The Placer herald., 1873-07-05
,eeu drinking. really think you must be

mad"
"Ma'aml' cried Mr. Bunting.
"Perhaps, hcwever, should take no no.
tics Of such conduct" pursued Mrs. Hunter.
Perhaps should treat it with silent con-
tempt"
"Oh, good graciousl" cried bachelor Bunt-
ing. "Don't treat me with silent contempt.
It's my affection for you that urges me on.
I adore you. Have ma. Accept me. Marry
me and be mine, to cherish and protect from
Ill audacious Frenchmen."
The widows heart was melted. She burst
inaa tears.
"Oh, what shall sayl" she sobbed.
II thought you merely friend. I-am-I
IL am engaged to Professor. He pro-
posed last evening.
Bachelor Bunting had dropped down upon
his knees while making bis offer. Now he
got up with o sort of a groan, not entirely
caused by disappointment for he had the
rheumatism.
Farewell, false one" he said, feeling for
his hat without looking for it. IL leave you
forever"
He strobe away banging the door after
him. The widow cried, then laughed, then
cried again.
In fact, she had a genuine fit Of what the
maiden aunt called 'stericks, before she was
brought to, and prevailed upon to take
glass Of wine and something hot and COM
forting in the edible line. After which the
thought of her fiance consoled her.
Days passed on. Bachelor Bunting did
not drown himself or sup cold poison.
The wedding day was fixed. The house,
maid informed her friends that Mrs. Hunter
kept steady company. The maiden aunt
who had no income of her own, curried fa-
vor by being almost always in state of ap-
parent coma.
The widow was in the seventh Heaven of
bliss. and all went merry as u marriage bell
until one evening as the betrotbed pair sat
by the polished CRATE, there came ring at
the bell, and the girl who answered it soon
looked into the parlor TO announce the fact
that little girl in the hall would come in.
"Oh let her in, said Mrs. Hunter, 81
am SO fond of the dear children in the neigh
borhood. It's one of them presume"
But while she was speaking, a small but
very odd looking little girl in short frock,
with tambourine in her hand bounced into
the room, and throwing herself into the pro-
fessor's arms, with strong French accent,
screamed:
Darling papa, have then found you?
How glad mamma will be! We thought you
dead"
81 am not your papa. Are you crazy,
my dear little girl" said the Frenchman,
turning pale.
"No, no, no; you are my papa, " cried the
child. "Do not deny your Estelle. Does
she not know you? Ah, my heart it tells
me true. Dear mamma and have almost
starved, but she has never pledged her we'd
ding ring, never. She plays the organ and
the tambourine. We have suffered, but
now papa will return to us. All, Heavens"
"My gracious! tie morals of furriners.
He would have married missus!" cried the
girl at the door.
"She tells one black lie. Never before
have seen her; believe ma madame" said
the Frenchman.
ooh, Alphonzo," cried the widow. But
there, will be firm. My best friends warn
ed me of you. Take your hat--go Never
enter my presence again. Go with your un-
fortunate child--your poor, half starved lit
tie M girl-go home to your deserted wife.
"Ah, madame, zeze is falsehoods, cried
the unfortunate Frencbman, losing his Eng
lish in bis excitement. Believe
Out of my house. Peggy open the door.
Col What an escape have had, cried the
widow.
The Professor departed. Mrs. Hunter
threw herself into chair, and burst into
tears. After while she grew more calm,
and taking letter from the drawer perused
it.
"Ah, me! what deceivers these men are"
she said, as she pensively lay back on the
cushions. "Only to think he could write a
letter so full Of love and prove such villain;
time."
And she tore the letter into fragments.
The maiden aunt, who had not heard WORD
demanded an explanation. Biddy howled it
through her ear trumpet in these words:
"The scoundrel has ever 30 many wives
and families already, playing tambourines
for their bread-the rascal!'
And in the midst Of this excitement the
door bell rang and Mr.. Bunting walked in,
with polite bow. Biddy and the maiden
slipped out Of the room. Mr.. Bunting ap-
preached the widow.
Il called to apolgize,' he said. 4 was
hasty the other day. Had l known the
gentleman was dear to you, should have
restrained my speech. l wish you happi-
ness; l.
Don't please, cried the widow. He is
verse than you painted him. I've found
him out. hate him. As for me, l never
can be happy again.
Not with your own Bunting? ? cried the
bachelor, sitting down beside her.
I'm afraid not, said the widow.
Are you sure ? asked Mr.. Bunting.