Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-05-13
The Persevering Bachelor.
A CAPITAL STORY OF THE KIND

Mr.. Peter Robinson was q bacheior,
stout, rosy, and almost forty Peter hao
never loved but once, and the adora'ion
Of his heart had been bestowed upon
Miss Lucy Pappleton; but alas {! fe'er
had failed to express his passion al the
proper moment, or, in other words mao
not come to time; and one day hls hear'
was lacerated by receiving an envelope
of cards announcing that the delightful
Lucy was about to become Mrs. jim
merson Crooks.
1t was a terrible blow to Peter, but he
staggered up from it and still loved the
object of his early passion-at Distance
Mrs. Jimmerson Crooks revelled in the
delights of matrimony, leading fashion,
her husband, Peter--ata distance--by
the nose for FIVE years, at the END OF
which time Mr.. Immersion Crooks chose
TO depart for another sphere, leaving
Mrs. Jimmerson alone to mourn bis de-
parture.
Once more Peters heart sprang from
dust TO ashes, and he looked forward to
the time when the allotted period oil
mourning should be over, and he could
pour forth the pent-up agonies OF five
wears, and ask compensation In the mana
Of the fair widow. One year, thought
Peter, is surely enough of time. | will
give her one year. Month after month
rolled away until the 10th came, and Pe-
ter was determined to wait no longer
A sickish misgivns of the evils of delay
drove him to precipitate the asking.
He sought the widow in Der home
and with al! the ardor of long pent
love, poured forth his wishes. The wild
ow heard him, heard him calmly unto
the very last word, and then with her
delicately perfumed handkerchief press
ed 10 her blushing cheeks by the whitest
of hands, told Peter that he was, alas
lust one week too late that she had only
a week before promised her hand to Dr.
Stickleback, who had SO faithfully at
tened 10 her dear Immersion in bis last
hour; oh why did not her dear friend
Peter speak before.
A second time was Peters heart torn
Into minute fragments; second time
was be sent out into the world to admire
at distance. Time passed on, and
once more Peter began to encourage
hope. Perhaps Stickleback might die
he certainly had an appopletic look; and
seure enough Peters hope turned out a
certainty, and DR.. Theodosious Sickle
back was within the short period OF two
years gathered to his fathers, and the
fair widow Stickleback was once more a
mourner. Peter had learned too bitter
ly the dangers Of delay to suffer any CO.
ouette to stand between himself and sue
cess. He would not give the widow a
year, nor yet ten months--nay, not even
six; but then at the third month he
would 90 to her with his tale of love de.
ferred and so be did. We must trans
cribe the widows's own words when thu
question was popped:
"Ohl Mr.. Robinson, why did you no
come before You know my esteem TO
you'll you know that | would set asid
others for you; but oh how can tie
it-that only last evening ] promise
Captain Hawkins. Poor, dear, swe'
Hawkins he's your intimate friend,
know. I've heard him speak highly
you. Why did you not speak before ?
And SO Mrs. Theodosious S icklcba'
was transformed into Mrs. Captain Jon
than Hawkins; and Peter was left on
more to admire at distance.
Still Peter waited and hoped Il
something might turn up, he urged, a
then he would not allow himself to be
late; and something did turn up,
something being nothing more or less tn
the redoubtable Captain, who turned
missing, having been lost overheard fir
the steamboat while on q target exc
sion with bis company, and sunk like
stone, owing, undoubtedly, to the pond
GUS mass of his responsibilities.
The suddenness of this exit, as Pc
argued, must certainly act with depre
ing force on the widow, and he thou
he would not again give her time to
cover and be admired still etiquette
manded that little time should int
vene. Accordingly, when upon tie
day after the melancholy bereavem
Peter knocked at the widows door, b
upon his errand Of love, he rather chu
ed to himself that he was taking time
the forelock. The business upon wi
he come was quietly told, and once n
the widow was in torrent of tears.
"Oh Mr.. Robinson" she exclain
hiding her blushing face in her can't