The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-09-28
HIS MATE
BY LAWRENCE ALFRED CLAY.

BY LAWRENCE ALFRED CLAY.
-
Caleb Andrews was a man of fifty.
He was also q widower, and had de.
cided to marry again. although his
fourteen-year-old daughter was run
ming the house very well.
Caleb wasn't rich man, but in de.
Gliding to marry again the question of
property had no influence. He was
one widower in a hundred about that.
The widower had an appetite. He
was born with it. 1t was an appetite
that would have done credit to one OF
his work horses. He shoveled down
the boiled dinners-the pork and
beans--the fried pork and potatoes
the bread buildings, and two hours
later he could eat Just as much as If
he had been all day without a meal.
When Caleb got ready to look up a
wife it was almost question Of:
Can she cook?" There might not be
much love to start on, but as she
cooked and cooked the love would
grow and bloom and blossom until he
would finally have to squint twice to
make out whether she had wings OF
arms. $751;
Caleb didn't put up any surprise
party on his three children when he
had come to the conclusion to marry
again. He sat down with his pipe
after a hard days work and q sup
per that would have made an OK groan
with contentment and said:
Mary, I'm a hearty eater"
"Yes, father"
Keeps you cooking most Of the
time"
"Yes."
"You orter have more schooling"
Il think So"
But my appetite keeps you home
and keeps you over the hot stove"
Eyes, father"
Therefore, Mary-therefore-"
But you must have all you want to
eat" said the girl as he hesitated.
Seems that way, but I've been
thinking Of late that If could change
fodder l wouldn't eat SO much. You
cook first rate, but It's allus the same
things over and over. Now il new
hand was to come in there'd be q
change in the dishes. eh?"
Il guess they would. but whom can
you hire?"
Nobody. Don't want to hire nobody
tall" y
Then how"
Get married ag'in. Get q wife t
do the cooking. Get . wife who's 60
q twist of the wrist about bilin' ant
bakin' and gettin' up new dishes. What
70 think of IT."
Its for you to decide, father"
you children won't raise any row.
mo"
That's mighty nice Of you. and vol
can count on getting some Santa ClauI
in your Christmas stockings"
"Have you picked her out?" wal
timidly asked.
only just kinder picked her out.
thought I'd tackle the wilder Bliss
first" ~,
She's nice."
Yes, but can she cook? She's go
to be nice and mighty good cook be
sides. Aftertfve eaten one meal IL
her house can tell whether she'll al
the bill or not"
The Widow Bliss lived in the villag,
three miles away. She was forty-fiv,
years old, and was weary Of facing
the troubles Of life alone-some rea
good man--some man that would ap
preciate her many good qualities
why. why
No one must blame her or sheer q
her. As we are told In Holy Writ
husbands shall not know their wive'
In heaven, and wives shall not know
their husbands. Therefore, 1t is bet
ter to get plenty Of husbands ant
wives on earth.
Caleb, the widower, loaded up fiv,
bushels Of potatoes and HE'D him dowr
to the Widow Bliss with them. They
were gift to her, and she made Il
plain that his generosity was duly ap
preciated. They became so interested
in each other. and he had timed tn,
hour so accurately. that she invited
/, him to stay to supper.
That's It! Now I'll get line OF
her ceoking!" he said to himself aftel
accepting the invitation. Mighty mic,
little woman. but can she cook? Cal
! she serve up 'taters in a new way
Are her pie-crusts short and flaky. o.
heavy and soggy? Can she make cuI
Of tea to curl the hair, or is there ;
taste of dishwater about it,"
The widow won the gold medal will
bread pudding. 1t was baked in {
dish half the size of a milk pan. Ca
leb's wife used to make what sh,
called bread puddings, but they didn'
hold a candle to this one. A still
small voice whispered to the widow
that her visitor would eat that pud
ding to a standstill if given a chance
the spot. For the first time in year
he showed back from the table witt
his appetite perfectly satisfied. Whel
ready to go he said:
"Widder, you are q nice littl
woman!r
I'm glad you think So" she reptile,
with a laugh.
Il shall probably come around thi
way again"
And l shall always be glad to Sc
you"
| Tho fafhar want hopno ond told h;