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About The morning Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1899-1930 | View Entire Issue (March 16, 1907)
THE MORNING ASTOIUAN, AS'IOHIA, OK KG ON. SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 1007. . 'The Mothers' Wooing By ALICE LOUISE LEE Copyright, by Aliie Louise Lee T i HERE ain't a bettor mnnagn in the county than Betsey Anew." said lior uelKhbws and lmmllntelT added, "But may the gcxxl Lord deliver tue from belns managed by her." Those were also her son Bod's sentiments, but Proridence had so far turned a deaf car to Zed. IncUnxl, !t seemed to de lived him still further into her hands after she and Eliza Willet laid tbeit heads together for the fourth time. Mrs. Willet wus invbeuslve an tc the successful outcome of this fourth ioterfamily campaign. Mrs. Ague was hopeful with the iiojw of one wh has unlimited consilience in herself. "But, BeUs." argul Ellxa Willet, "the others wnn't so contrary. 1 can't do nothln' with Atulfcy. Sin won't hear to reason, and Zed ain't l better, Is lie?" Mrs. Agnew clicked her teeth auC ber knitting needles simultaneously. Her tone was ifeoisive. "Elizy AVlllc'. SEB THBEW A BIS CAKE OX HKB 80S f PLATE. . I hain't reached my time of life to set down In peace and have folks say: This time Mii' Willet and Mis' Agnew baa got their hands more'n full. Zed and Atulk will be too much for 'em.' Them's the words that Mis' Lausin" used to Asy Clark. When I have said my little say to Zed things will look different to him." It was one morning In the late winter that Mrs. Agnew said her "little say" ' to ber eon. It was breakfast time, and Betsey stood beside the stove twirling a pancake turner over a smoking grid die, Zed still sat at the table, bolting griddlocakes and listening without appearing to hear. He sat well back In his chair, with his feet gripped around the rear legs. His left elbow rested on the table, his band clutching .the back of hla neck firmly. His fore head was low and his t-bin short Tun nose turned uj suddenly at the end and drew with It the middle of hU upper Up, exposing a cavity which two front teeth would have become. When Zed spoke, which was seldom, fcis words arrived by way of his nose and were not intended to give satisfaction on any subject. The only response he made to his mother's ultimatum was, "Fork me over a few of them cakes, will ye?" Mrs. Agnew, paying no attention, bent over tbe griddle. "It ain't every day that a young man can git a farm of medder land he's been hankerln' after fer years, aud"--here Mrs. Ag new shot a keen glance at her son "that he can't git no other way." "Has the molasses give out?"' was Zed's satisfying response as he glued bis eyes to the bottom of the sirup pitcher. Betsey continued, knowing that her words were not falling on deaf ears. "No, I say, it ain't every day that a young man gits such a farm, with a new house on It, and" here f-he paused and threw a big cake on her son's plate by way of emnhe.sU--''..: deed fer the whole thing on bis wed dln day." Zed unhooked his feet and labori ously arose. He twisted his upper lip gldewlse and looked over the table. "There hain't nothln' more to eat in eight" he remarked tersely, "so I've got to quit." He reached the barn, his eyes roving over the rich flats which stretched, acre on acre, toward the river. These fertile flats might be his. provided he followed the example of his three older brothers and tool; a Willet ,t w!; He kicked tire barn door vindictively. "If one of the others bad only t:nU Atulk I'd be williu'." !i" n'.H:-:',. Later Betsey am! l-:i::'M reported ! each other. Eliza was agitate:?. ":. Atitlky 8omethin' awful!" she i:: :i?'."d. "'' eays she will rrn away t r.:in m ber Aunt Atulk's, n 'I I i ' t ' will!" Atulka possessed n pr:,;.'.y (."'. ' imperceptible bump I" her sIiwHe!- and a very perceptible Inr: ;i In It temper.. Mr. Agnew rocked ami la iUe 1 vx'.u ly at her eniotion.il friend. "How old Is Atulk?" jP r 1K iwenty one, come next September." "Yes," wmnrked Betsey meditatively "under nge. Now, you know that Atulk taaiu't p thing to carry ber to Boston on xeopt her two fini." A relieved expression stole over Eliza's face. She was not one to deal out money freely. "And what's more," coutlmied Hot doy, "she knows her aunt Is dreadful dressy, and she'd cut a pretty figure In Boston without a decent dud to ber back," Betsey finished Impressively, "and you see to It that she dou't linve unless she'll marry Zed!" Mrs. Willet sat bolt upright. "Why, Belts, you don't mean" "Yes, I do," Interrupted Betsey. "It'll fetch her If anything will." And the friends were closeted together In close conversation for au hour longer. The farsightcd Betsey gave Zed a full month In which to think over his pros pects concerning the meadow lauds. Then she forced bliu to a decision. "That man Skluuer was here yester day," she remarked casually, "to see about buylu' the medder lots. I told him I'd let him know In ten days what would be done with them medders. I told him I was tbinkiu of glvln' 'em to my son, but If he didn't want 'em." Blgnll'cantly. "I'd sell 'em to him." Zed's upper lip twitched, and he tok a firmer hold of the nape of bis ueck. but he made no reply until nine and one-half days later. Then he stopjK'd. swill pail in hand, and asked gruilly, "Ma, when you golu' to begin tbnjt there bouse on the medders?" "Just as sooti as the frost Is out of the ground," replied Betsey swiftly, "fer It's got to be used by the last of September." She had won. She hastened to tell Eliza. The latter was pleased, but she looked actually pule. "Ain't my plan with Atulky work In'?" asked Betsey anxiously. Mrs. Willet groaned. "WorklnT' she ejaculated. "It's workln' me to death. Why, that girl keeps, me all of a-trem ble. I don't know where we're comln' out. Last Monday she says, says she, Ma, If I marry Zed I'll have Auot Atulky git me a black silk coat. lined with white satin.' Listen to that, Bet sey Agnew! And I gfce in. Tuesday she come In and says: 'Ma, if I marry Zed you've got to git m a bow of furs. I won't have him without 'em.' Just hoar that. Betts! And I give hi. And yesterday she says: "Ma, I'm goln' j to have one of them long lace fishers. Aunt Atulky says they're all the rage.' And, Betts. I give In. Now, where am I goin to stop glvln' In?" Mrs. Willet applied her handkerchief to her eyes and wept "Yes, yes, Elizy, I know Iff hard," responded Betsey, with the light of victory In her eyes, "but It's worth all that to have our own way where peo ple think ws can't Now I must hurry along and hire the carpenters. By the way," with her band on the doorknob "I'm goln' to send Zed over Sunday night to set up with Atulk." Eliza groaued afresh. "Of course It's got to be done, but it'll mean another silk dress out of me, as likely as not. before she'll set up." Zed "set up" Sunday night with hl prospective bride that Is, he sat In one corner of the large parlor and blinked at the lamp. He held himself down by means of his toes hooked around the hind legs of the straight backed chair on which he sat. - Mrs. Willet, with n face full of anxiety, had received him and Immediately retired and closed the door behind her. A commotion began at once upstairs and down. Zed grin ned appreciatively until the door flew open and Atulka projected herself Into tbe room and, without so much as casting her scornful eyes on Zed, flounced Into a chair In the farther corner, pressed her nose against the window pane, stared fixedly out Into the darkness and chewed gum. Zed sat patiently until the bands of the clock designated the hour specified by Betsey and then took his silent de parture. He nearly fell over Mrs. Wil let, whose ear had been applied to the keyhole in order that she might report progress to Mrs. Agnew the following day. There was no word for her to report, nor was there uutil September, until the house was finished and the wedding day set, until Zed's upper Up had been permanently twisted sidewise in din gust and Atulka bad secured siieh :i trousseau as no one In the county h:nl ever bad before. Then Mrs. Willet had a report to make one Monday morning. It was not much, but It excited and de lighted both mothers. "They talked!" Mrs. Willet ex claimed. "Now the Lord be praised!" cried Bet sey, piously sinking Into a rocking chair. "What'd they say?" Mrs. Willet shook her head. "I couldn't make ou; ;i wu-rt. they talked so lv," "I should like :, kuo'.v." Mild Betsey regretfully, "seein!. It's only two weeks to the wedilin'." "My. ain't I glad it's only two weeks more." murmured Eliza pathetically. "The clothe lh.it Atulky has got out of me! They make folks open their eyes, though, I tell you!" Eliza found a crumb of comfort there. "But I Just feel as if I was comin' o:i to the town." "Weil." relumed Betsey calmly, "I guess that deed I git recorded last week up .to Auburn will tyke a trille more out of me than Atulk's clothes have out of you, and the new house. You ain't the only loser." "I know It, Betts," fretfully, "but I'll be all fired glad when it's over." "I can't help wonderln'," was Bet sey's ambiguous response, "what they said." Unexpectedly Zed enlightened her that very afternoon. Zed bad been doing au unprecedented amount of thlnkinrfor weeks and. aHttlej.la!!- I n!n r. He was proving himself the worthy s;n :' his mo; her, but had Ids mother knowu U she would have been far from plowed. On her movements Zed had kept a wary eye until the pre vious week. Tl'e ('ry Mm. Wlllot and Mrs, Agne-.v !- , , t i Auburn together he, rccllns secure, had brought to pettier pen, luU and paper, hooked his feet around the less of his chair and with perspiring face toilsomely Indited a letter. It was the longest he had ever written and proved to be the most satisfactory. "Ma," said 'iM, coming Into the pun try "ma, me and Atulky want to go to the circus Wednesday at Auburn. You know It's Atulk's birthday, and we waut to celebrate." Betsey was delighted. Mrs. Willet was delighted. They beamed on the world generally and on each particu larly for two days. Eliza early divid ed to "set out, Wednesday" with Betsey In order to finish their arraugetneuts for the wedding. She hurried across the fields Just after Zed aud Atulka had deputed, and the two women planned cakes and creams, salads and cold meats until sundown. The dusk of the shortening Septem ber day was fast approaching when they heard the sound of horses at the front gate. Mrs. Willet arose hastily. "There; that means that Atulky Is to hcune. aud I must go right over." "Why. wait, Elizy, ami I'll have Zed carry you over" Betsey was Inter rupted by a rap at the door. "It ain't Zed. Elizy, Set down again." Betsey opened the door, aud Asa Skinner entered. He was skluuer by name and by nature both, the people of Auburn said, but outwardly he was pleasant to look at as he stood Inside the door, smiling blandly at the the womeu. He coughed slightly against the rim of his tall silk h;. which he held In one gloved hand. "Ladles." he began, with some hesita tion, "I ahem feel It my duty to In form you er-that your children will not bo home er tonight, at least" Mrs. Willet sat down suddenly and hard. "Atulkyf she cried. "Where Is Atulky?" Mr. Skluuer bowed : Eliza's direc tion. "She has Just - : let me see." He drew out bis watch. "Yes, her train is Just now pulling Into Boston." Eliza threw up both bauds aud turn ed pale. "Into Boston," she repeated In a weak voice. "How'd she ever git there?" "By means of a ticket," explained Mr. Skinner gravely and added as If In afterthought to Betsey, "purchased by your son." Betsey suddenly advanced oue step nearer Mr. Skinner. She spoko with heavy emphasis. "My son got It, did he? Just wait till I git a holt of Zed." Mr. Skinner smiled blandly. "I fear, Mrs. Agnew, that you will be obliged to forego that pleasure, as be Is on his way to California." "California!" Betsey's voice was shrill "It can't be true! Zed left tbls house with Just $7 In bis pocket." "He left Auburn.'' replied Mr. Skin ner quickly, "with $7,0(10, the price of his new farm." Betsey's head reeled. She caught the edge of the tattle and sjioke hoarsely. "The farm ain't his until the weddiu' day. I've got the deed" Asa Skinner interrupted sharply: "Your family affairs are nothing to me. madam. The deed of the meadow 1'it.i to your son was entered at the othVe of the registrar aud iveorder last we'!: as sigued, sealed aud delivered. The farm Is now mine. I called to ret th" keys of the house." Ten minutes later two very pale and angry women were junking at eaeh oth er silently, lieisey was the first to speak. "To think." she trw uel. "that I was fool enough to get thM deed recorded!" Eliza wrung her hands. "And there'; Atulk run away without Zed after pes terln' me nigh k de.-.th"- She ended ber se:,nce with a sup pressed scream and sprang to her fee! with the agility of yoitli. She hurried across the fi:dd and la at her bar?: "XiADEEB," HS BEOAJf, WITH HOME HESITA TION. door, closely followed by the breathless and astonished Betsey. Up the stairs went Mrs. Willet aud with trembling hands threw open the door of the guest chamber, where the wedding finery bad been laid. The room was empty. Bilk, chiffon, skirts, veils, gloves, hats, scarfs nnd all the toilet accessories, which for weeks bad been draining Mrs. Wlllet's purse, had all disappeared. Tbe two women gazed at each other and at the empty room by turns. "My stars, l'.etts, how did Vihe ever maiiare It?" wailed Eliza, Immediately adding. "And she's of age todav!" :I " T'Ti m mm CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING. If you havt want that you with to dyorti tep to your noartat phono' nd "Phont It" to Tht Aitorlon.. No nd of waiting your tlmo walking blocks to do a thing that can bo don In your Immodiat surroundings. Call up Main 661) aik for tho want td d paiimtnt which Is at your sorvloa. ay or HELP WANTED. WANTED COMPETENT ill III. To do housework. Call at No. 462 Seventeenth St. GIKL TO DO COOKINQ AND KIT chen work In email family; must aleep home, good wagee. 647 Frank tin avenue. WANTED SALESMEN. MANY MARK $100 to 1150 per mouth. Some even more. Stock clean; frrown on Reser vation, far from old orrhardi, Cah advanced weekly. Cholee of Urrltory. Addrraa Washington Nureery Company. Toppeniab, Washington." 9-2 tf WANTED TWO OOOD BUIWCRIP- Uon tollcltora to work. Ft ret claaa proposition, good par Apply Aetortan office. fob Bxrr FOR RENT TWO FURNISHED housekeeping rooms centrally loca ted. 425 Duane Btr. FOR RENT MODERN HOUSE FOR rent First anJ Bond. t-l-tf FOR RENT SUITE OF FUR nlshed house-keeping rooms,. 677 Exchange street LOST AND FOUND. I.O.ST PET CANARY TURD FROM 227-10 St., Finder please return and recelvo rward. CALL FOR WARRANTS. CALL FOR WARRANTS NOTICE IS Hereby given to all parties holding Clatsop county warrants endorsed pri or to Sept. 1st, 1905, to present samo for payment to county Treasurer's of fice No. 433 Commercial street. In terest ceases after this date. WM. A. SHERMAN Treasurer Clatsop County, Ore. Dated Astoria, Ore., March 7, 1907 3-7-10 t. PROPOSALS. OFFICE OF C. Q. M, VANCOUVER Barracks, Wash., March 1, 1907. Sealed proposals, in triplicate, will be received here until 11 o;clock, a, m., April 1, 1907, for furnishing fuel, fuel oil, dogfood and mineral oil, at posts in this Department for the year end ing June 80, 1908. Information fur nished here or by quartermasters at post U. S. reserves the right to reject or accept any or all proposals, or any part thereof. Envelopes containing proposals should be marked: "Propo sals for at ," addressed Sam. R. Jones, C. Q. M. CANADIAN PACIFIC "EMPRESS" Line of tho Atlantlo Nothing better afloat than our new express steamers, "Empress of Brit ain" and "Empress of Ireland" (14500 tons), Quebec to Liverpool in six days; less than four days at sea. Sunerior accommodations available. Comfort, elegance and safety, bend for lllustreu booklet and sailing list. James F'' alyson, Agent Astoria Ore. First Class Meal 15c Coffee with Pie, Cake or Dough nuts 10 cents. U. S. RESTAURANT 434 Bond Street. AT 9! Micglhti The KM Line JtA Steamer - Lurline Night Boat for Portland and Way Landing's. PASSENGERS. FREIGHT. Leave Astoria dally except Sunday at 7 p.m. Leavee Portland Dally Except Sunday at 7 a. m. Quick Servloe Excellent Meals Good Berth. Landing Astoria Flavel Wharf. Landing Portland Foot Taylor St C. M. FOWLER, Agent. Phone Main 2701. Unprecedented Success of dr. i in THE GREAT CHINESE DOCTOB Who Is known OhroUgut the United Btalea ra aauiuot rr ; his wonderful ouret. Vrt iwiUnm nnr itrtiir iimwI. IT miejren- t to rure catarrh, asthma. Iun and throat trouble, rheumatism, ncrrousnets, dtomach, liver, and kidney, female com- plaint and all chronln dineM. SUCCESSFUL HOME TREATMENT. If you cannot call write for symptom ' biank and circular, incloiing 4 ynU In ntnrnp. THE C GEE WO MEDICINE CO. I 102 Firnt St, Corner Morrison, PORTLAND, OREGON. Hen montlon the A.torlan I 416 BOND ST, -I ASTORIA, OREGON Carriet th Finest Lute of Wines, Liquors and I Cigars I CALL AND SEE US f THE OREGON 530-536 Commercial Street, between Eleventh and Twelfth, ASTORIA, OREGON MRS. M. NOLAN, Proprietress. Rooms Single and Suites. Terms, Day, Week or Month. Steinn Heat, Bath and telephone. Telephone Red 2303. Mais j BUSINESS DIRECTORY COLUMBIA ENGINEERING CO. Offloo A ! or Uoum. . Surveying, Platting, Blueprinting and Qontral Civil Englnoarlng. Prompt Attention Guaranteed. ' A. t. TEE, Manager. 1 rhont Main tU. Wiaj'-ai--JiJi i.'.jj'M'i8a.miuiiiuiiiiMMiMis BOASDIIfO. i TBI LKYDE. j Room with or without boH) rttet reasonable! good mm ! modation for transients, 14th ! and Commercial. JAPANE31 GOOD INEXPENSIVE 1 JAPAJVESS FIXINGS, MADE OF BAM BOO, LIGHT, STSOlfO, IAWD 1 MADE, TABLES, STANDS, CBAHJ, j WHAT-NOT." WA0KCASES.8H1LV. , UfO, ETC. Yokohama Bazaar 1 120 Commercial Bt AitorU. HODS! M0VIB3. FREDKECKHON BROS. -We mak ipedaltj of house tnoTlog, earpeaten, eon tractors, geaoral Jobbing i prompt at tention U U orders. Doner Teata tad Duane. U HOTELS. HOTEL PORTLAND Fine Hotel In the Northwest PORTLAND, ORE. LA 'Tit DRIES. BUTTON 110 LI AT TBI BACK. Your eiperienea with It aaa ao doubt lead to much relation, poailblj pro fenltj. Broke jour flnirnn trying to pry It up from the neck band, ehf Yon wont hare that that eiperie&e if you send your ahfrti to u j we ears yog this trouble, and danger of tearing t Alrt Try us and see, TROY LAU5DBY, Tenth and Duaae Sta. Phone 1991 PROFESSIONAL CARD. OSTEOPATH ItTeX DK. BX0DA C. HICXI OSTEOPATH Office Hansel Bid. Phone Black Mil 171 Commercial Bt, Astoria, Ore. ATTORNEYS AT LAW. ! JOHN C. McCUE. Attornky-at-Law. j DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNBY' Page BoV. Room 37. " HOWARD M. BROWNELL, Attorney -at-Law. Qffl ... M , . ... H j 0m W'th Mr' J; ' ' N, 421 Commercial it, Astoria. !L ijai.J DENTIST. Dr. VAUOIIAN, Dkniist Pyhian Building, Astoria, Oregon. 1 Dr. W. 0. LOGAN DENTI81 Commercial f I , Hhannhan Bnild - - - .-.- .. 1 WINES, LIQUORS AND CIGAtf. THE SAVOY Popular Concert Ball. Good muslo. All are welcome. Bar Se-antk and Aitor. Oct- Eagle Concert Hall 320 Aitor St. The leading arauwment house. Afraney for Edison Phonojrraphi ail Gold Moulded Records. P. A PETERSON, Prop.