Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1872-08-29
Vol. XVIII. Whole No. 9l9, No, IS.
Love in q Hornet's Mast.

simon Hurley was an incorrigible old
bachelor, or at least had been one; but
at the romantic age of forty, he deter
mined to seek wife. He had come to
the conclu sion it would be great deal
less expensive to support a'wife than a
hlred housekeeper, and economy was
the great item with him.
Simon had always been regarded as
"a stingy, niggardly, heartless old mi
SER"
When he had at last concluded to
marry, he set about finding a wife
Miss Nancy Benton, the daughter of a
rich old farmer, seemed the most suita-
BILE. She was about thirty industrious,
a good house-keeper, and best of all for
Simon she was saving.
Elmer Tor amusement, or more seri-
Gus designs, Nancy received his ad-
dresses with some favor. The bachelor
would doubtless have succeeded, had it
not been for his stinginess.
Simon knew to win fair lady. he
must dress well: but although he was
compelled to purchase new suit, he
must save them as much as possible.
y carriage or buggy was luxury ne
could not afford. However he owned a
bald-iaced horse, and being quite an
equestrian, 1t was nothing but natural
he should make his visits on horseback.
we have said he was economical: in
tact so close was his disposition, that he
made 1t custom when going a courting'
10 carry his new suit in a bundle, into a
wood short distance from the Squire's
residence, and change his dress.
This plan worked we'll for while;
but at last an accident occurred that
blasted his matromonial hopes forever.
One fine spring morning he paused as
usual IN the grove to change his dress.
Hh dismounted and left Ball to crop the
verdent grass, or browse on the hazels,
and commenced to remove his garments,
soliioquizing all the while:
"A magnificent creature is Miss Nancy
and what saving house keeper she will
make. thought at first she didn't ia
vor my suit, but am now convinced
she regards me as one of the greatest OF
men. She is good looking and besides
the squire is rich old coon Ye gods,
what nice pile for Il fortune hunter il
one should chance to come along. But
| Will make all secure to-day bv popping
the question:
lie had undressed aud tving his
clothes i'll bundle, hid them in a hol-
low tree.
He had just drawn on hi. fine shirt.
when old Badly began to show unmis-
taxable signs OF uneasiness. He reared
and Kicked IN terrified manner.
Unfortunately for both rider and
horse they had paused on II spot which
which wa, occupied by large nest of
hornets
Ball having been left To roam at will,
had uhkhoWih9ly trespas,cd on their
premises, and these little insects are
very jealous OF their rights, and assailed
him Ill furious manner.
w hoa, Ball, shouted Simon; but il
was now evident he could be restrained
no longer. The undressed beau sprang
forward. and sclzlng the rein vauted in
the saddle. Ball was y rlectIv furious
ana started OH with his almost naked
rider, toward the squire's house at full
speed. In vain Simon eudeavored to
hold him; he was unmauageable.
itls SHIRT streaming in the wind Simon
had the notification OF finding himself
at Tile house OF his sweetheart, and. on
horror the ilate being open, his terri
he'd horse bolted III. Roars OF laughter
came from the house at The ludicrous
spectacle. Thc horse was making a cir
cut around the house, and the rider
crying:
Hornets, hornets! don't look thi,
way, Miss Nancy! Whoa, Ball, You old
fool. Whoa, Ball. Hornets, hornets.
TO add to his confusion, he saw Miss
Nancy at one of the windows, stuffing
her handkerchief in her mouth.
After passing three times around the
house the horse leaped the fence and
ran into the woods, then the naked
rider dressed himself and went home.
Simor Hurley was never again known
to pay his addresses to any of the fair
sex. When he felt so inclined. the
thought OF his love in the hornets nest
would ntrudc itself on him, and Danish
therefrom such ideas