Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1905-03-04

John Philip did not object to ''dearing"
In private). IAN | don't believe you'd
better CO.
Pooh" John Ph;::p rejoined. You
amt my mother. amt had mother
since | was born"
No" she sighed. If you had a real
~ truly one ! guess you'd have to
mind. Your father might get you one"
John Philip grinned. Hes too busy"
he said. but know one I'd like to get.
Last summer we was down at Cove
inlet three weeks-daddy an mean
there was jolly nice girl there. an we
liked her awful well-daddy an me
an we took her picture one day-snap-
shot mean daddy did. He's got 1t
yet. Come up to his room, and I'll hunt
for it."
The children fled into the house and
up to Mr. Browns sitting room. Be-
hind tall vase John Philip found the
object of his search. For a moment Co
lumbia gaZed at II with wondering
eyes. why. it's her, she shouted. with
more force than grammar. Its my
Miss Curtis. She lives near the home
Course she's awful NIGEL! She gaZed
long and lovingly at the picture. Say"
she said at last. ''s'pose we get her for
your mother?'
Thereupon followed a discussion Of
ways and means, and it was not until
after luncheon that the committee Of
two set forth in quest Of a mother for
John Philip. 1t was a very startled
and amazed young lady who listened
to their plea. 1t was Columbia who Of
fered the most persuasive argument
HE hasn't anybody but his Aunt
Rachel and his father" she said plead
ingly. AN he keeps your picture back
of a vase, am
''Who keeps my picture?' Miss Cur
tbs interrupted. her sweet face flush
ing a rose red.
why. John Philips father" Column
bia explained. Il s'pose you didn't
know bout it then?"
mo, I didn't know" she said. 81
didn't KNOW she repeated to herself
again and again.
Now you know. an won't you
COuit. picstSc. IL WAS JOuu xuiilp
who pleaded now. Miss Curtis stoop-
ed and took his freckled little face be-
tween her slender white hands. iii
think OF it. dear" she promised, but
il will he better not to mention your
your proposal to your father"
John Philip did not agree with her,
and that very evening he broke the
news to his unsuspecting father. Co
lumbia. with rare delicacy, had declin-
ed TO be present.
Daddy" John Philip said bluntly, 81
asked her-Columbia an me-"
Philip Brown looked up from his pa
per. He was a fine specimen Of man
hood-strong of body and mind, clean
of heart and still ON 1.-The sunny side"
Of forty.
ASKED whom?" he said. asked
WHAT"
Miss Curtis. you know. IL asked
her TO be my mother
Philip Brown sat up very straight
and stared at his small son and heir
Don't you want herY' the little fell
low said. struggling manfully to keep
back the tears. Il said was sure you
wanted her. same as l did"
What did she say?" The question
came from between white lips.
She didn't know you had her pic
ture till Columbia told her. She said
she'd think about it, but I'd better not
tell you I'd asked her to-
But John Philip was talking to the
empty air. His father was out of the
room before the last sentence was fin
ished. He had seized his hat and van
ished.
Gee" John Philip said to himself,
we've done it now. guess-Colum-
bia an me"'
They had. The bride and groom said
so on their wedding day. John Philips
father had suggested that the orches-
ira play Hail Columbia while the
knot was being tied. but. strange to
say, the bride elect objected.