Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1920-05-25
Some Tall
Thinking"
By SAIDEE e. BALLOON
copyright. 1913. western Newspaper Union,

Copyright 1913. Western Newspaper Union)
What is wrong with you, Hiram?"
l inquired Mrs. Parton as her husband
ficked the TANKS Of the team of horses
he was driving, in vicious sort Of
way that was not natural with his
usually easy going nature.
Nothing that | know Of" respond
ed the farmer. except that am doing
some tall thinking"
They had just been calling upon the
Doane family. and now were passing
two new bungalows in the course of
construction at the corner of the place
nearest To the town.
"A happy. well satisfied family" re-
sumed Hiram retiectively. ''1'wG girls
married-got good husbands-and ours
49," complaining, disappointed, what
seemed TO be half envious intonation
in his speech caused his wife to re-
gard him with censuring Amusement.
why, Hiram Parton :" she ex-
claimed. 1T isn't possible that you
wish 10 get rid of Ruthie and Pearl ="
You know | don't, mother" re-
turned Hiram promptly, but a talk
with NeighbOr Doane set me sort of
casting up things. His daughters are
younger than ours, and yet they are
settled in life 1t has set me thinking
that ours are both Of manageable age
and yet they don't seem to hit 1t.
Young men nowadays are dawdlers.
They hang around and enjoy it, but
not one of the beaux Ruthie and Pearl
have had has come down TO business.
Aren't they spelling the chances of the
girls by not leaving the way clear for
young men really looking for wives?
I'm thinking of the girls, Rachel. I'd
hate to see them left old maids"
Don't let that trouble you" spoke
Mrs. Parton quite tartly. "Prettier,
better behaved girls don't exist ~
well, you and / knew each other
only six months before we got spliced.
Haven't we been happy ever SINGER
Rachel could not demur nor deny.
but remarked: Verne Walters and
rBarry Grey are two fine, sensible
young men. They like our daughters
and the girls know it, and are glad of
II. Give them time, Hiram-you will
have to part with them sooner than
you wish, maybe"
well, DOane gave me few ideas
today" said Hiram. Those fellows
have been coming to the house for
over a year regularly and ought TO
"Yes. and they enjoy it, like all the
young people Who wouldn't? for you
help like all sthe~rest of us to make
them welcome. ] am glad to show real
hospitality and encourage it in the
girls"
Nothing more was said just then,
but when they had reached home and
Hiram was alone in the barn putting
up the horses he nuttered: 'I'll take
Doane'S advice and try some new tao
tics. I'm spelling those young fellows
with two much kindness. They've just
got to declare themselves"
Verne Walters was counting Ruthie
Parton and Barry Grey her sister,
Pearl, according to local gossip, and
had indeed become almost domeSti-
Gated with the Partons. The place had
got to be like home to them and they
and the girls enjoyed every moment
of their harmonious companiOnship
Amid comfort, c0ntentment and gen
elsl understanding as TO what this
would lead TO, the young men allowed
- .l.;f ii, II.
glad of the opportunity to get fully
acquainted with the lovers they intu-
itively Surmised would sooner or later
breach the subject of marriage. The
following Sunday afternoon, on their
way to visit sick friend. Verne and
| Barry drove up TO the Barton farm
house in Il buggy. 1t was raining and
usually Mr.. Parton led their rig to the
| barn, but on this occasion he sat in d
corner of the porch and made nc
move. When, after half an hour, the
| young men departed, he awarded them
| mere nod of the head. Ruthie
| glanced at him reproachfully and
| Pearl was rather frightened at his
unceremonious manner.
He let trOss-grained unfriendly Tige
loose about the time the young meI
| returned and the animal by no means
| gave them a cordial greeting. 1t had
| always been the custom for Mr.. Par
| ton to go down into the cellar about
| eight O'Clock in the evening and bring
up some of his prime cider and chat
| in a gracious way with the visitors
| On the present occasion he steadfast
| ly smoked in solitude and there was
| decided tension in affairs as .the
| young men left early and the girls
| went TO bed feeling that a cloud haC
come over the pleasant home life.
| The ensuing Wednesday evening
| Hiram persevered in the same line OF
tactics. He WIS uncOmmunicatiye he
| turned out the parlor light early ant
the lovers strolled about the garden
by themselves glad to get away from
the glum sullen behavior of their for
| mer genial host.
| Ruthie and Pearl came in half al
hour later looking consciously embar
raised. Their father stole pr6bin:
glanceS at them. Then he uotice'
what he was looking for.
Got q new ring each of you, haven
| you:" he observed and Ruthie bluShet
| and Pearl said:
Yes. father. they are engagement
| rings"
| oh - that so?" piped hlrAm
| cheerily. well, tell the boys wheI
they fix tie wedding day TO pick out ;
site for two bungalows. and I'll foo
the hill" and he winked at Rachel ant
was quite his normal self, and sh'
readily surmiSed that his spell OF Sc
verify was all past and gone.