Connecticut western news., 1874-02-20

expected to deny herself everything for sake O clothes and victuais. She must hev somebody to keer for her more than brothers likely to do. It's only na- ture, after all. What'd become O the world if everybody took to leadin' sin gle lives, I'd like to know?"
 "Well, I 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 l" said Mrs. Tyron, putting back the border of her cap and pricking up her ears.
 "You see," resumed he in business like manner, "a man can't do to hum without 8 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, staring into the fire.
 "What celery P
 "Why, wasn't jest calculatin' upon 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 I9, if you'll be Mrs. Captain Seth
 "Stay minute, if you please, Cap in Y 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 answered, slowly and thoughtfully, "I've been considerin' of it while tend in them cookies, and about made up my mind that I needn't be in hurry to marry again. I've had my share of wife's trouble, and feel like takin' little rest to myself now, as I go downward into the valley of the shad der, where we'll all find our ever-lastin' rest"
 Il might, perhaps, help you on the way, you know" said the Captain, argu- mentatively.
 "I'm obliged to you," she respond ed, with sigh, but I'm pretty strong yet, thanks be to goodness and can get along we'll enough without help leastwise. for spell longer"
 "Well," said Captain Filler, slowly rising, eff that's your resolution, I needn't waste no more O your or my valuable time about it, calculate Good mornin', widder P
 "Stay minnit, Capt'in /! Won't you have some cookies and cup O tea afore 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 woman who had actually received and rejected 8 proposal without giving it more than moments thought! "I guess she's too old and worn out, as she says," he cogitated, and I 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 I remem- Der rightly. She's bout thirty. Rather too young for my ideas but s'pose l must put up with it.
 No sooner thought of than acted upon.
 Miss Fuller was in her garden plant ing hollyhock roots. She wore Q founced calico dress and 8 girlish, white apron, elaborately ruf1ied, and looked, as the Captain thought, like 8 taut-rigged schooner under full sail. For an instant his heart misgave him, though he felt reassured by the gracious 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, l see. Fancy gar den truck-eh?"
 "To be sure, Captain I like flowers and other pretty things. Don't you p answered she with sidelong glance of her black eyes.
 "Well, scarcely know" replied the Captain, doubtfully. "To my mind, there's nothin' prettier than"
 "Than what?" urged Miss Fuller, pretending to look unconscious.
 "Than net full O fine herrin' S.. You ought to a seen my last load, all alive an kicking, and squirming and sparkling ike-like-" The Captain was not remarkable for a lively fancy, so he added, "like nothin' but fresh herrin's can squirm and sparkle p
 The widow stopped down, and grub. bed at marigold root.
 T hate herrings," said she.
 "Yes? We'll, now, that's rather un- fortunate. The woman that takes me
 "Who's goin' to take you ?" off," said the Captain, significantly ; den."
 "You don't mean me?"
 We'll, p'raps do mean you"
 Humph p said the widow, with a toss of her sun- bonnet and skort laugh. "Well, I must say this is a queer way to come a-courtin' P
 "Oh," said the suitor, little crest fallen, 'I don't set up to be much in the courtin' line, like the young sparks hereabouts. You and me ain't neither one of us chickens, you know, Miss Fuller; so we can arrange sensible-like without any nonsense of that kind"
 Arrange what P inquired the lady, flashing her black eyes rather ominous- ly upon the captain.
 "Why. about our marriage, you know"
 ''As if I would have you p she burst forth, angrily. "A man that walks into my garden suddenly, in his work-day clothes, and, without even sittin' down, or sayin' word O courtin', for decen- cy's sake, tells me I'm no chicken, and asks me downright to arrange for mar 1 him ioSt ho,d Ao l..,xr o