Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-11-02
my HUSBAND, I GREET YOU"


had been at her age-that is to say, the
younger woman was like a peach with
the first rosy hue painted on it by the
sun, while the older was that same
peach when its colors had become mel
low. Mr.. Washburn, having been
turned away by the woman he loved,
naturally sought comfort with the
daughter who so nearly resembed her,
and, being lonely. living by himself in
his oaken domicle, smoking his pipe,
solitary, before the logs burning in his
great open fireplace, he unused thus:
''If l cannot have the mother to keep
me company, why SHOULD l not have
the daughter, providing that mother
will give her to me? True, wish the
older woman, who is nearer my age
and with whom l can consult as to my
affairs, but Faithful is stronger and
can better do that work about house
which Is expected OF a woman. Be-
sides, the mother and l will be aged
at the same time and like the blind
leading the blind, whereas Faithful
when 1 am an old man will be in her
prime and the better able TO take care
of me. Yet she will be old enough to
have lost desire for admira ton, and
l shall not have to fear the gallantry of
young men,"
Thus did the lonely bachelor attempt
to persuade himself that it would be
better after all that he should marry
the daughter instead of the mother.
Nevertheless there were many reasons
on the other side, and down in the bot
tom of his heart he wanted Mrs Stan
ford herself.
However, having formed a resolu-
ton, the next day he went to the
house where the two women lived and,
calling for the mother, asked for the
hand Of her daughter. He was natural
ly shamefaced in making his request,
since not long before he had assured
the lady of whom he made it that his
happiness depended solely on her. He
expected to be taken to task for his
change Of heart, but the widow simply
replied that her daughter had reason
to be proud OF having won the esteem
of so prominent a defender OF the
colony and she, the mother would be
happy to bestow Faithful upon him if
he could show that he had the property
to be expected of the man she should
marry. Since Mr.. Washburn could
show nothing more than he had shown
on his previous application he arose
with deep sigh and left the house
Walter Washburn, who was as sim
pie minded as he was brave, poured
his trouble into theoears Of Mrs. Hurl-
but, married woman, who had shown
great friendship for him. Mrs Stan
ford was acting selfishly in refusing
her daughter to a good man whom she
did not wish for herself.
II would advise you. Friend Walter"
said his confidant, ito carry of the
young woman you wish to wife"
How could do thatT' asked Wash
burn.
You are not fitted TO form a plan in
such a proceeding You must have
some friend to lay one for you and to
assist you in carrying it out. Leave the
matter to me. Come to see me again
In a few days. and l may have some
thing to say 70 you"
The next day Mr.. Washburn received
the invitation to eat a Thanksgiving
dinner with the widow and her daugh-
ter. The friendly act smote his con-
science that he had even thought Of
robbing the widow of her daughter,
and he went at once to Mrs. Hurlbut
TO say TO her that she need form no
such plan . she had proposed on his
behalf, for lie would have nothing to
do with so nefarious a matter.
But Mrs. Hurlbut soothed him and
reminded him that lovers had from
time immemorial eloped and had al
ways held the sympathy OF mankind.
| Washburn said that his own case was