The Washington times., 1907-07-28

"George tidied hisseif Up srter dinner
and went. Flora Pottie was a very
hne-looking gal. and she was very
much surprised when George walked
In. but she was more surprised when
e told 'er that II she was 10 go over
and ask Foxy TO be 'er usband, he
wouldn't say No
Mrs. Pottle Jumped out OF 'er skin
for JOY s'most- She'd 'sd a ard time
Of IT with Flora and I'VE young chill
dreR since 'er 'usband died, and she
could 'ardiy believe 'er ears when Flora
said she wouldn't
'Es old enough 10 be nay father
she Ees
Old men make the best 'usbands.'
ses George. coaxing 'er; and, besides,
think o. the farm.
That's wot you've got to think Of
ses her mother. Don't think O. Foxy
Green at all; think o. The farm
Flora stood and leaned herself I'D
agtn chest o. drawers and twisted 'er
hands. and At last she sent back word
TO say that she wanted time 70 think
IL over.
Foxy Green was very much aston
ished when George took back that an
swer. He'd thought that any gal would
ha' jumped at I'm without the farm.
and arter going upstairs and looking
at hisself in the glass e Nas more
astonished than ever.
when George Smith went up 10 the
Potties aSin the next day Flora made
face al i'm. and e felt as orkard as
II ed been cOurting 'er hisSelf most.
At FIRST she wouldn't ave anything 10
say 10 i'm az all. but went on sweep
ing out the room, and nearly choking
i'm Then George Smith. wot was A
likely young feiler. put is srm round
'er waist, and, taking the broom away
from 'er, made 'er sit down beside i'm
while e gave 'er Foxy's message.
He did Foxy's cOurting for i'm for
an hour, although It on'y seemed about
FIVE minutes TO both OF EN-. Then Mrs
Pcttle came In, and arter a lot Of talk
Flora was got 20 stay that George
Smith might come agin for fve min
utes next day.
Foxy went on dreadful when e card
that Flora admit given an answer.
but George Smith. who liked the Job
much better than farming OF making
beds. told i'm she was coming round.
and that IL was on'y natural a young
EAl should like 10 be courted a biz
afore givin' In.
Yes ses Foxy, biting Is lip. but
'ow's it to be done?
You leave II 10 me- ses George
Smith, and it'n be all right I sit
there and talk about the farm as well
as wot you could
And about me. too. I s'pose? ses
Foxy. catching I'm up.
Yes, ses George; I tell 'er al
sorts o lies about You.
Foxy looked at i'm a moment. and
then e went or srumbling. He was
Ike a good many more men, and be-
cause Flora Pottle didn't seem 10
want i'm e On'y fancied 'er the more.
Next day e sent George Smith up
with. an old brooch as a present. and
when George came hack e said q
thought that If IL 'ad been a new one
IL would ave done wot was wanted.
You can't keep secrets in Clay
bury. and IL soon got round wot Foxy
Green was arteT. That made the other
women more determined than ever,
and AZ last Fcxy sent up word that IL
Flora wounidn't ask i'm to let I'm
know. as e w@s tired o. being a prIs-
OneT. and old Mrs. Bali ad nearly 'ad
m the day afors.
1T took George smith two hours
ard courtin' !sfore ne could get Flora
Pottle to say Yes but at last she did
and then Mrs. PottIe came in. and she
shook 'ands with George. and gave i'm
glass O. beer. Mrs. Pottle wanted
to take 'er up 10 Green's farm there
and then. but Flora said no. She said
they'd go up AT o'clock IN the even
ing. and the sacrifice should be made
then.
Foxy didn't like the word sacrifice
at all. but II ed got to be married ed
sooner marry z Flora than anybody. and
e 'ad 10 put up with It.
'There7l be you tor one Witness
he ses to George. and Mrs. Pottle Is
two: wot about the third?'
- should ave 'alf a dozen. so as
TO make sure. ses George.
Foxy thought Il was a good idea.
and without letting EN- know wot It
was for. = asked Henery White and
Joe Chambers. and three or four more
e 'ad a g-udge against for trying 10
marry i'm to their relations. to come
up and see that ed been able 20 pick
and choose.
''They came at ha-psst = and az s
O'Clock there was a knock at the door.
and George. arter carefully looking
around. let in Mrs. Pottle and Flora.
. She was fine looking gal. and as she
stood there looking AT all them aston
ished men. 'er face all bushes and 'er
eyes large and shining. Foxy thought
getting married wasn't such q bad
thing arter all. He gave 'er a chair
70 sit on. and then = coughed and
waited
It's fine night he ses. at last
Beautiful ses Mrs. Pottie.
Flora didn't say ANYTHING She sat
there shutting 'er feet on the carpet.
and Foxy Green kept on looking a 'er
and waiting for 'er 10 speak and
'oping that she wouldn't grow up like
'er mother.
Go on. Flora ses Mrs. Pottle.
nudging 'er-
Go on, Flora Ses Henery White.
minickinG 'er- I s'pose you've come