The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-02-18


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and daddy won't be home Tor lunch, sa
cant asls him.
I'm 'frah you'll be drownded,
DEAR the little mother said anxiousls
John Philip did not object to "dearing-
In private. "aR | don't believe you'd
better TO-"
"Poohl' John Philip rejoined. sYou
amt my mother. I ain't had mother
since was born" .ie s
NO. she sighed, ~ you had q real.
~ truly one ! guess you'd have to
mind. Your father might get you one.s
John Philip grinned. He's too busy, !"
he said. "but ! know one I'd like to get.
Last summer we was down ct Cove
inlet three weeks-daddy an mean
there was q jolly nice girl there, an we
liked her awful well-daddy an me-
an we took her picture one day--snap-
shot--f mean daddy did. He's got It
Jet. Come up to his room, and I'll hunt
for t."
The children ned into the house and
up to Mr.. Browns sitting room. Be
hind tall vase John Philip found the
object Of bis search. For moment Co
lumbia gazed at II with wondering
eyes. "Why, It's herr she shouted, with
more force than grammar. nles my
Miss Curtis! She lives near the home.
Course she's awful nicer She gazed
long and lovingly at the picture. "say,"
she said at last, "s'pose we get her for
your motherT
Thereupon followed a discussion Of
ways and means, and IL was not until
after luncheon that the committee Of
two set forth In quest OF mother for
John Philip. 1t was a very startled
and amazed young lady who listened
to their plea. II was Columbia who Of
fered the most persuasive argument.
"He hasn't anybody but his Aunt
Rachel and his father" she said plead
ingly, IAN he keeps your picture back
Of vase, an -
"Who keeps my picturey' Miss Cur
lis interrupted. her sweet face flush |
ing rose red.
why. John Philips father" Colum-
bia explained. II s'pose you didn't |
know bout 1t then?"
mo. I didn't know" she said. 'T
didn't know" she repeated to herself |
again and again.
Now you know, an won't you |
come. please? II was John Philip |
who pleaded now. Miss Curtis stoop-
ed and took his freckled little face be-
tween her slender white hands. "I'll
think OF II, DEAR" she promised, but |
It will be 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 eta rr8
Daddy" John Philip said bluntly, Il |
asked her. Columbia an me-
Philip Brown looked up from his pa
per. He was fine specimen Of man
hood-strong Of body and mind. clean
Of heart and still on the sunny side"
Of forty. s1s9f" 8Fs@
Asked whomr he said. ASKED
what r. RN
Miss Curtis. you know. ! III asked |
her to be my mother" 90
Philip Brown sat up very straight
and stared at his small son and heir.
Don't you want her?' the little Eel.
ow said. struggling manfully to keep
back the tears. II said / was sure you
wanted her, same as / did"
What did she sayY The question
.ame from between white lips.
"She didn't know you had her pic
ure till Columbia told her. She said
he'd think about II, but I'd better not
ell you I'd asked her to-
But John Philip was taking to the
'mpty afr. His father was out Of the
oom before the last sentence was an.
shed. He had seized his hat and van
shed.
Gee" John Philip said to himself.
we've done it now. / guess-C -Colum-
ia an mel'
They had. The bride and groom said
o on their wedding day. John Philips
ather had suggested that the orches-
ra play Hail Columbia" while the
mot was being tied. but, strange to
ay, the bride elect objected.