Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-05-28
A PROSECUTED MAN.
BY EBEN E. REXFORD.

MIR. BUABLE-T Timothy Bundle, bach.
eIor, from Spadunk-sat in his room, the
very picture of despair That morning
he had arrived at the mansion of his
newly-married brother, on a visit of a
week or two He had felt some PRESENT.
ment of evil from the time he began to
talk of making the visit; something had
impressed him with vague sense of
danger. As he assembled the steps that
morning he had not dreamed what the
danger consisted in, nor how near, how
very near, it was.
Now he knew.
It's a widow" groaned Mr.. Bundle.
"A vidowl"
Evidently Mr.. Bundle hadn't any par
ticular love for widows.
Here | am, an innocent, unSuspecting
man, y went on Mr.. Bundle, dOlefully.
John, who's put his foot in it by get
ting married, invites me down to see how
much like fools he and his wife can act,
and |, like fool, come down. | hardly
step my foot inside the door before John
tells me that there's some one else com
ing-his dear Belinda's sister, a widow,
and such a nice woman, and | see through
It all in a minute. It's all plot! They've
got me down here for her to marry! Yes,
for her to marry"
Mr. Bundle shIvered at the thought.
lie was in cold sweat all over.
And now she's here" Mr.. Bundle
shook his fist ut something in the corner
Ian imaginary widow, probably; "she's
here, and I'll be prosecuted and pestered
from morning till night. She knows
what John and his wife have got into
their heads, and is willing to help 'em
. IN fhnip inL I - NJ,
Bundle waXed eloquent in his gestures
with his earnestness on the subject, d" [
wish there was a law abolishing widows.
do, | swear do"
Bravo for you, Timn' laughed his
brother John, sticking his head in at the
door I'll tell you how you can begin
the reform and abolish this one. Just
marry her!n And John withdrew, laugh
ing.
Yes, you've made a fool of yourself
by getting married, and want other folks
to, on the principle that misery loves
company" declared Mr. Bundle, blowing
his nose explosively "Of course the
first thing when l go down they'll intro
duce me. Hang it ALL | wish IA staid
to home. 1t does make me out of patience
to see people make such fools Of them
selves"
John came back pretty soon. care
you ready to go down ~ he asked.
Yes, | s'pose So" answered poor Mr..
Bundle, not very graciously. But |
tell you what it is, John, | won't marry
her.
John laughed outright. "You seem to
think that getting married is about the
worst fate man can have happen to him.
| think ii about the best"
. Yes, YOU" exclaimed Mr.. Bundle.
explosively. "Of course you'll say SO
now; but wait-.iust waitr' very solennfv
and with awful impressiveness.
Well, I'll wall" replied John. Come
on, if you're ready"
Mr. Bundle groaned and followed his
brother down like lamb led to the sac
rifice. He began TO tremble before he
reached the parlor door. He remem-
bered, atterward, of seeing something in
the shape of woman rise up as they en-
tered the room, and Of hearing John saw,
!. Mrs. Blake, my brother, TIMOTHY"
And the shape swooned down upon him
like a hawk upon a dove, and for ten
minutes thereafter all was q blank
When he regained his scattered senses
it always served him in the same way
to be introduced to a woman, especially
a widow-she was talking away at an
awful rate. and he was sitting before her
with his hands folded meekly, in becom-
ing resignation. AT first he didn't dare
to look at her; but after his first awe be-
gan to subside he stole a glance or two at
her. The investigation made him trem-
Die. She wasn't one of your cooling, gen
lie widows but one of the strong-minded
class. He felt sure of it. And by-and-by
now, he never knew-she began to talk
Noman's rights
DO think" declared Mrs. Blake,
aging her hand on Mr.. Bundles knee
y way OF emphasis, and causing the
loor man to finch terribly. az do think
nat we poor females have rights which
,ou men are bound to respect" Mrs.
olake looked straight at Mr.. Bundle as