Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-12-28

the door, Mrs. Tyron appeared in tidy
cap and apron, and with her bare arms
busted with -four, while an appetizing
odor of cookies issued from the COM
Portable kitchen.
At that smell, the visitors heart en-
larged, and his nostrils expanded as
those of war-horse who hears from
affair." the din of the battle.
why, hawks a-mercy! it is you,
Cap'in Tiller? Hope nothin's happen
ed-leastwise sence Nancy's run away
and got married."
"That's Jest it, widder," responded
the captain, gloomily shaking his head.
That's jest THAT is the matter. How
Nancy came to make such a fool of her.
self, when she'd a good home, and
clothes, and vlctuals, and the whole
house to herself when I'm away"
Now, that't what l call onreasona-
bic of you, Cap'in Seth" interrupted
Mrs. Tyron, seriously taking up the
cause of her sex, as she wiped the flour
from her hands, and out of respect to
her visitor sat down to her knitting.
ga woman's woman, and mustn't be
expected to deny herself everything for
the sake o. clothes and victuals. She
must hev somebody to keer for her more
than brothers likely to do. It's only
nature, after all. What'd become o.
the world if everybody took to leadin'
single lives I'd like to know"
"Well, l guess there's some sense in
that, widder," quoth the Captain,
scratching his head under his SOU west
er, ''and / Pm rather rejiced to hear you
express them sentiments, SEM as it'll
likely help us to an agreement on pint
I've come to propose"
"Ab!" said Mrs. Tyrone, putting back
the border of her cap and pricking up
her ears.
"You see," resumed be, in business
like manner, "a man can't do to hum
without a woman to look around and
see arter things. It's their business,
you know. We can't go rubin and
scrubbin' round in the kitchens and
bedrooms. Now, I've heerd from Nam
cy that you're a notable housekeeper
and manager"
''Oh, you want me to keep house for
you, mebbe."
about that" replied the captain,
staring steadfastly into the fire.
what celery?"
"Why, | wasn't just calculatin' upon
a salary. thought we might go into
partnership together, if it's agreeable
I'm plain business man, as you know,
wilder; and all I've got to say is, that
if you'll be Mrs. Captain Seth Tiller-''
''Stay a mint, if you please, Cap'in!''
exclaimed. the lady, hastily jumping
up. Il do believe them cookies is
burning"
He waited patiently while she busted
herself about the oven. Then she came
back, wiping her heated face on her
clean apron, and placidly resumed her
seat and her knitting.
"Well, wilder, what's the agree
ment?" inquired the suitor, thin.
"Why, you see, Captain Tiller," she
answered, slowly and thoughtfully,
Eve been considerin' of it while tend
in them cookies, and l about made up
my mind that l needn't be in hurry
to marry again, I've had my share of
a wife's trouble, and l feel like takin' a
little rest to myself now, as l go down
ward into the valley of the shadder,
where we'll all find our everlastin' rest. -
II might, perhaps, help you ON the
way, you know" said the captain, ar
gumentatively.
I'm obliged to you," she responded,
with sigh, ''but I'm pretty strong
yet, thanks be to goodness! and GIN get
along well enough without help-least-
wise, for spell longer"
well" said Captain Tiller, slowly
rising, IF that's your resolution, ]
needn't waste no more o your or my
valuable time about it, l calculate
Good mornin', widder''
Stay a mint, cap'in. Won't you
have some cookies and a cup o tea
afore you go ?"
"No, thank you, marin. I'm obleeg
ed to you the same. Good mornin' y
And the captain walked home, and
sat down on the three-legged stool, and
gazed into the fire, as before.
The result of this wooing had beer
to him altogether unexpected. Her,
was woman who had actually received
and rejected proposal without giving
it more than a moments thought.
81 guess she's too cd and worn out
as she says" he cOgitated, land mus
look out for younger wilder, who'c
likely not be Inclined to think so hard
of the matter There's Miss Fuller
she as was Melissy Brown, if L remem
Der rightly. She's bout thirty. Rath'
er too young for my ideas; but l s'post
1 must put up with it."
No sooner thought of than acted on
miss" Fuller was in her garden
planting hollyhock roots. She wore {
bounced calico dress and a girlish viii t.
apron, deliberately ruffied, and looked
as the captain thought, ike taut.
rugged schooner under full sail. Fol
an instant his heart misgave him;
though he felt treasured by the gracious
smile with which he was received, as
the young widow furtively adjusted hel
front hair beneath her sun. bonnet, anC
gave the latter itself a coquettish til
on her head.
"Well, Miss Fuller, you're preparin
for spring betimes. I see. Fancy gar
den truck-eh?"
ITO be sure, Captain! I like flowers
and other pretty things. Don't you?'
answered she, with a sidelong glance
of her black eyes.
"Well, l scarcely know" replied tn,
captain, doubtfully. TO my mind
there's nothin' prettier than"
Ethan what?" urged Mrs. Fuller
pretending to look unconscious.
ethan net full O fine herring S
You ought to "a seen my last load, all
alive an kicking, and squirming ant
sparkling ike-like-" the captain wa!
not remarkable for lively fancy, SO he
added-"hke nothin' but fresh herrin' I
can squirm and sparkle!"
The widow stopped down and gTubbe(
at a marigold root.
Il hate herTings," said she.
Eyes? Well, now, that's rather un
fortunate The woman that takes me
must take my herrin's likewise
"Who's g6in' to take you?"
why, hope she amt 50 very fa
off," said the captain, significantly
''leastwise, notoutside this ere garden.
"You don't mean me!"
"Well, p'raps l do mean you"
"Humph!" said the widow, with
toss Of her sum- bonnet, and shor
laugh. "Well, must say that this i
| a queer way to come a-cOurtinI"