The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1913-03-13
HEARD THE CALL
Crusty Old Bachelor Who Said
He Would Never Marry Sur
renders at Last.
BY JOANNA SINGLE.

i
l ~ paper Syndicate.)
| AMI now / suppose you'll be get
tin married. Fordie."
Ford looked up from his paper, pipe
In mouth, and scowled at the old gis.
SIP Mrs. Peters came in from the
neighborhood an hour or two daily to
do the work in the little house now
that his mother was dead. Then he
was ashamed Of the scowl and an.
swered patiently:
I'm not fool I'll leave here
when the lease Is out, and board and
make something of myself. I've had
all the care-and glad to have it--of
mother for ten yearsTsince ! was
fifteen. I've nothing but my trade,
and have Just kept even with bills.
Nothing"
You're a right good worke-,
| Fordie, and always with plenty to
do" said the old woman. "and getting
married don't take much money"
Nor any sense, either. from what !
notice. Nothing, divided by two-or
more-doesn't go far. The people
| about here don't think. They live
from hand to mouth. They don't
look ahead. They marry when the
fancy strikes them and then it's pow
erty and worry. I'm going to get
out Of the tread, mill. wouldn't have
the face to ask girl to share moth
Ing with me, to work hard for her
hno rd
too good. I'd rather let her earn her
living alone, hard as 1t is. It's more
fair"
The woman, now at the door, gave
a parting shot. She's the sort some
body'll get-she might as we'll marry
the one she wants" Her tone was
significant, but he did not question
her Il mean Evie Jordan-she amt
lived two year beside you without
seem you"
Ford was glad she had the sense to
go after that. The old gossip! But
In his heart he heard the call he had
been trying to ignore-heart calling
to heart, man to maid. All spring
with life renewing itself about him, it
had been coming, and now it was
hard to still. For though Ford Hud-
sons boyhood had a mans RESPONSE
bilities. he was yet only twenty-five,
and Evie was very sweet.
His mind could not keep from Evie,
and he missed her running in. and out
as she had done during his mothers
long illness. She was gallant,
bright-eyed girl, all courage and re-
serve. She grew upright like a young
tree And never had she shown him
a look beyond mere neighborly friend
liness, She sold gloves at Benton's
She came home and washed the
dishes at night, and helped Popsy,
her little sister, with her lessons, and
made solid friends. Ford thought of
Frank Barker, who came occasionally
to see her-he was older than Ford,
without membranes, and owned a
little place In the edge Of town. He
could care for the girl Marrying
Frank, good enough fellow, she
would not need to think about rent,
worry over doctors bill, or any ex-
tras.
Ford was almost morbid about the
daily struggle for bread he had been
brought up in. His sister, much old
sr, had married very young, and was
faded anxious, petty woman Her
husband was discouraged Their chill
dren had no particular chance. Would
marriage turn EVE into woman like
that? II so, he, at least would not
be responsible, He dislked most
married women. They were thin and
anxious and selfish; or little too fat,
and bit slovenly. They lacked tone
the Outstanding quality--of, say,
Evie. with her poise and stamina.
No, Ford decided, he would stand
alone. He had always believed a man
could overcome any feeling, even love,
II he was not ready for it. He would
work up to something like comfort
and dignity in the community. He
wanted to study a Iittle--he felt his
lack Of mroe than common schooling.
He himself had no especial parentage,
no training but that Of experience.
no backing" He would not found
family until he could give 1t better
foothold for an upward climb than he
had had. II he waited, say, until he
was thirty-four or five-ten years-it
| might be decent to ask woman to
marry him. Meantime he would sim
Evie Jordan.
Ford had only himself to watch
Evie went her own way, she did her
work. and sometimes from his yard
or at window, he would watch her.
! She was never nervous, but strong,
calm. There was a quiet, restful look
In her dark eyes, even her plain way
OF wearing her hair rested him. He
| himself was fair and OF quick temper
She seemed always serene, always SEN
timental, even when Frank Barker
began coming oftener and sat about
In the yard with Popsy. her little sis
ter, ever present. 1t was queer, Ford
thought. that the man never took her
anywhere Didn't he ask her, or
wouldn't she go? Occasionally she
went to some amusement with a man
friend, but never Barker. She stuck
to her work at home and downtown
One night, having reached home
from his work ahead Of her. he was
In his yard when she came simply
tripping up the sidewalk 1t was hot
and he knew she had worked hard
she had been Ave years in that one
store. She saw him, and beckoned
Sayly, and he came, glad he could not