Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1873-06-13
TIL. WICKED FRENHMAN.

<Oa, shat handsome map y erie,
Mrs Hunter, "and such charming for
eign accent. too"
Mrs. Hunter Was a widow, rich, child
lsss, fair, fat ard forty, ami she made the
remark above recorded, to Mr. Buatin
bachelor, iaborer, who had coma to pay ar
afternoon cali. Apropos of the depar ture o
Professor lie Font'iae. who had, accord
ing t, the laws OF etiquette, taken his de
parture on the arrival of Mr.. Buating:
don like to contradict a lady," said
Mr.. Bunting, 'but | can't say | agree with
You and these foreigners are generally i'm
posters, too :"
Mrs Hunter shook her head coqust,isLly
She was rather eoquettish and rather gush
lug tor her age and size
'Ob, you gentlemen you gentlemen p
she said Il can't see that you ever do jus
fico to each other ;" aad thea she rang the
oeli, and ordered the servant t, serve tea,
and pressed bachelor Bunting to stay to
parsake of it,
Tpere was maiden aunt Of eighty in tie
house to play propristy. and allow her the
privilege Of hsvipg as many bachelors t,
tea as she chose aud Mr. Banting forgot
his Jealousy, and was once more happy.
He was. truth to tell. very mum in love
With the WIDOW, who was bis junior by ten
years. He liked ths idea Of her living on
the interest Of her money too. He iotend-
ed TO offer himself for her acceptance as
soon as he il 1t tn t she would not refuse
him. But this dreadful Professor La Fon-
tslne, with black eyes as biz as saucers, and
long side whiskers, black also as any raw.
en- S wing, asd the advantage Of being the
widow junior. The opportunity to make
a fool Of herself is so irresistibls TO most
widows. 1t troubled bis dreams a good deal
pot that he thought him handsome. oh,
no-but still, at Fl ty nan does net desire
a rival, however he may despise him.
''She did not ask him to stay, and she did
ask me-" said Mr.. Bunting, and departed,
after a most delightful evening, during
which the maiden aunt, who was, at best.
as deaf as a post, snorei sweetly in her
rockng-chsir. But, alas on the yer,
pext evening, his sky was overcast Pro
lessor La Fo. taine took the widow TO the
opera He saw them cutter the doors of the
opera house, and having followed and Sc
cured seat in retired portion of the house,
also noticed that the professor kept his eyes
fixed in the lady's face in tho most impress
sive manner, during the whole performance,
and that she now and then eyen returned
bis glances.
ct can't go on said Mr. Bunting to
himself. Il can't allow it, Saed regret
it all her life. [ must ramonstrate with
her. No woman likes coward. Faint
heart never won fair lady She'll admire
me fer speaking out
Aud that very evening Mr.. Bunting trot-
ted up to the widows house. full Of dad
y purpose, aad with a set speech learned off
by heart The speech he forgot as be
crossed the threshold /; the purpose abitled
with him.
There were the usual remarks about the
weather. The usual chit chat followed, bur
the widow saw that Mr.. Bunting was not at
his ease. At last. with the sort Of plange
that ,imid bather makes into chilly wat r,
be dashed into 'hs su ject yea rs t his hear
He's rascal, Ma4am. give YOU CIV
word "
'.Oh. dear who is 2 Grid the widow
That frog-estsr," replied the bachtlor
Upon my soul, speak for youT own good
: | am interested in your walfare. Don't al,
low bis visits You dent know auy1har
about him."
"Do you alude to Monster L, FoDtsue
asked Mrs. Hunter solem.ly.
: Il aIude to that fellow,' said the bach; .
lor Burting "Why, bis very co .utenance
proves him to be rascal. I-Pj enjoy
kicking him out SO much. L"
Sir said the widow. iii you haven't
been drinking, really think you must be
mad"
| "Ma'am = cried Mr. Bunting. Per
haps should t.eat it with sileut cou.
tempt"
Goa, good gracious y cried bachelor
Bunting. Don't treat me with silent cyn.
! tempt. It's my affecsion for JON that urges
nae en- adore you Have NE. Accept
; me, and b. mine, to cherish and proec,
from all sudacious, frog eating French
, mes.
TIE Widows heart was mel ed. She
burst into tears
Oh, what shall | say = she sobbed >
Il thought merely friend, I-am-I-l
| am engaged to the Professor, be prcpos.
: yesterday evening.
Bachelor Bunting had dropped down up
on his knees while making bis offer. Now
he got up with sort of sroan-uot entire
y caused by disappointed love, for he had
had the .heumatism
Farewell, false one, - be said, feeling 70,
: his hat without looking toward it. Il leave
you forever."
He strobe away, banging the door aftel
him, The widow cried and then laughsd
[, and then cried again. In fact she bad 6
r 6 ,nuine f. of what the maiden aunt calico
steFlcks," and the chambermaid "high
strikes" before she was brought too, spa
prevailed upon te take el.ss Of porter and
something hot and com o. ting in the edible
linz. After which the thought Of her faa
Gee consoed her.
Days passed on. Bachelor Bunting die
net drown himsell er sup Geld poison Th.
wedding day was fixed. The house ma;e
Uniformed her friends that Mrs. Huuter KEEP
steady companv - The ma idan auht wh,