Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1917-02-07

Every one liked the placid, comforta-
the big hearted. generous, tovial En-
sign As result every one was cheer
fully contributing to the misery Of
both
After the last vehicle had passed he
arose and went about his solitary din
ner. It'll come worse than pullin'
eye teeth he said aloud. But Wilson
can manage it if anybody cam
Wilson Beebe, young Scranton law
yer, was Ensign's idol and confidant-
He frequently ran up country for
day and usually found his uncle hang
ing over the picket fence in front OF
the house waving his hat in hilarious
welcome But the following morning
when he arrived he was surprised to
find the fence deserted, the door closed
and the blinds shut. He travelled the
length of the house before discovering
the disconsolate householder sitting In
a round shouldered heap on 4 broken
chair which decorated the back porch.
Hello, herew cried Wilson In q ring
ing, hearty voice. What are you up
to back here, 1 should like to knowT
Wilson" said Ensign, partially un-
folding as he gripped the others hand,
II amt enjoyin' myself"
Wilson dropped on the edge OF the
porch and leaned against a post why
not?" he asked breezily. "Sicky'
mo-" returned Ensign solemnly-"no.
not sick in my bones, only in my feel
in'sv'
Wilson whistled. He was not accus-
toned to seeing his favorite relative In
this respondent condition.
what under the canopy IL up7" he
demanded.
Everybody is'-Ensign's tone was
rueful-"that's the trouble. Everybody
is up right early attendin' to my at
fairs"
A CLEAN Of understanding shot into
Wilson's eyes. Its Mrs. Grey" he
said simply.
Ensign nodded. Yes, it's Lizzie
Grey"
He extended his feet to the edge Of
the porch and clasped his hands over
his vest, announcing darby: Wilson.
there's goin' to be big change here
shortly-a big change. There's got to
be. I'll leave it to you that there's
things a man can't stand forever"
For instance?" prompted Wilson.
well, there's church. I've got to
give it up"
you give up church?' cried the 9th
er in genuine surprise. why, uncle,
you'd be fish ont Of water Sundays"
YES. stree. I've stood churchgoin'
now as long as can. I'll leave 1t to
you 1 set right back Of her. If look
at her the idiots up In the choir giggle
and say l can't keep my eyes OF her.
II / don't look at her they say daren't
And either way well you know how
my face gets, Wilson, and me fifty
years old"
Wilson nodded and refrained from
smiling.
"In Sunday school it's Just as bad.
Our classes are close together and fac
in each other, with parcel Of pesky,
gigglin' girls one side Of u.s."
There was pause and long sigh.
Still Wilson faced his uncle soberly.
"And back here home it's just the
same with her across the road and
some neighbor or other at every door
and window around US, watchin' to
see what I'm up to. If set out in
front they tell me i better not wear
out my own porch SO long as there's
another waitin' for me. If set back
here some one who hasn't got enough
business of his own to attend to starts
the story that she's give me the nit
ten"
When he spoke again his tones were
Enthusiastically stubborn. I've made up
my mind, Wilson, to be quit of this
foolin'. I'll show folks that I'm not
gee-ed and hawed around as easy as
they think for. I'll give 'em somethin'
to talk about all their lives, I'll be
blamed If don't!"
When his uncle first unfolded his
plan Wilson was amused. Later he be-
came alarmed. He argued and remon-
strated in vain '"I'n be quit Of their
foolin', wiI," was all the reply he re-
ceived, and when the stage bore him
away in the afternoon he was pledged
to aid and abet his unhappy relative.
So quickly did he fulfill his pledge
that the week was not yet ended when
Ensign received Scranton daily with
an advertisement heavily marked In
blue pencil. On the margin was scrib-
bled, "Have made inquiries and hear
she is an estimable woman"
The advertisement read:
Wanted.-A position as housekeepcr or
companion. by, a competent woman with
good references. Address 2ol Irving street.
Scranton. Pa
Ensign studied the little paragraph as
he sat at the little table, his feet braced
against the wall beyond. "Housekeep-
er or companion" he unused aloud and
planted his forefnger on the latter
word. 1t had but one meaning for him.
Presently he uncovered the term and
IL L -