The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1902-10-08
The InfatuatiOn Of GRANDPA.

The child ran back with big eyes,
exclaiming: You'd just ought to see
grandpa"
They all looked with big eyes,
when he came in. He was shaved
clean of all his beautiful, white beard,
leaving only a mustache, and that was
waxed till 1t shone; his hair was cut
in the latest fashion and with his rud-
dy cheeks and twinkling eyes he look
ed absurdly young, almost younger
than his son.
We'll" he said, as they stared at
him. isn't 1t an Improvement"
Words failed them.
I'm prepared for anything now,"
Mrs. John confijed to her husband,
later ITS plain that she put him up
to it. aMybe II she knew about his
will she wouldn't be so bent on marry.
ing him."
She does know: I had good
chance and told her the other day"
What did she say?"
Just laughed and said folks
changed their wills sometimes. She's
got long head, can tell you: she
knows that she can coax his money
out of him, and she don't care what
anybody thinks"
Perhaps if you talked right out
plain to him, showed him what a
laughing stock It's making of him"
st 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
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 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 TO fool like an old fool"
quoted Mrs. Ray, grandma's daugh-
ter.
"Oll Mr.. Porter is no fool, though
he does act like one" grandma re.
marked.
mo, more's the pity" said John,
hall regretfully. I'D interfere AMI
stop it IL there was ghost of a chance
that way. But he's too sharp at his
business affairs to have anything the
matter with his mind"
oh, he knew well enough what he
was about, grandma reflected, and he
was fine figure of a man and walked
as supple as q 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 1t 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"
We'll, wouldn't she be a sweet lit
tie grandma grandpa asked with a
cackle.
Mrs, John bit her lips to keep the
hot words back.
Il do believe it's catching" Mrs.
Ray ran across to confide to Mrs
John. Mas been and got a 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-
piled. "As long as she don't go gala.
wanting around with some young fel.
low"
"Oh, mad never think of marrying
anybody. / Just wouldn't allow that
young or old" Mrs. Ray declared
somewhat incoherentIy.
well, you can manage an old lady
but an old man you can't. l feel as II
we we're disgraced," Mrs. John re-
joined.
Sne was sure of 1t when one day
grandpa dressed up, brought livery
rig and took the Mink out for a ride
out to his farm. She clapped on heI
sunbonnet and went to interview the
Minx's mother.
Don't you think it's disgraceful for
a young girl to 60 traipsing off with
an old man.. Hannah Smith," she de
manded with asperity.
"Mr. Porter is a man Of good char
acter and church member" Mrs
Smith asserted. bridling defensively.
"Oh, understand; you are in the
game, too" Mrs. John cetorted.
Mrs. Smith closed her mouth firmly
and tossed her head. And Mrs. Johr
gave 1t up and went home; she knew
Hannah Smith well enough to know
that you needn't say anything more u
her. when she looked like that.
Grandma Taylor was just leaving Z
neighbor's when the couple returned
She bowed to them in cold hauteur a