Of Mr.. Woolway. 1t
need hardly be said that she was not ad-
mittcd to see the old man, nor was he
informed that she had inquired after him.
He ceased sending books to the elderly
lady, to the great satisfaction of his un-
married daughter, and after having been
disgusted with his new tight fitting boots.
which he threw from him across the
room, he no longer asked to be assisted
into them on the plea that he wanted to
go to chapel.
This was very gratifying to the family.
Thomas thought that it was largely due
to the pleasure the venerable patriarch
derived from the society Of his grand
child, Poppy, to whom he became warmly
attached and was indeed restless and i'll
tempered unless she were brought to him
every day.
1t appeared obvious that more
healthy frame Of mind was being engen-
dered and that the old fellows warmth of
feeling entertained for Miss Farwell had
cooled. A meeting Of the family was de-
termined on, that this more gratifying
state Of affairs might be generally known
among the members.
But a great surprise was in store for
Hephzibah on her return to the house
where she lived with her father.
In the hail she found the old gentleman
removing his overcoat and hat, and with
him were Miss James. Poppy's young
governess. and Poppy herself. The old
man looked radiant and was chuckling
with suppressed happiness.
Good gracious. father" exclaimed
Hephzibah, where have you been? What
an extraordinary object you are!"
lie was indeed an extraordinary object.
"Well, my DEAR" said the patriarch, II
had no boots, and wanted particularly
to 20 out, and could find nothing to put
on hut my old wading stockings in which
/ used to go fishing years and years ago.
So there was no help for it. had to be
married in them"
"What, father"
Married, my dear, to Miss James.
now Mrs. Woolway and your new moth
er. She Is only 21. SO Is younger than
you by IA years. Funny. isn't it? Miss
James and | have been to the registrar.
All arranged beforehand. And. my dear,
when you can conveniently clear out and
go and live with Thomas or Poppy or
Betty shall be the better pleased. Jane,
my wife. wishes it."
Now, when Thomas heard the news.
"Bless me-" said he, "a marriage cancels
a will! Confound it ALL Hephzibah. II
you had only left him his boots he might
have married Miss Farwell. and that
would have been thousand times better