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

laughed Sayly.
Grandpa's other two sons, Eben and
Charles, in answer to urgent appeals,
made their appearance.
Grandpa flew into a rage. 81 won't
have anybody meddling with my af-
fairs" he declared, stamping around
noisily. 'Tll do as l please, and it's
none of your business"
Eben demonstrated, and Charles
coaxed in vain; then they went off to
tackle the Mink. Eben gave and took
immediate offense, and left to go over
it again uselessly with his father.
Charles sauntered in when the storm
had spent itself. you're a gay old
boy, pa" he said, slapping grandpa on
the back "and you must bring Mother
Porter up to see u.s."
"Now that's something likel" grand
pa replied, shaking MS hand warmly.
Her last hope gone, Mrs. John sub
sided in tears, and a headache; and
grandpa shut himself up and played
all the old things he could remember,
triumphantly, but with a more dis
tractingly wheezy wall than ever.
Across the street an old lady lin
gered by the open window, listening
hungrily, at times wiping away fur
tive tear.
Grandpa and Mink were thicker than
peas in pod" Mrs. John said, after
his declaration of independence and
victory over her sons. And then one
day, after an early dinner, he dressed
in his best and again took her for a
long ride out in the country. 1t hap
pened to be day when Grandma Tay-
lor, in lavender lawn, white tie and new
bonnet, had gone to visit an old friend,
and Mrs. Ray was at liberty to run
over and condole with Mrs. John.
81 don't know what l would do if it
were ma, but I'd never consent to her
marrying again"
PA Porter don't ask anybody's con-
sent, unless it's that girls. l guess
you couldn't help yourself, in my
place"
Maybe not But ma knows my
mind too well ever to think of such
thing. Why" she added laughingly,
when she first came here l was lit
tie anxious about her and grandpa,
they took to each other so. But she
hasn't had much to say to him, since
spoke to her about it"
That would have been suitable
match" Mrs. John replied, "and We
couldn't have objected. But l suppose
Grandpa Taylor is too old and with
+o e,,;t d.,
She's younger than he is, and looks
it, too in her new things, said Mrs.
Ray, taking up the cudgels. Then she
added smiling: We're talking nom
sense; for no matter what anybody
thought of ma, I'd never allow a man
in my fathers place"
well, you can manage an old lady,
but you can't headstrong old man."
Mrs. John reiterated with a sigh.
Toward night Mrs. Ray hurried in
again. "Polly Smith has come home
a-fCot and alone; what do you sup
pose she's done with grandpa?"
Come with me and we'll find out"
said Mrs. John.
The Mink was at the gate, appar-
emily on the lookout for some one.
How did you hear?" she asked, her
face one radiant smile.
We've heard nothing" Mrs. John
| answered shortly, Il want to know
what's become of Grandpa Porter"
why, they're riding around some
| where, guess. came away right after
the wedding"
What wedding-where?" shrieked
Mrs. John.
up to the parsonage, Of course,
and"
And you came off alone as soon as
you were married?" interrupted Mrs.
Ray; Mrs John was speechless.
But I'm not married." said the
Mink serenely.
"Then who" began Mrs. Ray, a
wild suspicion seizing her.
There they comet" the smiling
Mink broke in. Don't they look
sweet" as a buggy whizZed around
the corner.
MA Taylor!" gasped Mrs. Ray.
Grandpa Taylor-Porter," corrected
the Mink. And we's had such a time
with her, grandpa and l! She was SO
afraid of offending her folks that she
wouldn't listen to grandpa at all, un'
til she got wretchedly jealous of me
Poor grandpa was so miserable over
it-and grandma herself wasn't hap
py."
NO" added grandma seriously
"And l decided that you should not
break both our hearts with your no
tions, Emma"
Mrs. John went off into peals OF
laughter, aided by the Mink and bride
groom Mrs. Ray turned her back on
the hilarious crowd and fled.
Eventually she relented and tooR
the happy old couple into favor, bu'
she never forgave Mrs. John thai
laugh.-Iouise ]. Strong, in New OF
leans Times-Democrat..
| Taught to Sec.
That n certain portion of the bllnC