National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1874-02-13
those OF war-horse who hears from
ofor Tho din of the battle.

aiar the din OF the battle.
"Why, lawks a.mercy is it you
Capin Tiller ?" Hope nothin's hap
pened-leastwise sence Nancy's rul
away and got married.
"That's jest it, widder," responded
the Captain, gloomily shaking his head
"That's jest what is the matter. How
Nancy came to make such fool OF her
self, when she'd good home, ant
clothes, and victuals, and the whole
house to herself when I'm away"
"Now, that's what / call onreasona
BILE of you, Cap'in Seth," interrupted
Mrs. Tyron, seriously taking up the
cause OF her sex, as she wiped the foul
from her hands, and out of respect tc
her visitor sat down to her knitting,
"a woman's woman, and mustn't be
expected To deny herself everything fol
sake O. clothes and victuals. She must
hev somebody to keer for her more than
brothers likely to do. It's only ma
ture, after all. What'd become O. the
world if everybody took to leadin' sin
gle lives, I'd like.to knowp"
"Well, 1 guess there's some sense in
that, widder," quoth the Captain,
scratching his head under his SOU
wester, "and I'm rather rejiced to hear
you express them sentiments, seein' as
it'll likely help us to an agreement on a
pint I've come to propose"
"Ah I" 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 q 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 a notable manager
and housekeeper.
"Oh, you want me to keep house for
you, mebbe.
"About that" replied the Captain,
staring into the fire.
"What celery ?"
"Why, I wasn't Jest calculatin' upon
a salary. thought we might go into
partnership together, if it's 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 minute, if you please, Cap
in |" exclaimed the lady, hastily jump
ing up. "I do believe those 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, widder, what the agreement"
inquired the suitor then.
Why, you see, Cap'in Tiller." she
slowly and thoughtfully, |
' I've been considerin' of it while tend
in them cookies, and about made up
nv mind that needn't be in hurry |
70 marry again. I've had my share of
. wife's trouble, and I feel like takin'
, little rest to myself now, as I 60
downward into the valley of the shad.
Ter, where we'll all find our ever-lastin'
rest."
"I might, perhaps, help you on the
way, you know" said the Captain, argu-
"I'm obliged to you," she respond
ID, with sigh, " but I'm pretty strong
yet, thanks be to goodness and can
yet along we'll enough without help
eastwise, for spell longer"
"Well," said Captain Tiller, slowly
Using, off that's your resolution, I
Needn't waste no more O. your or my
time about it, 1 calculate.
Good mornin', widder !!
"Stay minnit, Capt'in Won't you
lave some cookies and cup O. tea
lfore you go?'
"No, thank you, marm. I'm obleeged
% you the same. Good mornin'."
And the Captain walked home, and
'at down on the three-legged stool, and
,azed into the fire, as before.
The result of this wooing had been
% him altogether unexpected. Here
vas woman who had actually received
md rejected proposal without giving
t more than moments thought
II guess she's too old and worn out,
IS she says" he cogitated, "and must
ook out for younger widder, who'd
likely not be inclined to think so hard
# the matter. There's Miss Fuller
he as was Melissy Brown, if remem-
,er rightly. She's bout thirty. Rather
90 young for my ideas but I s'pose I
must put up with it,"
No sooner thought of than acted
lpon.
Miss Fuller was in her garden plant
ng hollyhock roots. She wore q
lounced calico dress and q girlish,
White apron, elaborately ruffled, and
ooked, as the Captain thought, like
schooner under full sail.
Tor an instant his heart misgave him,
hough he felt reassured by the gracious
mile with which he was received. as
he young widow furtively adjusted her
ront hair beneath her sun-bonnet, and
ave the latter itself a coquettish tilt
N her head.
"Well, Miss Fuller, you're preparin'
or spring betimes, see. Fancy gar
len truck-eh?"
"To be sure, Captain like flowers
nd other pretty things. Don't your"
she with a sidelong glance of
ler black eyes.
"Well, I scarcely know" replied the
Japtain, doubtfully. "To my mind,
here's nothin' prettier than"
ethan what?" urged Miss Fuller,
to look unconscious.
you ought to a seen my last load, all
live an kicking, and squirming and
parking like-like-" The Captain
7as not remarkable for lively fancy,
o he added, "like nothin' but fresh
lerrin's can squirm and sparkle !"
The widow stopped down, and grub.
'ed at marigold root.
Il hate herrings," said she.
eyes? Well, now, that's rather un-
ortunate. The woman that takes me
nust take my herrin's likewise"
Who's goin' to take your"