The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1872-05-02

unprotected woman
'Ah, it is indeed CA condolatory sigh
from Tom.)
For one who has been-been other
WISE and the widow buried her face in
cambria handkerchief, 'the-the daily sad
ness of life of--of-I may say, retrospect
-musing in tears and solicitude oyer
over Mr.. Rathburn, never having been
widow yourself, you don't know what a
doleful creature widow is.'
'Ah | know said Tom, quite prepared
in the exuberance of his sympathy to de-
clare himself a widow, or anything else
that might be satisfactory. IF can serve
you here he pressed her hand COM
mand me- :
You remember my deceased husband ?
inquired the lady, TREMENDOUSLY.
do, madame
Now we're coming to it--some ques-
ton of a will, said Tom to himself
Was | q good wife to him
'Ah, madame, he best knew how good
And could-could another love me do
you think p
Think 7 was the exaggerated answer of
the rash Thomas | do not think, but |
know it.
'Oh happiness-dear Tom = and the
widow enclrcled his neck with her plu mp
arms, and hid her blushing face on his
shoulder. Then could you-would you
marry me? It's leap year, you know
Bless my soul Mrs. Moulson, mad anne
you're mad exclaimed Tom, staggering
beneath the weight of his stout and help
less burden.
'Oh no!' she said, leaning still more
heavily; only happy, Tom
But-this is too much itdown there
will you and he bundled the tender crea-
ture unceremoniously into chair i say
you are mad.
say am not, said the lady, positive
Iy- You see Tom -
Don't call ME Toni won't stand it.
Dear me its you that are mad know
Come now, be reasonable. You can t refuse
me, you know, for it's leap year
The deuce can't said Tom defantly
say, you had better get out of this, for
it's carrying Joke IA little too far
Its no joke at all, said the widow, be
oh oh =
'Oh, Tor The Lords sake, do stop! Do
you want to have all the neighbors in here?
Do come TO reason" said Tom imp!or-
inglv."
4 lo-o-o-ve you !! said the lady.
'Oh goodness. said Tom.
You treat me with rudeneSs and con-
tempt-do YOU, sir With rudeuess and
contempt! Oh, very WELL, and the lady
made a summary movement to the door
Very well !!
What snail do? Mrs Mouson, &c
stop one moment. Oh mercy on me . DUu't
you know ma am, that | am already en-
sagel ? "
.'lIa,' cjaculate,! his fair prosecutor
why yes ! sad Tom, catching at spar
Of hope. To Mary Field
'Oh bah ! You'll never marry her after
lallyIng with her so many years III have
YOU vet " and wicked CLEAN shone in her
black eyes.
But the day is all fixed, and it's--it' ;
next month rnd, you see---'
why couldn't you tell ma that at once {?
Fixc!--is it? You declare to that 2
: 'Well-ycs--'
Then see that you stand to it, and she
bounced of. Next month, remember oh
won't tell about you though
] And down the street went Mrs Mercy,
shaking behind her veil with laughter, to
betake herself to Miss Betsy and Miss Nj,
!, nerva, and mpart to tham the grand sue
cess of the opening scene in their little
.tratagem.
There was a moderate intermission, dur.
: ing which our hero tried to compose his
shattered nerves; and then single drop
was given by the knocker
Tom still discomposed, and with 6
;, vague rresentiment that the day was not
yet over for him. went himself to the door,
and beheld Miss Betsy Parkins, dressed W
o in her very best, and smiling with he
blandest expression.
She edged herself in, for Tom seemet
inclined to shut the door uncercmoniously
in her face; and, taking seat, said in he
brightest little manner:
You've a cheerful place here, Mr.
Tom
n Half beguiled by her harmless appear
ic ance, Tom answered that he had.
e, And pretty tidy, considering.
m Yes, Tom liked things tidy.
70 But I'm thinking now, Mr.. Tom, ho,
le much more tidy and cheerful it might be
Il, You've never thought of marrying yet
= eh, now
ve 'Oh yes In fact
es Il thought so. Now then, Mr.. Tom yo
see, I'm a lone kind OF body and sh
On screwed up one eye, and beamed benevt
". lently upon him with the other, "and a
ways had fancy for young folks. An
some one, a sort of motherly, how woul
it do for you and mo to set up together
nd Come now, you had better consider i
so Any way, you wouldn't like to refuse n
n as it's leap year
all "Eh '. said Tom, rather stupeied.
81 why, it being leap-year, a man ism
permitted in law to refuse a woman WI
NO comes trustfully and conhdentially offerir
herself" and she giggled with mingle
m, molesty and glee.
90 % l declare, don't know what YOU 3
mean It's plot, vile, wicked plo