Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1861-01-16
'Oh ! all dogs ike me.

companion, who was wonderfully dsconcert-
ed
% that it!' and stopping short. the Wild
ow eoeAy surveyed the comfortable, antique
looking old building. It's fiHe place
much too good for that miserable Petit
what's his name? I wonder if the grounds /
are worth looking at, opening the gate as
she spoke.
i believe they are lie is said to have
bestowed much time and care on them; but |
what if you should meet him. You know
you are tresspassing.
well, what of of it? Haven't told you |
already that | know he is a coward?'
You would be afraid for all that.' !
Not T.
You would-you would rum
'No; he would save me the trouble
You needn't think you look very alarm
ing
! 4 could frighten him, | would compli
! mcnt him on his garden, and ask him home
| to tea. lie wouldn't get over it for a month. /
/ Suppose you try it. | am Mr.. Petit
bones
We'll, will yon come?
why should Il!
4 don't know, I'm sarc, unless to prevent
my talking about you.' ....m...-. .. ..
] You could not say anything worse than
! you have done
1 oh yes [ could l haven't begun yet
i don't believe it. ..
Come home then, ana I'll convince you
Mr.. Pettibones said no more but he mani
| tested no intention of turning back, and stalk
cd along by her side, switching the grass
with his whip as he went. Little Magenta
was in perfect hutter Of excitement. She
fancied she had hooked her fish, but dared
not pull on the line for fear he would yet he
off. So she, too, kept silence till they
reached aunt Keziah's door. Then she called
out ...
'Aunty here's Mr. Pettbones, come to
tea. lie says that he has long been intending
to pay you neighborly visit, and it has
been source of unceasing regret to him,
that age and growing intirmities have kept
him away so long
4 never said anything of the sort, COM
menced the astounded and indignant Petit
bones, but the widow turned ON him sharp
ly.
'How dare you contradict me, sir? when
am lying simply BECAUSE in the abundance
of my charity, desire to redeem your repu-
tation, if it be possible. Yvu onght to have
said it, if you didn't
Shake hands with aunt Keziah,' said his
monitor ste,nly. Since you choose to como
with ne, don't intend being disgraced by
your incvility.
Pettibones obeyed as.meekly, as if he hat
been ten-years Benedick ...-..
'Comc sit down. ordered the imperative
little Magenta; I'm fearfllly hungry. Su
gar in your tea Mr.. Pettibones (? No
more's the pity. You need it, think. Aan
who do you suppose we met just at the turn
ing? No body more or less than that long
tongued Sally Lawrence You should hav
seen her stare. I'll wager thing that i'll
be all over the village before night, that tha
horrid ,musty, crusty old bachelor of Petit
bones was seen walking home with the Wid
sw Magenta
Mr.. Pettibones started violently.
a widow! Are you a widow
Certainly. Why, what are you starin
at? A widow is human, l think and nc
half so bad as poor, sneaking contemptibl
bachelor Widowhood is an accident, bu
old bacherlordom is the consequence of
mans singular unworthiness. lie is S
, much meaner than the rest of his sex, tn;
he has found himself out: and so he goe
through life, never daring to propose to
A pretty girl, because he thinks that she woul
know him as well he does himself, and
course refuse him.
4 you are very polite ma'am.'
e No; am too truthful for that. ha1
read your character thoroughly-for Mr.. NJ
S genta wa, exactly like you. Mercy VIII
; an old brute he was!'
Aunt Keziah was shocked, and exceedin
ly troubled,
J. v" Now, Susie"
s Mr.. Pettibones, rising " Good ,evepin
p ina'am. | didn't come here to be insulted
" Yes you did, too | told you | could S.
c something worse fyou than had done, al
y you came to hear it. You know you die
e only you're such an unreasonable and ca
a frmed Old bachelor that nothing will ST
n you"
IT Mr.. Pettibones stared at her for nome
and then set down and laughed till the tea
d rolled down his cheeks The widow we
le coolly on with her supper.
You're the most audacious, unaccoun
), BILE little woman" commenced Mr.. Pet
4, bones, when he had recovered his speec
n but the woman stopped him short.
r !" hat do you mean by talking to n
1e sir, after pretending to 60. have kept I
Id word, and now have no more time.or brea
to waste on you. Co."
Y, 81 don't want TO-"
is OF course, not. You are contrary,
an you must"
g l haven't finished my supper"
II " You have been long enough about
You must have eaten as much as is good
of you by this time; and I'm princ;pled aga
ID, the over indulgence of ones appetite. G
eS But"
an go, say" And finding she was in e
'e- lest, at last ne went.
At Seems to me you're takin' queer wa,
,e catch him." observed the puzzled Aunt
he ziah drivin' him off just when he gets I'M
ested."
ou That's the very time. He'll come aga
ne he can't help it."
Ard he did. Next Sunday morning {
i'd him at Aunt Keziah's gate, fixed up in S
see style that it was reported his own dog dit
cry know him. The widow met him with no "
Gu pleased face
NV hat are you doing here"
The Il came to go to church with you
NO 81 won't go with you. You don't des'
ciyility and |, for enc, won't waste it
ak you.
Bat supposing I am rcpentant p
Il doubt it. You don't look so"
I" think my actions prove i, since / il
voluntary penance on myself"