Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1872-07-12

Nancy, Sdlu N1r. Olauueu, dS SUE
shut Tom out and came up to the fire,
you're splendiferous cook. A man d
be lucky that got you for wife. Come,
now, don't say no to me this time," leer-
ing at her out of his watery eyes. "Pll
make you a handsome offer; I'll leave you
all my property, if you'll only marry me,
and take care on me the rest of my natter
al life."
''Mr GLADDEN." said Nancy. s'your Of
fer is uncommonly kind, but I couldn't
think of accepting it, I don't believe in
age and youth mating together. gave
you your answer once, and I'm sorry you
wasn't wise enough to take it for an an
swer."
Eyes; but, Nancy
"Oh! yes; l know what you want, Mr..
Gladden-you want your bed warmed, SO
you can g to bed. Old folks must be
tended to !; I'll do it right away. Mother
you just get the liniment and rub his
shoulders for him, and I'll get his bed
ready in jify."
And in whirl of energy that preclud
ed any further remarks on his part, she
sped out of the kitchen, and taking the
warming pan from its place-it was al
ready filed with ice-she fastened to per-
form her willing duty.
In few minutes she returned, saying ::
Now you hurry into bed, Mr.. GLADDEN..
Every things ready, and if you don't make
haste, the sheet'll get cold again"
Quite crestfallen and much against his
will, the old man allowed himself to be
hustled off Nancy retired to her own
room, which Joined his, for the purpose
of putting on her cloak and hood. Mean
while, seeing the candle in the window,
Tom had entered the kitchen to wait for
her.
Nancy put her ear to the partition to
listen She heard Mr.. GLADDEN. get into
bed, and in an instant more heard him
come bouncing out upon the floor with the
exclamation
Jerusalem I'm burnt-I'm burnt to
death"
A moment more and his bedroom door
was opened, and out walked the frantic
figure of the old man, wrapped hastily in
one of the bed blankets. Mrs. Bemis met
him in her night-cap, the picture of alarm
and astonishment.
"What in nater's the matter, Mr.. Glad
den ?"
"Matter? Matter enoughr' growled
he, savagely. THAT there gals been and
made the bed so hot it's burnt me"
Meanwhile Nancy and Tom, having
'snickered" their fill over the joke, had
made good their escape by the back door.
The old man went in and seated himself
by the kitchen fire, while Mrs. Bemis
screamed for Nancy. Failing. for obvious
reasons, to make her hear, she came in,
and endeavored to comfort Mr.. GLADDEN.
by abusing her daughter.
''She pesky critter!' said the affec-
tionate mother. Il shouldn't wonder if
she done it a-purpose. She was mortal
mad because you cum agin to ask her to
have you"
"Of course she done it a-purpose p
burst out the indignant GLADDEN.. but
she needn't hurt herself, I shan't ask her
again. Gals is mean critters, anyway; [
like widders great deal better. I b'lieve
I'd better make you the offer, after all"
Mrs. Bemis beaufed.
''Ef you mean 1t iu right down arncst. u
she said, simpering. I'll say thank'ee,
and glad ye axed me. I'm lone widder,
and lone widders amt no account in this
world"
And Mrs. Bemis shifted behind her
apron.
Whether Mr. GLADDEN. ever found out
that it was ice that had burnt his bed,
do not know. But I do know that be
soon married Mrs. Bemis, the effect OF
whose kind nursing was not to prolong
his days, for he died soon after, leaving
her sole possessor of his wealth. Mrs.
Bemis is dead now, and Tom and Nancy,
with brood of future Presidents inherit
the property"