The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1911-10-01

Esa M E8NA lottery" sighed Ma
Sal,l8 lVl BlAaR Flickinger, as she and
Is5 ]lasys y<5zzs9aNA| her husband sat alone
lSSz XIV TSss74 on the back porch in
SgNNXgsGySlSS& the warm summer twi-
gBdHSG&sS1sYY light after hard days
work. And here's
our young ones, Opal and Jed, anxious to
make themselves miserable for life, and not
willin' to take advice from nobody"
"Opal don't seem liable to marry very
soon," observed her father gloomiIy. ut
begins to look like Settle Woods had give
her the go-by."
And Opal's a-moonin' away in her own
room this very minute, said Ma angrily.
She amt got no idee what he got mad
at, but she amt got the spunk to brace up
and forgit him.
Where's Jeddie?" questioned Pa Flick
niger.
II suppose he's snuck over to Fern Bis
ties as usual. And Fern amt got no more
brains nor hearth wax doll; but that amt
a-phasin' Jed none. should think with the
example of Sophie and Billie afore 'em, that
they'd take warnin'.
What's wrong with Sophie and Billie?"
asked Pa, surprised
1t amt given me to know-for sure"
replied Ma; but something S wrong there"
"'Tain't Sophie" declared Pa, referring
to their sons wife. She's the bestither is
"'Course it amt Sophie, responded his
wife, it's our own boy, Billie Flickinger,
that's a-makin' everything SO disagrceablci in
his own home, I'll betche but what's
body pOin to do about il 2o
Mebbe you're exaggeratin' things
leetle, limited Pa. "There might not be
nothin' the matter"
Sophie never says a word, but she's gettin'
droopy and thin
'She might be worryin' about the baby"
suggested Pa
No such thing denied Ma. "Louie's
as stubbed baby as ever growed.
II can't get over that kids name yit,
chuckled Pa. Think of namin poor lit
tie innocent Ashabel Ludwig Flickinger"
But what could be thoughtfuller, Pa
Ashabel for YOU and Ludwig for Sophie's
fathere"
Ashabel," stated Pa authoritatively,
is name to be ashamed of in public and
tohold grudge ag'in in private"
never saw nothin' wrong with your
name" asserted Ma; personally l likeit"
We'll, as they're goin' to cali the little
tyke Louie for short, / dunno as it'll do
much harm, = he allowed But tits doubtful
if anything else had ever given Pa Flickin-
ger quite the secret satisfaction that it did
to have little grandson named after him.
"Lemme see, what was worryin'
about" unused Ma.
Want it Sophie?" reminded Pa.
SO twas. And I'm SO nervous that I
don't feel as if could stay at home another
minute; SO | guess III go over and try to
cheer Sophie up-seein Billies gone to
lodge"
Come in quiet, then" admonished Pa.
amt a-goin' to stay six minutes, SO
don't worry yourself sick over nothin',"
returned Ma, as she disappeared into the
warm summer night
Ma found her Polish daughter-in-law,
Sophie Flickinger, who lived next door,
rocking the plump, rosy-cheeked Ashabcl
Ludwig to sleep. She sat in low chair in
the neat little sitting room, which has half
lighted with a pretty shaded lamp. But
Sophies fair, pleasant face looked sad and
patient
Don't git up, Sophie; I'll take Billies
rocker got SO worried and disguised over
the way things is goin' at home" confided
Ma, that felt as if I'd fly if | stayed in
mat house another minute. Besides,
knowed you was all alone. And Pas no
earthly kind Of company when body's
worried"
Whats new to worry about 20 asked
Sophie.
.,Nothin new, Sophie answered Ma
with a sigh. But ever since. Settle Woods
acted SO queer to Opal, and didn't take her
70 the Berren Springs picnic after he'd asst
ner, she's been moonin' round instead of
studying for her stiffcut | want her to
teach school this fall And there's Teddie.
poor poo Kid, dead gone of Fernie Bistle- cause
sue about the only girl he sees except his
own SISTER And ! wouldn't care SO much
spout ms bein in with Fern, though she is
..ssather-head, if she want two-faced. And
uieft you arel Trouble, trouble every
maiefe, and not drop to drink, as Pa
Gays sometimes for josh; but it amt no