The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1903-08-13
THE THURSTONS AS
MATCHMAKERS
By L. z. CHITTENDEN
Copyright, 1903, by 7. C. Mcclure

thing would happen.
Say" said Don excitedly, sitting up
Il know something. You know Mrs
Wilson's nephew, Jim Wilson, who
coaches us at football?"
Eyes"
well l heard daddy tell mother that
he's fallen in love with Amy Smithers
Did you ever hear of such a silly-a
great big fellow like him in love? But
he is" continued Don. looking around
with a disguised air
Amy Smithers," said Ted. with the
air of a connoisseur, lis the prettiest
girl In the town. She's brick, too. and
the best Sunday school teacher l ever
had. | intended to marry her myself"
well, you can't" continued Don,
'nor Mr.. Wilson either, for daddy says
Mrs. Wilson is awful mad about it on
account of Mrs. Smithers being a farm
er and talking bass and having whis-
kers, and Amy's her niece, you see."
well, the idear said Polly indig-
nantly why, Mrs. Smithers is an aw-
full good woman, and you don't think a
bit about her whiskers when you know
her"
Mrs. Smithers Is mad, too, and says
Mrs. Wilson is a stuck up thing and
Amy's not allowed to have anything to
do with that nice Mr.. Jim Wilson.
Daddy's about crazy with hearing both
sides and not being able to do thing
about 1t, and he says he's glad he and
mother are going to the synod next
week, and he hopes something will
happen while he's gone to fix things up.
So let's u.s.
Five Thurstons with renewed interest
in life sat up.
How" they queried simultaneously.
Then Molly, struck with an idea,
said, Don Thurston, how'd you ever
hear all this?'
Had the toothache the other night
and couldn't sleep, so | laid down on
the floor beside that drum thing that
comes up from the sitting room, and
daddy was talking so l couldn't help
but hear" said Don.
You ought to have coughed or some
thing" said Molly severely.
"Never mind" said Polly; I'm glad
he didn't; it's SO interesting. Let's
think what to do
Lets have a dinner party" said
Molly. "and ask the bishop to come
and Mrs. Wilson and Mrs. Smithers
and Miss Amy and Mr.. jim, and ask
'em all separate and tell them not to
tell any one, but to come and meet the
bishop. Then when they're all here
We'll have it all dark and Miss Amy
and Mr.. Jim in the library concealed,
and We'll spring the lights on, and no.
body'll dare get mad with the bishop
there, and they'll all say, Heaven bless
you, my Children"
How can we with mother gomez"
asked Polly.
"We.n get Mrs. Flanagan to help,
and we'll have it the evening father
and mother come home"
"Where'll we get the money! asked
Ted, suddenly developing practical
side.
We've got dollar apiece saved for
MISSIONS we can use that and save
some more for MISSIONS" suggested
Don.
This is a kind of mission, l think"
said Polly, trying not to wonder what
her father would think about it,
With the Thurstons to plan was -
act; so Polly and Molly flew to the
house for paper to write out their
menu. Dummy Dee was to get on his
wheel and go over to the bishops.
The bright spots in the busy, over
worked bishops life were usually sup
piled by the Thurstons.
So as he was coming out of his door
with a pile of letters in his hand his
heart cheered within him at the sight
of the somewhat ball-like figure of
Dummy Dee dismounting in haste
from his wheel.
"Oh, bishop, I'm so glad you aren't
gone away" began Dummy Dee after
they had shaken hands. because we
want to fix something with you. Can
you come to a kind of a supper or din
ner party at our house next week
Thursday"
That's the evening | get home from
the synod said the bishop. II think l
can, thank you"
Father and mother are going too. 1t
will be surprise. Be sure not to tell
them about it at the synod, won't you,
bishopY
And the bishop, seeming mysterious
delights from afar, promised faithfully
not to diyulge the secret nor to forget
his own engagement.
SO Dummy Dee rode happily away to
where the five were struggling with
the menu, which seemed never to pro-
gress beyond ice cream and fried chick
en-, with candy interludes.
Mrs. Wilson and Mrs. Smithers ac-
cepted with the same delight the bish-
op had shown. They were entirely sure
that whatever the Thurstons figured
in could be counted on to be wildly ex-
citing as well as original.
Then Mr.. Wilson and Miss Amy
Smithers were sworn to secrecy and
invited
Mrs. Flanagan was engaged to help
about the dinner. She made up in good
nature what she lacked in skill which
was considerable.
The day of the feast was busy one
md providentially. they considered. a
half holiday from school. Mrs. Wilson
sent flowers ana after a consultation
with the open minded Dummy Dee ar
ranged some matters with her own