The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1901-07-19
GRANDFATHER'S BOOTS
An Octogenarian Who Wanted tn
Marry and Whose Children
Were Trying to Pre-
vent Him.
BY S. BARING-GoULD,

st''ss-tt''t''..s,,.
Nj Woolway was a retired manufac-
turer Of ripe age. He was over so and
had retired on very handsome income
the fruit of his industry and intelli-
gence. He had lost his wife, but not be-
fore she had blessed him with a large
family of sons and daughters. Most of
these were married, and Mr.. Woolway
was a 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
sacrificed her prospects of q settlement
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.. Woolway had lived in trepidation
lest he should marry again, in which
event there was no saying but that he
might be blessed with q second family.
when his capital would eventually be d.
yided between his children by the first
wife, his children by the second and the
widow. Very naturally the former pre-
feryed 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 a sharp lookout upon him.
II is not at all an unusual thing for pa
trlarehS to become seized with an amor
Gus fit and that at a time when thew
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 a whis-
pered 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 ia
left to you Individually"
Thomas" said Hephzibah to one Of
her brothers on certain day, "I'm not
easy in my mind Father is lending
books mostly goody goody books, to old
Miss Farwell. 1 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"
Not near his heart, I trust?"
y cannot say. You cannot tell what
az old man may do when lapsing into his
second childhood"
"N ON do NOT lat fotbar M out
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 l always accompany
him have been thinking, Thomas. if
you We're to send Poppy here more fre-
quently it would impress his age and re-
sponsbilities on father, and he would
think of himself as a grandpapa more
than | fear at his time of life he is dis
posed to do"
Poppy was the daughter of Thomas
Noolway. She was Il bright, romping
little miss, aged Z.
You will have to send the governess
with her, Thomas, because | cannot he
always with him in the house, and the
child might become burdensome and
tease him, and that would never do
slaB ,isi+ bin, aror,' , da,. 'pP'
4 fortnight later something said by
upazibah struck Consideration into the
hearts of her brothers and sisters and
ngeessitated the assembling of family
con lave in the house nr Thor,9s
~Ig is a fact" said IIcplzibah. Il
could hardly credit it. but fact ii is. on
be0t these last SUNDAYS after chapel
service In the evening [ have missed fa-
t. did not know where 10 look for
him le first time he slipped away. but
last Sunday eyoning-that is TO say, the
eag aafore ,yesterday-l went round the
e.Hgl aud found father and Miss Far
T.- together under an umbrella in close
conversation, and it was wet night
dzag."
est his ager' exclaimed Mrs. Tbomas.
"Anl She, such an old cat" said Mrs.
Ja.#.
There must be no open opposition, 8"
oils eI Mrs. Foley, q m1lriel daughter.
auow father. If You attempt to drive
iie one way he will 20 the other If you