Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-04-17

= But before go, have little business mat
ter to touch upon
Then you must wait sir pronounced the
WIDOW, deeisively " 1t is my dinner hour, and
must prepare 1T. Wait and eat with me, and
| then I'll listen
And with this Susan drew out her table,
| spread the snow white cloth, and soon had the
dishes In their places Then she went away to
the Kitchen, and presently the captain heard
the pots and kettles rattling, the meat sputter-
Ing, and brisk culinary racket going on gen
orally.
| "Egad,@ = the old fellow muttered to himself,
| she's splendid craft What q clean build
| II had come across such a woman years ago
belle@ L should have made q fool of my
| self "
In due time the dinner made its appearance
and the captain was invited to partake
| Now. make yourself at home " the widow
said. with charming smile; ''for look upon
| you as one of the dearest friends have
"Egad If she amt beauty Uncle
Jerry said this to himself as he moved up to
the table.
The lamb-chops were done as the captain
had never seen them done before So Juicy,
50 rich, so deiicately spiced-and so splendidiy
cooked. And then the little ct ceteras, and
| the pies, and the cake. and the rich, golden
| coffee. But above all he was entranced by the
bright smiles and the sparkling wit of his fair
| hostess.
| "Zounds' he muttcred, while she was gone
away with the dishes, Saint she charming?
Finally the widow came and sat down by the
| captains side upon the sofa Her dimpled
checks were all aglOw her bright eyes spar
kled with beaming lustre; and over her
| white shoulder flowed a wavy, curling tress,
| which trembled ever and anon, Us though there
were some strange emotion in the bosom be-
meath it.
"Now, SIR" she said, 8 IN ready to listen.
" Well--well," uncle Jerry managed to say,
after prodigious effort at clearing his throat,
you must pardon me if 1 come right to the
point
''Of course"
Then here it is you know promised Bill
that ls-Bil GAr!and-my old mate; or |
should say, my young mate-that l would look
after you-carc for you. You know that"
Yes, sir, returned Susan, with Il grateful
| look. = know that; and have blessed YOU
| NAM times for your Kindness to poor me.
| Alas L don know what should have done,
but for your generous bounty"
Tut, tut-don, t talk 50. How could l help
being good to you -
"Ah, but everyb body don't have hearts like
yours"
The captain rather liked the compliment;
and then 1t came from agreeable source,
too SO he did not dispute it. But he made
another prodgious effort to clear his throat,
and then said
~ have tried to be good to you, Susan and
L hope have been; but can't do all want
to do for you at present. l am coming right
to the point now (AnOther clearing of the
thrOat) You know you are a widow
She did know it,"
beautiful
"Oh, no! Not beautiful; and surely not
csry young"
. But you are rot old, and-you are beauti-
iHI 10 oI
yQ. I-ahem am not so old myself but that
the shaft OF scandal mis sht reach me too
0u old - uttered Susan. looking up re-
provingly and yet admiringly. Why, you
are right In the very prime OF manhood
man at your age, and with your genial, happy
disposition has just reached his full dawn Of
life at five and forty"
Uncle Jerry rather liked this SO be did not
contradict as he had at first a will to do
Then, OF course" he returned applying
the compliment 10 has own purpose, at is still
the more necessary that there should be II new
and nearer relation between us. | love You
too well to have single breath of suspicion
rest upon you. Should you object to such re-
lation -
The widows long lashes dropped, and the
dark tress upon her bosom trembled mOre per-
ceptibly
:. If it is your wish, sir, L should have no op-
position TO make, - she said.
md you ii come and live with me?
Yes"
and Wen be as happy as kings2''
Oh, should be very, very happy" she
| whispered; and as she did so, her head rested
| upon the captains shoulder, and the bright
tress fell upon his hand, with several tear-jew-
| els glttering amid its curls
hat time wen have" Uncle Jerry
cried, winding bis right arm about her plump
form, and drawing her more closely to him
" hen You are Jack = wife, WE'LL
'.JacA - repeated Susan, breaking from his
embrace, and starting to her feet. Jacks
wife she uttered, dashing the tears from her
| eyes.
why, bless me, yes
And have you meant for me to marry
| him -
Lord bless me who should mean
And do you suppose l would marry with q
mere boy Are there not girls enough for the
youngs;erI Sir. you mistake me-you mistake
my heart, you mistake my love, if you think /
could give my heart To your nephew :"
But, blcsS Inc e'-ahem-eh-h- IN t-Juck
is
i know, sir-I know him we'll lie is a ine
youth-a worthy youth, and may be ii noble
man, II he lives long enough. But can saw
no more. | am sorry to disappoint you am
-am-deeply grateful for all your kindness to
me- and will pray TO God for his blessing
| upon you continually. But We had better part
But, Susan! Here. Stop. Bless me -
Susan did not stop, and Uncle Jerry found
| himself alone. He said, 80 Bless my soul :" for
| ty-three times, and then left the house. All
| the way home he muttered to himself; and
when he met Jack at the supper table, he was
moody and silent. When he went up to his
| chamber, he commenced to mu again: and
he kept OH muttering and bordering until he
| fell asleep. Finally he began to dream lie
d;eamed that Susan Garland became his wife
and he held her to his bosom, and wondered
that he could ever have thought of such fool
ish thing as allowing Jack to have her But
while he held her thus, who should appear in
the n0ptial chamber but Bill Garland, pale
and cold. with sea-weed tor hair, and dank,
| green ocean moss for raiment, And the ca
iayerous presence said, . Give me my wife ~
! The dreamer awoke with sharp cry of fear,
and found the sunlight streaming into his room.
lie arose and sat down by the window, a I'd
finally he said, in deep, feryent tone
Thank God, Bill Garland hasn't come
| back.''
For three whole days Uncle Jerry was like n