Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1907-10-05
JOSEpHlNE'S FATHER.
: older man frowned

of the girl of today isn't worthy OF any.
consideration whatever. Yesterday it
was dolls; today it is Teddy bears.
Sometimes It is lap dogs. Sometimes
it's beaux. | suppose my daughter thinks
she is fond of your"
Yes, sir"
Just what expected. You train a
girl up in the way she should 90 and
when she's old enough she'll run away
With the first Snug faced rattle brain
that happens along"
The young man inyoluntarily ran his
hand over his chin.
DO do You object TO my face, sir?"
The old man family chuckled.
II wasn't re1erring to you personally"
he explained: I'm merely describing the
type. Come, let's hear what you have to
say. make point never to condemn a
man until he's had the chance to defend
himself Go ahead"
"Thank yon, sir. | am 26 years old.
physically sound and of good habits.
enjoy an excellent income and my father
has promised me house and lot when |
marry"
! ne ola man nOuueu.
That sounds good" he said. But
what about your family 2"
"Oh, you mean during war time. |
think we did our share. We had two
uncles and three cousins i'll the Civil war
and father would have gone to the front
in the war with Spain, but mother
wouldn't let him."
when | spoke. | didn't allude to the
Civil war, sir. The country was rich
and powerful then. refer to the time
when it was poor and weak. There was
no particular credit IN going to the front
in the war with the south So many
people went that no one had chance to
feel lonesome. No, sir. ] refer to the
ever glorious wars with Great Britain,
sir. in f776 and 1912 Do you know
what happened on the 10th Of Septem
her. sirg'
The young man felt very uncomfort-
able
"My birthday Certainly mott"
Il refer to the battle of Lake Erie,
sir"
~oh. yes, the wc,have-met-t the enemy
battle?"
Eyes. And who do you suppose was
there, sir2"
The young man drew long breath.
1T was Commodore Perry, wasn't it,
sir?''
Commodore Perry. 1t was my grand
father"
The Young man nodded pleasantly.
WAS Commodore Perry your grand
father, sirY'
The old man was speeches. for mo-
ment.
Commodore Perry was not my grand
father nor my grandmother, either
nor even my Uncle Benjamin. Listen to
me, young man. My grandfather was at
Put-in. Bay.s'
lie uttered the last words impressively
and glared at the young man as if to be
sure that this momentous fact impressed
him properly.
But the unhappy youth was much
confused.
They say it's fine place fec Sunday
school picnics."
Sunday school picnics!" cried the old
man, This was no Sunday school pic
mic. My grandfather. Horatio Gregg. was
an active participant in that great sea
fight, He told me he was there. He
said; i was in the fight at Put in Bay
He was old and feeble when he said it.
He had lived for many years with my
Uncle Hover in Australia. His memory
was quite gone, but he hadn't forgotten
Perry and Putin Bay" He paused and
drew n long breath. and now, sir" he
said, you win understand why we
Greggs are a proud race. We stood by
our native land in her time of direct
need Can your family match this rec.
ordq'
The Young man shook his head.
I'm afraid not, sir. One of my grand
fathers was clergyman, sir, and the
other was II physician"
The old man waved his hand as il dis
missing an audience
Then, sir" he solemnly remarked.
YOU must give mp all thoughts of mar
rying Josephine. The Greggs have too
much pride to ally themselves with a
family whose patriotic sacrifices date
back only to the Civil war Look mp
your forefathers. sir, and il YOU find
anything report TO me promptly. Good
afternoon"
Good afternoon" said the younger
man,
The young man went away feeling
blue. He had dreaded this necessary in
terview, and now it had turned out much
worse than he expected
He found Josephine waiting for him
on the side porch
She read his face as he came near.
"WelllF she said.
Bad" he answered.
Dld you approach father as ! told
youy'
There was very little approach about
II. lie met me more than half way and
bowled me over
I'm afraid you biundered"
No, didn't. I didn't have time" He
frowned at her, WHY didn't YOU tell
me about the battle of Lake lTieY.
Dear me, did he mention taatg~
did he mention it! WHY. he pretty
nearly fought it all over again. Because
didn't have grandfather thxre I'm 20