Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1854-08-05

The Unclad Horseman.

The Unciad HOrSeman.
Widowers should look out for breakers.
Absalom Nippers was a widower and one
Of the paricularest men in the world.
When his wife was alive he used to dress
as common as field hand, and didn' use
TO take pains with himself at all. Every
body knows how he spruced up about six
weeks after Mrs. Nippers died, and how
he went TO church every Sunday; butpeo-
pie didn't have much confidence IN his
religion, and used to say he went to
church to show his new suit Of mourn
/ ing, and to look at the gals.
With such character among the vim
min, il amt to be supposed he stood any
chance Of getting another Mrs. Nippers
near home; and whether he was as bad to
his first wife as they said he was or not,
one thing was certain, he had TO go abroad
for one to fill her place.
Mr.. Nippers was very lucky to find a
gal just to his mind that lived about ten
miles from his place.
Nancy Parker was rich, though she was
not very young or handsome; she belong
ed to Mr.. Nipper's church, and suited his
eye exactly, SO he set to courun' her with
all his might.
Ten miles was a good long ride, and he |
was an economical man, and used 10 ride |
over to Mr.. Parker's plantation every
Sunday morning to go to church with the
family, take dinner with them, and ride
back in the cool of the evening.
A ride over a dusty road is apt to spoil
a mans dry goods, and make him and his
horse very rired. However, Mr.. Nippers
dldn't mind the fatigue as much as his
horse, but in a matter such as he had on
hand it was important that he should make
as good an impression as possible, so lie
adopted plan by which he could present ;
himself before the object of his affections /
in order, with his Sunday coat as clean, {
and his blooming ruflles as fresh and as
neat as if they had just come out Of a band
box. \
This was happy expedicnt, and no. a
body but widower lover would think Of a
t. tie used to start from home with his p
new coat and shirt ti,d up in pocket v
handkerchief, and after riding within n
quarter OF mile of Mr.. Parker's pianta- "
ion he would turn off into ihicket of c
pushes and there make his toilet. s.
One bright Sunday morning Mr.. Mn a
'ers had arrived at his dressing ground. s
was an important occasion. Every fl
hing was promising, and he had made up HI
is mind 10 pop the question that day. n,
here was no doubt in his mind but tha. III
e would return home an engaged man; tn
nd he vas reckoning over TO himself the ri
aiue OF Miss Nancy's plantation and ne @
roes, while he was sitting on his horse, de
!akmg his accustomed change of dress. al
lie had dropped the reins on his horses til
eck' while II was browsing about, max tn
g up his last nights scanty feed from pc
e bushes in his reach, and kicking and la,
amplng at such flies as were feeding on de
IN in return. of
"Ill fix the business this lme," said frc
r. NIPPers 10 himself, "I'll bring things w;
point this time, and he united his Al
ce clean clothes, and spread them on his wi
ddle bow. sb
"Wo, Ball." said he--"Tve lust cot TO m,
y the word and-wo ~ saws he to his ,da
rise, which was rearing and kicking a. tea
ut him. "Wo, you old fool--and the
siness is settled just like falling off pe
g." INC
He was drawing his shirt over his head bid
len Ball gave sudden spring which wh
ry near made him lose his balance. lha
No." SAID he, but before he could get VIII
arm out of his sleeves Ball was whee- me
9 and kicking like wrath at something anC
II seemed to trouble him amazingly. scy
Down went the clean clothes, shirt and mo
, on the ground. "Wo ~ blast your or
.tures--wo ~ says he, grabbing at the
rs. But before he could get hold of An
IN, Ball was of like streak of light uDc
g, with whole swarm of fyeIlow iac- erir
: around his tail, pinching him like of I
nher. sb3
Nippers grabbed hold of the name, and REQ