Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1902-02-06
THE EAVESDROPPER

except for him to ask papa. I did not
expect that any opposition would be
raised to our marriage, because Tom
and papa were the best of friends. If
Tom was about to engage in any bust
ness venture, he would not do SO until
papa had expressed his opinion. If
Tom proposed to buy an automobile,
papa must recommend the carriage be-
fore the bargain was closed. And, as
for horses, neither would put one into
his stable without consulting the other.
Therefore I felt no concern as to the
result of an interview with respect to
an alliance which would draw the two
only the closer. One thing troubled me
Tom was so prone to consult my ia
ther about everything that it occurred
to me he would scarcely scruple to ask
him whether l would make a good
wife. OF course this was silly notion
that had got into my head, but once
there could not get it out.
On the morning appointed for the
Momentous conference l espied papa
and Tom on the piazza engaged doubt
Less in discussing the matter so near
my heart. l would have been content
to watch and hear the result from Tom
had it not been for the ridiculous
dread that he would talk me over as
he would any article which he was
about to purchase and upon which he
wanted his friends opinion. My pride
told me to keep out OF earshot. My
woman's (call it curiosity desire to be
sure drove me into the parlor, where,
through a window, only the blinds of
which were closed, l could overhear
every word spoken. The first sentence
uttered by my lover convinced me that
his habit has! led him to act as | fear
ed. He ;,id papa We're both smoking.
Tom. ta,i,li.. his cigar from his mouth
de!iItra ely asked. with provoking
coOl,.es
"Do :. :, consider her pretty?'
Not .rNaetly." was the reply, but
you kliaW .:at FOR what you want her
she doesu't need to be snowy"
Never SICK, is she?"
'Neyel,., least not to my knOwl-
edge. You know | have been abroad q
great dea! dining the past ten years
and at sucA times have not kept in
formed about her.
TON Baxter" muttered, shaking
my fist at him, you may drop that
conversation for all me. will never
be the wife OF a man with SO little SEN
timent."
Doubtless more of his business meth
DDS would appear in this affair of the
heart. must know the worst.
"The most important matter of al"
Tom continued, sis her disposition.
Knowing, as you do, what want her
for, am quite sure you would never
advise me to take her unless she IL
kind and gentle. I'm going to rely in
this entirely upon your testimony. II
she has any temper whatever, l don't
want her"
Upon my wofdI What impudence! II
have any temper whatever he doesn't
want mel l should like to see him get
me! He is to rave and swear and
smash the furniture. while l, poor girl,
am to be meek and lowly! shall shoW
my temper whenever l choose. but not
to him. 10 him am supremely indif-
eeTent. the impudent, self assuming,
oyerbearing creaturel
"Oh, us to that" said papa, you'll
have to drive with tight rein. She
frets occasionally, but she's very easily
kept under"
Oh, papa. to think that you should
speak SO about your own daughter!
have heard that men always stand to-
gether against women. but never be-
leved my father and my lover would
talk like this.
ION the whole, you think she'll do?"
'What do you think yourselfY
"I9 Oh. there are several things
about her don't like at ALL"
Such as
"in the first place, her gait is very
bad" Oh, you villain! In the second,
her ears are altogether too large to M
dicate good breeding" You scoundrel!
Then that large head at the end Of a
long neck
threw open the shutter with a
bang and stood confronting Mr.. Thorn
as Baxter with flashing eyes. Papa's
back was turned, or should have an
initiated him too.
IF you want to know, sir, whether
have a temper, you may apply to me
personally. will show you my dispo-
sition at first hand"
He sat looking at me. stupefied. Pa
pa turned and also surveyed me with a
troubled countenance.
Daughter. are you ill.,"
Gil? No-insulted, every feeling out
ragged. Temper! Bad gait! Big head
at the end of long neck! And YOU"
turning to Tom. ''are the man to whom
but for this revelation | might have
been tied for lifer
Happy escaped" muttered Tom.
Whats the matter, Kit?" asked
papa.
Matter! Matter enough! And you,
papa" voice trembled-"how could
you describe your own Kate as you
would horse3"