Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1902-11-10
The InfatuatiOn Of GRANDPA.

wife, Mrs. John. They were fully pur-
suaded that he was in danger of being
married for his money, and that by
q young mink who might well be his
granddaughter. That grandpa had
taken fancy to the girl they were
sure; that he thought himself deeply
In love with her they feared, for he
was not his usual jolly, careless old
self.
He moped about in fits of melan-
choly abstraction;' he read romances,
and he had hunted up his old cracked
flute that he had not touched for fifty
years, and stayed out on the porch
evenings playing robin Adair" and
other bygone ballads, with wheezy
wall that was distressing.
81 can hardly stand it." Mrs. John
said, pinching up her pillow in the
vain effort to shut out the sound. He
acts like love-sick boy. l tell you,
John, we've got to get him away, up
to Ebens, or somewhere out OF her
reach"
YES" assented John, drowsily, "Pl
write to Eben if you'll persuade him
to 60"
Grandpa Porter, don't you think
change would do you goOd?" Mrs. John
asked the next morning. 'EbenH
come for you any time you want TO
go up there for visit
81 won't go to Eben's | won't stir
one stepl | don't like Mrs. Eben; we
always quarrel. If you want me to
turn out I'll go over to Widow Smiths
and board.
And Widow Smith was the mother
of the mink.
"Why, grandpa, nobody wants TO
turn you out" Mrs. John cried, hasten
ing to appease him. ut was just that
you seem out of sorts lately, and we
thought change would perl1 you up.
I'm not out of sorts. I'm spry as
anybody" he declared. 81 suppose
you think I'm getting old, and sort o
helpless, and haven't much life left.
Look here!" and he turned down
chair and skipped over it. And look
here!" he pranced across the porch,
jumped the steps, ran to the woodpile
and brought in big armful, saying
as he threw it into the box, Il guess
John couldn't beat that very much,
could he, hey? l don't go down to the
gym for nothing"
"Why grandpa Porter!" Mrs. John
exclaimed, amazed at the exhibition.
A laughing face looked in at the
side door and blythe young voice
said gayly. Good for you, Mr.. Porter!
told you the other day that you were
younger than half the boys. You
ought to see him on the turning bar,
Mrs. John" She set basket on the
table, adding, Here are some eggs
Grandma Taylor was bringing to you.
thought them too heavy for her and
came along to carry them for her She
loked tired. Take this rocker,
grandma" in anxious solicitude.
The brisk, Observation-Disclosures
ing old lady who had followed her in,
sat down stiffly and the girl ratified
on, NO, Mrs. John, can't stop a min
ute. Mr. Porter, it's about time for
you to go to the gym, isn't it?"
Grandpa got his hat with alacrity
and they went away together stopping
first for the Mink to fasten a rose in
his buttonhole.
"Mr. Porter!" Mrs. John burst out
sarcastically, as soon as they were
gone. 1t used to be grandpa, be-
fore he took this silly notion. She
came on purpose to get him, she's done
1t before-the bold piece!"
81 didn't want any of her help; she
took the basket right out of my hands.
AS If l couldn't carry it across the
street. One would think me to old
and feeble to stand up alone, to hear
her take on" Grandpa Taylor said,
Indignantly. I'm two years younger
than he is" she added, red spot
on each cheek and spark in her eyes.
81 suppose you saw him making a
speck of imself"-grandma nodded
it's disgusting the way an old man will
act when he takes notion to young
girl. l wish his old flute was in the
stove. I'd put it there if l dared,
get so tired of his sentimental toot'
ing. l know it distnrbs your folks
too"
Grandma didn't say so, but to tell
the truth, she kept her window open
to hear it, the old-fashioned tunes ap
pealed to her heart, awakening memo
ries of youth and love.
IF Grandpa Porter had got to be sc
foolish, | don't see why he couldn't
have taken q notion to grandma" Mrs
John mused, regretfully, as grandma
walked briskly away, erect and trim
That girl will keep him off till noon
expect"
Which she did, and then hung or
. the gate at her own home and talked
to him, till Mrs John had to send one
of the children to tell him to come tc
dinner.