The National tribune., 1903-05-21

"Well, l declare" said the Deacon. at
the family cohncil at the breakfast table
the next morning, Il never did see as sick
boys pick up as fast as them boys are
doing. l knowed your cooking and nurs-
ing, Mother, d fetch 'em through, if any
human. power could, but / never expected
such brisking up as they have done in
the last few days"
"Give some credit to the girls, Father"
said Mrs. KleSg. with look at them
that sent bushes to their faces.
well, if a man isn't made a heap
better by having his young wife that he
hain't seen for a year come to him. he's
pretty poor sort of a man." said Maria,
with n nod toward Annabel, who got red
der than ever, but plucked up spirit to
retort:
"H0w about the young man who's
best girls come clear here to see him,
and promised to marry him?"
''Eh? What's that?" inquired the Dea-
con. prcking up his ears.
why. Pap, don't you know yet?" tit
tered Annabel.
IF l had to know all that's running
through the heads of you girls wouldn't
have room for anything very useful"
said the Deacon, trife sarcastically.
but this is real important. It's some
thing worth knowing" persisted Anna
bel.
''Annabel, let Maria"-interposed Mrs.
Klegg.
IN tell my own news. Missy" said
Maria to Annabel, with dignity. ''Don't
put yourself to any trouble on my ac-
count. You and Sill have quite enough
to do to attend to your own affairs"
why, l didn't mean no HARM"
pleaded Annabel.
'Mebbe you'd idn't. But
why, why? What's the matter?"
asked the Deacon, looking puzzled and
sorry. Il didn't know
well, you'll know now, Pap" said
Maria. ''Wili has asked me to marry
him; and I've promised to do so. That's
.'Well, it's good deal, 1 should say"
said the Deacon. knitting his brows.
But this did not happen recently?"
Yesterday" answered Maria.
"Yesterday?" echoed the Deacon.
why, l thought that was settled be-
tween you a year and more ago."
maria had settled it, but Shorty didn't
know it," said Annabel. with mischiev-
Gus intent to get even with her sister
in-iaw. MARIA only let him know yes
teIua! that ne Hau Deen enSaSeu all the
''There's young sauce-box who's suf-
fering for at9gdod pinching," said Maria.
"And it'll be my first duty after break
fast to give Tito her."
Only yesterday! mused the Deacon.
well, in my day we were more in ear
nest. l think. When boy and girl
liked one another they didn't lose much
time in coming to an understanding. l
hadn't suppbs6d there was any doubt
about You and Shorty pairing off"
There's many a slip between the cup
and the lip, Pap" said Maria evasiyely.
Il hope heThain't been trifling with
you" said the Deacon, with the first
suspicion Off Shorty that ever troubled
his mind. ifhf
'.No. Pap; mot for minute" pro-
amt that kind for a minute.'
Then | cant understand why he
waited until you bad to come clear on
''Father: Father" interposed Mrs.
Klegg. "Don't ask so many questions.
It's all right. Everything's all right"
Its all right, if you say it's all right,
ems matters were always little beyond
my reach. l only thought it little sin
gular"-
''There, there, Father, we'll say no
more about it," interposed Mrs. Klegg,
in tender consideration for Maria "When
we're alone I'll tell you all that thinks
necessary. Here, let me fill up your cup
again"
"What I started out to talk about"
said the Deacon. with his mind at last di-
verted back to its original channels, twas
that these boys have now got a good
start toward getting well. They'll mend
right along, unless they get a setback
from overeating or ever-exertion. All
that is needed is that they should be
watched, and made to take good care of
themselves. l ought to hurry back home
as fast as possible, and get my corn in"
"Oh, your corn can wait, Father" OBJ
jected Mrs. Klegg. "Your always in such
a stew about getting your corn in. I've
noticed that every year. Other men don't
fret about their corn so much. You al
ways get yours in in time"
I'm afraid l won't this year. always
begin planting when the first dogwood
blossoms, and aim to finish by the time the
fall. I've just been looking
around here. Every dogwood blossoms
gone. Not one to be SEEN"
You forget that Spring comes much
earlier here, Father. than it does with us.
Ground won't be fit to plow at home for
long time yet"
Don't know about that; don't know
about that. lt'll be Easter next Sunday,
and the sun'li be north o the line, and
warming up things lively all over the
The Deacon fdgeted uneasily in his
chair, and cast an appreciative look
through the open window to a distant hill
side, where field Of grain had shot I'D
until it was waving in beautiful. long bill |
lows, under the Spring breezes. THAT'S
mighty nice rye out there. Wonder how
my wheat is loOkingY'
''Oh, your wheat's looking all right |
Father" said Mrs. Klegg impatiently. "a |
good deal better, mebbe, than if you'd |
stayed at home and watched it. Iwalked !
through it just before we left, and thought |
I'd never seen it looking so well. Not a |
stool missing anywhere. It'd all come up, |
and passed through the Winter in great |
shape. You just content yourself to stay !
down here until we're certain about the |
boys" n.
I'm certain enough about them now.
iflyou stay here and nurse |
them" nsb
why, Father, you wasn't expecting to |
90 off and leave us here by ourselyes?"
calculated Mrs-IKlegg.
"Why notgYD answered the Deacon
Dlacidly. .,You got down here all |
That's because we were coming to
where you were, Father"
And you can get along all right here.
md come home when you're ready"
Josiah Klcsg. what are you talking
lbout?' demanded Mrs. Klegg, thoroughly
lroused: "LeaYe me here among this raft