The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1913-01-30
IT WAS PAPA'S IDA
And 1t Went AWry as Papa's
Ideas Usually Do in Love
Affairs.
BY DONALD ALLEN.

erhl prODlly huufh WIG anu ~""c''
the latter being named Jennie. she
was twenty years old the day ner
father began to scheme
Those who had known Mr.. F6rbush
for q single year-and there were
many who had know him for dozen
or more-would have laughed at the
idea of his scheming He had money
lent out. and the interest on 1t, to-
gether with the dollars he made as
notary and other ways. kept the little
family going In nice shape There was
no usury In lending the money and II
the borrower couldn't return 1t on the
date recorded he was granted more
time.
Mr.. Forbush paid his debts II he
made any, had pew In church, and
never wrangled with his neighbors
about religion or politics. He went
around very quietly. smiling at all and
there wasn't baby In the town with
less guile than he, judging by his face.
In his home life he was loving father
and fond husband. One might as
we'll look for thunder without clouds
as for such a man to scheme, and
against his own family at that.
AS Miss Jennie Forbush was by far
the handsomest girl In the town she
had plenty of admirers. She wasn't a
girl to be won by money. but as she
would get little or nothing from her
father 1t was only natural that she
should do a bit of thinking now and
then. Scarce one OF the young men
about her could have shown hundred
dollars laid by. It's nice to be In love,
and it's nicer to be married, but the
landlords expect their rent. and gro
GERS and butchers must be paid.
Mr.. Forbush could not help but
know that his daughter was sought
for, but he was only mildly interested.
Once In awhile he and his wife talked
the matter over bit and went as far
as to hope that Miss Jennie would
sake a good match. but they said very
little to her on the subject They did
not know when or how young Gilbert
Dale came into the field, and the
daughter did not enlighten them.
Gilbert Dale's father was a re-
spected citizen of a town ten miles
away. The son wasn't respected so
much. He was twenty-three years old,
and staid old members OF the COM
munity In which he lived held up
their hands In horror when he came
racing by in his auto, or they heard
that he had participated In another
wine supper. Nothing at all vicious
about him, but just going the pace
till something should happen to bring
him up short. An old hen and
young man must turn around a few
times before they can settle down.
In due time young Dale got part
of what was coming to him. He was
racing his auto along country road
all alone, and acting as his own
chauffeur, when the machine suddenly
swerved and he was thrown out to roll
down the bank and into a river where
the chances OF stunned man FOR be-
ing drowned were nine out Of ten
Miss Jennie Forbush was no heroine.
She had never even scratched the kero-
sene can from the hands of her moth
er as the latter was about to hurry
up the fire. If she had ever even read
of heroines she had not sighed TO be
one Yet, when the critical moment
came she went at 1t as II she had
played the part many seasons. She
was on her way to visit girl friend
# oil do hA
town, and she was on the spot when
the accident occurred. Down the
bank she went after tie young man,
and at some peril to herself dragged
him ashore before 1t was too late.
Miss Forbush had saved Mr. Dales
life. Why shouldn't she fall In love
with him? Mr.. Dale was grateful and
full of admiration Why shouldn't he
say as in the play: My life belongs
to thee?"
At any rate they met again, and
again. and 1t was cause for wonder
how the young man settled down and
mended his ways. Even his mother
said that the change was something
beyond her to fgure out
And now came the scheming Mr.
Jason Brush was widower of the vii
lage. He had been for fifteen years,
when he had a dream one night that
he fought to get married again. The
dream made great impression, and
he went to his minister with 1t. The
good man heard the particulars and
replied.
Il can't say that | am believer In
dreams. have dreamed that the con-
gregation raised my salary and paid
1t cash down as faN as due. but moth
ing OF the kind followed"
But the voice was so plain sighed
the caller.
Ibid 1t tell You to marry the widow
Spicer?'
mo sir. Why parson she la older
than be-"
Was any name mentIoned9"
II can't remember"
Just told you that you ought to
get a second wife7"
That's all. Do you think 1t was
my dead wife talking to me from
heaven?"
Hardly" was the dry reply Bet.
ter wait and see IL you don't dream
the same dream again and get name
or two to guide you"
Mr.. Brush went away with that un-
derstandipg. and fate was very kind
to him. He was back next forenoon