Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1902-11-10


"They all looked with big eyes"
when he came in. He was shaved
clean of all his beautiful, white beard,
leaving only mustache, and that was
waXed till it shone; his hair was cut
in the latest fashion and with his rud-
dy cheeks and twinlling eyes he look
ed absurdly young, almost younger
than his son.
well" he said, as they stared at
him, isn't it an improvements"
Words failed them.
I'm prepared for anything now,"
Mrs. John confided to her husband,
later. ITS plain that she put him up
to it. aMybe if she knew about his
will she wouldn't be so bent on marry
ing him."
She does know; l had a good
chance and told her the other day."
What did she say?"
'Just laughed and said folks
changed their wills sometimes Shes
got a long head, | can tell you; she
knows that she can coax his money
cut of him, and she don't care what
anybody thinks"
Perhaps if you talked right out
| plain to him, showed him what
laughing stock it's making of him"
at wouldn't do, Lucy" her husband
interrupted. He'd get mad and leave
in a minute. You know how touchy
pa is"
Mrs. John groaned. She remembered
| the threat to go and board at the
Minx's home; like enough he'd be
| glad of an excuse to do so.
Sunday grandpa came out dressed
for church in the extreme of style,
twirling a dainty cane as airily as any
callow dude" and boldly marched
away to where the Mink was waiting
for him with fresh rose for his but
tonhole.
you see," said Mrs. John to Grand
ma Taylor, as the two families walked
along together.
There's no fool like an old fool"
quoted Mrs. Ray, grandma's daugh-
ter
"Old Mr.. Porter is no fool, though
he does act like one" grandma re-
marked.
mo, more's the pity" said John,
half regretfully. I'D interfere and
stop it if there was a ghost of chance
that way. But he's too sharp at his
business affairs to have anything the
matter with his mind"
Oh, he knew we'll enough what he
was about, grandma reflected, and he
was fine figure of man and walked
as supple as boy. She looked at the
girl beside him, in white, fluffy array,
then glanced at her own plain, sombre
habiliments and decided that she
would no longer dress for funeral, al
though it was considered proper for
old ladies' to robe themselves thus.
Mamma" Bessie complained few
days later, "the children at school
laugh at me and say that Polly Smith
is going to be my grandma"
well, wouldn't she be a sweet lit
tie grandma grandpa asked with a
cackle.
Mrs. John DIT her lips to keep the
hot words back.
81 do believe it's catching" Mrs.
Ray ran across to confde to Mrs.
John. Mas been and got lavender
colored lawn, and white ties, and a
jaunty bonnet with lavender ribbon
and violets; she says she has smoth-
cred in black all she's going to-"
That's not SO bad" Mrs. John re.
p1ia1 C che DOME 90 pal l1o
wanting around with some young fel
low"
"Oh, mad never think of marrying
anybody. l just wouldn't allow that
young or DID," Mrs. Ray declared
somewhat incoherently.
well, you can manage an old lady
but an old man you can't. l feel as il
we were disgraced," Mrs. John re
joined.
Sne was sure of it when one day
grandpa dressed up, brought livery
rig and took the Mink out for ride
out to his farm. She clapped on hel
sunbonnet and went to interview the
Minx's mother.
Don't you think it's disgraceful 70,
a young girl to go traipsng off witt
an old man. Hannah Smith," she de
: manded with asperity.
"Mr. Porter is man Of good char
acter and church member" Mrs
, Smith asserted, bridling defensively.
t "Oh, I understand; you are in the
game, too" Mrs. John retorted.
, Mrs Smith closed her mouth firmly
and tossed her head. And Mrs. Johr
, gave it up and went home; she knew
Hannah Smith we'll enough to know
l that you needn't say anything more t.
| her, when she looked like that.
: Grandma Taylor was just leaving ;
, neighbor's when the couple returned
She bowed to them in cold hauteur a!