The Prescott daily news., 1920-01-05
Some Tall Thinking"
By sAIDEE B. BALcoM
Copyright. 1918. western New.D.psr Union,

inquired Mrs. Parton as. her husband ficked the Hanks of the team of horses he was driving. in a 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 reflectively. Two girls married-got good husbands-and ours -" A complaining. disappointed, what seemed to be half envious intonation in his speech caused his wife to re gard him with censuring amazement.
 'Why, Hiram Partonl' she ex- claimed. Tt isn't possible that you wish to get rid of Ruthie and Pearll"
 You know I don't, mother" re turned Hiram promptly, but talk with Neighbor Doane set me sort of casting up things. His daughters are younger than ours, and yet they are settled in life. It has set me thinking that ours are both of marriageable age and yet they don't seem to hit it. 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 since? Rachel could not demur nor deny, but remarked: Verne Walters and Barry Grey are two fine, sensible young men. They like our daughters and the girls know it, and are glad of 1t. Give them time, Hiram-you will have to part with them sooner. than you wish, maybe"
 "Well, Doane gave me a few ideas today" said Hiram. "Those fellows have been coming to the house for over year regularly and ought to know their minds by this time" "Yes, and they enjoy it, like all the young people. Who wouldn't? for you h1Ix on 4 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 sp the horses he muttered: .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 courting Ruthie Parton and Barry Grey her sister, Pearl, according to local gossip, and had indeed become almost domesti- cated 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, contentment and gen. eral understanding as to what this would lead to, the young men allowed matters to drift, and the girls were glad of the opportunity to get fully acquainted with the lovers they intu- itively surmised would sooner or later broach 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 buggy. It was raining and usually Mir. Parton led their rig to the barn, but on this occasion he sat in a corner of the porch and made no move. When, after half an hour, the young men departed, he awarded them mere nod of the head. Huthie glanced at him responsibility and Pearl was rather frightened at his unceremonious manner.
 He let grained pnfriendly Tige loose about the time the young men returned and the animal by no means gave them cordial greeting. It had always been the custom. for Mir. 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 gracious way with the visitors. On the present occasion he steadfast- Iy smoked in solitude and there was a decided tension in affairs as the young men left early and the girls went to bed feeling that cloud had come over the pleasant home life.