The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1857-11-06
Romance of Real Life-A Story of an Odl
Bachelor,

!
having spent most Of his life in the ield of
Mars knew very little about the camp Of Gu.
pid. lie wns one Of those rough and honest
! spirits often met with in his gallant profess.
ION innocent rs an infant of almost every
thing save high integrity and inlomitnblc
bravery. lie was nearly fifty years old, and
ms Tolls were over when master Dan brought
him acquainted with widow Wa,man. IN
| whose eye hcbcynn to detect souetlin. that
made him feel uneasy. Here was the result
Of lcisur.
At tlensth, however, the blunt honesty of his
disposition rose uprernost among his conilrc-
ting plans, and his cours,: was chosen. At
school he had once studied "Otl,cllos Defence"
To recitc at an exhibition, but made failure ::
he now recollcc,cd there was something in
his defence to iccitc, very much like what he
wanted to say. lie got the book Immediately,
found the passage, clnrlcI on his hat, with II
determined air, and posted Off to he window
ndman's with Shakespeare under his arm.
'Madnmc.' said General Encl. Toby, open
ing his book at the marked place, with the
s"enn;,y ola special p!e,'ier at the bar
Madam-
Rude am III my speech,
And little Llc>sd with the set phrase Of peace :;
For since these arms Of mine had seven years
rith
Till now some nine moons wasted, thcv Lave
used
Their dearest action in the tented field:
And little Of this great world can speak,
More than pertains to fcats of broil aud battle
And therefore,
Here the General closed the book, wipel
his his f"rchead. looked up ut the ceiling, nnl
said with II spasnoIic gasp, II want to get
married Z"
The widow laughed for ten minutes Ivy the
watch before she could utter u syllable. and
then she said, with precious tears of humor
rolling down her good naturcd cheeks "AnI
who is it YOU want to marry, Gen.rAll"
'Iou.' said Uncle Toby flonrishing his
sword arm i'll the air, and assuming military
attitude OF defiance, as if lie expected
sault from the widow immediately.
"Will you kill me if marry your said the
widow, with merry twinkle in her eye
mo ma.!am!' replied Uncle Toby, in n
most Serious and dcprcciu,ing tone as if to
assure her that such an idc, had never enter.
cd his heal
Well then, guess I'll marry You, said
the widow.
"rhank you, ma'am," said Uncle Toby but
one thing am bound to tell you'll wear n
wig |"
The widow started, remained silent mo-
mcnt, and then went into longer, louder anI
mcrrier laugh than she had indulge.l in before
at the end Of whicl, she drew h-r seat nearer tn
General grnvely laid her hand on his head,
gently lifted his wig off and placed it on the
table.
General Enc!r Toby had never known fear
in hot battle, but he now felt decisive incl-
nation to run away. The widow laughed n
gain, as though she never would stop, and the
General was about to lay his Int upon his den
uded head anil bolt, when the facetious lady
placed her hand upon his arm and detained
him. She then deliberately raised her other
hand te her >wn head, with sort Of military
precision, executed rapid manoeuvre with
her five fingers. pulled off her fine glossy
hair. and placing it upon the table by the
side Of the Generals, remained seated with
lulicrous gravity in front Of her accepted low
or, quite bald 7
AS may De expected, Uncle Toby now laugh
cd along with the widow, and they soon grew
80 merry over the affair that the maid servant
Peered through the key hole at the noise, and
saw the old couple dancing jig and boLbing
their bald rates at each othe: like n pair of
Chinese manIurins. So the two very shortly
laid their heads upon the pillow Of mntrimonv
BUMDLEDEE CoTToH.-Townsend s.
Clover Of the Patent Office ut Washing