Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1905-09-02
Mr., MIGG'S PROPOSAL.


Migg, but thought p'raps you'd write
the letter Pm no and with pens, though
| can read what they've writ with any
body"
He sat on the extreme edge of a chair
before me-a little red-faced man with
mild blue eyes and stubbly gray hair.
He was a bootmaker by trade, but he
had small private means which rendered
him particularly eligible" in the eyes
of the village of Great Hale and it mar
red him internationally to Widow Dray-
ton, who kept a farm beyond its borders,
and Martha Cowpcrthwaite, who saw to
had any individuals taken more active
interest in such speculations than those
two adde's themselves.
"I'll help you with pleasure, Mr.. Migg,"
said But why not call upon Mrs.
Drayt0n-or is Martha? ?"
It's fer YOU to decide which, mum, =
deferred the suitor, politely, IF you ave
the trouble of writin'. But I'll not make
a fool of meself with speakin'. I've a
way Of losin' me cad when I'm excited.
an the vilage1l know termoIrer just
what I've said. III not be a langhin'
stock"
Surely" l said, neither of them
would"
"It'lI 90 the round, viii your letter.
said Mr.. Aligg. applying red handker-
chief to a moist brow. You can't blame
no woman fer maxim the most of a pro-
posal, mum. But l know you'll put
nothin' ASH make me look foolish. /
misdoubt you'll ave lad one of the kind
your-''
Just think out exactly what you'd
like said while | finish this letter" | in
terrupted, hurriedly.
The little man crumpled his brows and
| bent over my desk and addressed my
self to the completion of letter to
certain pretty little Martha Mayne.
daughter of the landlord of the Red Lion.
who was taking part in a village enter
tainment over which the gods for my
sins had ordained my supervision. A
deprecating cough made me pull fresh
paper toward me-
"'Dear-?'''' | said. inquiringly.
En-" said Mr.. Migg, with start.
"Oh, beg pardon, mum. En- names
Sarah"
"Oh, then it is Mrs. Drayton2"
I'm told she says I'll never regret
takin' 'er, an that she'd not feed 'er pigs
on Martha Cowperthwaite's cookin'," said
MIR. Migg, simply
unfortunate animals!" | said UNI
thinkingly. Martha gave me an excel
lent dinner last week when my cook was
ill.,"
Did she now?' cried Mr.. Migg. "Then
it's Just that Widdcr's impotence! Whatll
do fer you'll do fer me, mum. Set down
Martial"
Mr. Migg." | said little desperately,
are you sure You want to get married
at ALL"
I've told everybody" he said, with
iinality in his tone, "as I'd take one on
'em by Easter Bein' single comes out in
the boots, even. You can't give your
mind TO turnm' out smart pair if
you're keepin' ore eye On a saucepan of
pertaters that sRiftless grill ferget.
Marthy's used to shop, too Set er
down, num-"
set down Martha. She was of the
ample, energetic type, and | felt that I
was placing Mr. Migg in capable hands.
She's not so ill-lookin'. neither, as
Sarah Drayton. Drayton went blind a
month after ed married 'er." he added
meditatively. What next. mum ?"
II have cared for you for q lone
timer" | suggested.
Nay, nay, said air. iIiep. firmly
We shall ave it framed in the parlor
as like as not. III ave nothin' put /
might reproach mcSeIf fer after. I'd like
wv Ill You marry meg simple"
1t struck me that even limited skill
IN oaIlgraphy might have achieved this
much fer Itself, and said SO. Mr.. AIieg
shook his head.
II You've wrote it, he said, She can't
Ter shame say ii it's not to 'er hkin'.
ave l got to sign me name 2"
explained that the letter would other.
WISE tee Valucess. and he traced his sig
nature IN irregular, disconnected charac-
trrs At the moment there was a tap at
the door.
Widow Drayton would like to speak
to you'm."
Not in 'erc!" interposed Mr.. AIisg
cbruptly.
IN come to her in a minute, Eliza.
| said.
M iii clear out am post this" added
the squire Of DANES hurriedlv as nv maid
vanished. Ii she sees me she'n oct
round me with or tongue. an I'll lot
alter uow!"
l hastily crammed my letter and his
own into their envelopes.
loull find stamp in that little box.
50 You can post it at once. and this one
tor me. il You viii, and if you let your.
self out by the conservatory door. Mrs
Drayton viii never see YOU
cut short his thanks as | departed To
the individual whose hopes l had shat.