The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-03-17

single lives, lo IKE TO KNOW"
Well, guess there's some sense in
that, widder," quoth the Captain, scratch
ing his head under his SOU weston, "and
I'm rather rejiced to hear you express
them sentiments seein' as it'll likely help
us to an agreement on pint I've come to
propose"
"Ah !" said Mrs. Tyron, putting back
the border of her cap and pricking up her
ears.
"You see," resumed he in business
like manner, ga man can't do to hum
without woman to look around and see
arter things. It's their business, you
know We can't go rubbin' and scrubbin'
round in the kitchens and bedrooms.
Now, I've heerd from Nancy that you're
notable manager and housekeeper."
"Oh, you want me to keep house for
you, mebbe."
"About that" replied the Captain star
ing into the fire.
What celery?"
"Why, wasn't jest calculatin' upon
salary l thought we might go into part
nership together, if its agreeable. I'm
plain business man, as you know widder
and all I've got to say is that if you'll be
Mrs. Captain Seth Tiller-"
Stay a minute, if you please, Cap'in %
exclaimed the lady, hastily jumping up.
81 do believe those cookies is burning p
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, widder, what about the agree
ment ?" inquired her suitor then.
Why, you see, Cap'in Tiller," she an
swered, slowly and thoughtfully, GIVE
been considerin' of it while tendin' them
cookies, and 1 about made up my mind
that needn't be in a hurry to marry again.
GIVE had my share of wife's trouble, and
| feel like takin' little rest to myself now,
as l go downward into the valley of the
shadder, where Wen all find our ever-lastin'
rest"
l might, perhaps, help you on the way,
you know" said the Captain argumenta-
lively.
"I'm obliged to you," she responded,
with sigh, "but I'm pretty strong yet,
thanks be togoodness and can get along
well enough without help-eastwise, for a
spell longer"
"Well," said Captain Tiller, slowly rs-
ing, elf that's your resolution, needn't
waste no more o. your or my valuable
time about it, calculate. Good mornn',
wdder p
"Stay minute, Captain won't you
you go?"
"No, thank you, marm. I'm obleeged
to you the same. Good mornin'."
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 been to
him altogether unexpected. Here was a
woman who had actually received and re-
jected a proposal without giving it more
than moments thought %
/ guess she's too old and worn out as
she says" he cogitated, "and must look
out for younger widder who'd likely not
be inclined to think so hard of the matter.
There's Miss Fuller-she as was Melissy
Brown, if / remember rightly. She's
bout thirty. Rather too young for my
ideas but s'pose must put up with it."
No sooner thought of than acted upon.
Miss Fuller was in her garden planting
hollyhock roots. She wore houred calico
dress, and girlish, white apron, elabo-
rately ruffled, and looked, as the Captain
thought, like taut-rigged schooner under
full sail For an instant his heart misgave
him, though he felt reassured by the gra-
cious smile with which he was received, as
the young widow furtively adjusted her
front hair beneath her sun-bonnet, and
gave the latter itself coquettish tilt on
her head.
"Well, Miss Fuller, you're preparin' for
spring betimes, see. Fancy garden truck
-eh P''
"To be sure, Captain like flowers and
other pretty things. Don't youP" answer
ed she with a sidelong glance of her black
eyes.
"Well, / scarcely know" replied the
Captain, doubtfully. "To my mind,
there's nothin' prettier than"
ethan what P' urged Miss Fuller pre-
tending to look unconscious.
ethan net full o. fine herrin's. You
ought to "a seen my last load, all alive an