Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 191, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 August 1911 — Parker Brothers, I Bachelors [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Parker Brothers, I Bachelors

By SUSANNE GLENN

(Cecanisht, W i, by AModiM Uluur PnaO Wi : 4f>V ,V*j«V. V#.• w'V • v • v P Jason Parker pushed back his chair from the table, and looked about the room critically. “Come to think of it,** he observed •lowly, "things don’t look as they did when mother waa here." "Look pretty well considering hew %nsy we are outside all day,” answered his younger brother William. "That’s Just the point, Will! We re •used to It, and so we don’t notice what a rut we’re getting Into. What we need Is a woman in the house — I've felt it for a long ttme. And It appears to me that, seeing you are the younger and the handsomer of us. It’s your duty to get married. Ever think about it?" "Never," answered William. "Well, I mean what I say. I*ll give you six months to And a wife, and If you do not, I’m blamed If I don’t get married myself!" "Go ahead" said William.. "There are plenty of nice girls to choose from,” continued Jason. "There is Mary Bushnell, neat, pretty, and smart as a steel trap. I guess things would shine with her here!” "When I do get married,” William Interrupted curtly, "I shall choose my own girl!" "Oh, to be sure; I just mentioned her as an example! Tou'd better think over what I say." To his annoyance, William found that he did think! But not of the capable Mary Bushnell. . "I can see what would happen to us If Mary was to come here,’’ he said to himself as he hoed corn in the lower lot that afternoon. "She gave me her opinion the other evening. She believes in modern things and means to have them!’ I guess Jason will have to do the marrying if any la done!" "But,” whispered a persistent voice. "Mary Bushnell isn’t the only girl who would make « good farmer’s Wife. Do you mean to say you intend

to let it girl's white hands, and bright hair that is combed as farm women do not comb theirs, blind you to other charms?" continued the voice, maddeningly. “She has fine clothes and a lively time there in town. The Judge's family trust her, and depend on her as if she belonged to them. What would she care about you and your quiet, old-fashioned home up here among the hills?" William groaned at the impossibility of it How had he come to let a slip*of a girl like Lucy Redding get such a hold on him? *Tve Just got to forget it," he said at last “but I can never marry any other girl!" When William Parker walked, a few days later, into the judge's side porch and rang the euorbell, his heart :beat tumultously. The door opened, and the pretty little maid stood before him. “Oh. Mr. Parker, you have brought more eggs; lunr sorry to tell you we shall not need them.'* The eyes she raised to his filled suddenly with tears. "What is the trouble V asked William in ’his direct manner. The girl .stepped out, closing the door after her. "Sit down," she motioned to a chair. M've just got to talk with someone, and you—have always been so kind." William sat down, dumbly. *Tt really isn’t anything so dreadful." she tried to say cheerfully. "It simply means I am out of a place! The family have gone away for Mrs. Russel's health, and the house Is to be cloeed today." "But there must be plenty of other people who will want you." stammered William. "There are no other houses like this, in this small place, you see.” she explained, smiling at his distress. *T expect to go to work in the factory tomorrow —you know I have my mother to care for." “But that is Impossible." cried Parker. "There is a place I could go to, in the country," she continued, strangely comforted by his interest; "but I cannot leave mother alone." “And you would go T incredulously. “Indeed yes, if I could!” "Then Lucy, will yon—” He paused, confused by his own audacity. Lucy looked at him, and s beaut!

"Can that be true, dear?" he cried, taking her hands. "I thought I waa too rough and plain for you; I never dared drum yon would eare tor *me 'Will yoh marry me today, Lucy, and let me take care of you and your mother?” "Oh, no,” breathed Lucy, "not —today!" “Listen, dear girl. I’rc loved you tor weeks, but I could not bring myself to tell you because I thought there was no hope. I cannot have you in that dreadful factory, child. Come home with me today, and as soon as she can get ready we will come back after your mother." Lucy laughed nervously. "But I never heard of such a thing." she persisted. "Well, you never were married before, were you?” Not until he led his wife Into the pleasant old-fashioned farm house did William Parker consider the condition of his housekeeping. ”1 ought not to have brought you here,” he said contritely, “until I had had things put to rights a little, poor girl!” “But it looks very well considering the time you spent in the house," declared Lucy stoutly. “And what a delightful room!” They went over the house together. “Oh, I love it already," cried the girl. “You’ve no idea how proud I am of these lovely old-fashioned things." “You must fix things to suit yourself," said the husband proudly. "I would not change a thing for the world; it is too dear and homelike as it is!” Jason Parker paused in amazement at the kitehen door; Supper was nearly ready, in the big kitchen that somehow wore a changed aspect. “Come in, Jason, and meet my wife,” called his brother cheerfully: “We thought we’d have supper ready by the time you came up.” Jason walked in. “I —I hope you’ll be very happy,” he managed to 6tammer, before he darted back toward the barn. “He —didn’t like it!” cried Lucy. “Indeed he did —he ■ as only surprised, as well he might be.” declared her husband. "I will go out and see him, dear." “I’ve taken your advice,’’ said William. when he found his brother in the harness room. "I see you have,” answered Jason. “But, great Scott, man, I never thought of your doing it! I was simply trying to break the ice to tell you that Mary and I had decided to get married, Christmas!"

“She Gave Me Her Opinion.”