The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-08-18
Bashful Bill and the Widow

coffee with one hand and holding plum
cake on his knee with the other, and look
ing across the table into the bright eyes of
his neat little wife, "wouldn't it be good
joke to get Bachelor Bill Smiley to take
Widow Watson to Robinson's show next
week? ?r
"You can't do it, Ed; he won't ask
her, he's so awful shy. Why he came by
here the other morning when l was hang
ing out some clothes, and he looked over
the fence and spoke, but when shook out
a night gown he blushed like girl and
went away"
"I think can manage it,, said Ed. :;
" but I'll have to lie just little. But then
it wouldn't be much harm under the cir
cumstances, for know she likes him and
he don't dislike her but as you say, he's
shy. I'll just go over to his place to bor-
row some bags of him, and if don't bag
him before come back, don't kiss me for
a week, Nelly"
SO saying Ed. started, and while he is
moving the fields we take look at Bill
Smiley. He was rather good-looking
fellow, though his hair and whiskers show
ed some grey hairs, and he had got in set
of artificial teeth. But every one said he
was good soul and so he was. He had
as good hundred acre farm as any in
Norwich, with new house and everything
comfortable, and if he wanted wife, many
girl would have jumped at the chance
like a rooster at a grasshopper. Bill was so
bashful-always was - and when Susan
Berrybottle, that he was sweet on Though
he never said "boo' to herr got married
to old Watson he just drew his head, like a
mud turtle, into his she'll, and there was no
| getting him out again, though it had been
noticed that since Susan had become a
widow he had paid more attention to his
clothes and had been very regular in his
attendance at the church that the fair wild
ow attended.
"But here comes Ed. Wilbur"
"Good morning, Mr.. Smileyr'
"Good morning, Mr.. Wilbur. What's
the news your way ?"
"Oh, nothing particular, that I know
Of" said Ed. "only Robinson's show that
everybody and his girl is going to. was
over to old Sackrider's last night, and / see
his son Gus has got new buggy and was
scrubbing up his harness, and he's got that
white faced colt of his slick as seal. I
understand he thinks of taking the Widow
Watson to the show. He's been hanging
round a good deal of late, but I'd just like
to cut him out, would Susan is nice
little woman and deserves a better man
than that young pup of fellow, though /
wouldn't blame her much either if she
takes him, for she must be dreadful lone
some, and then she has to let her farm out
on shares and it isn't half worked, and no
one else seems to have spunk enough to
speak up to her. By lingo If were a
single man I'd show him a trick or two.
So saying, Ed. borrowed some bags and
started around the corner of the barn,
where he had left bill sweeping, and put
his ear to knot hole and listened, know
ing that the bachelor had habit of talk
ing to himself when anything worried him,
"Confound that young Bagrider p' said
Bill, "what business has he, then, I'd like
to know? Got new buggy, has he? Well,
SO have /, and got new harness, too; and
his horse can't come in sight Of mine and
I declare I've half mind to--yes, 1 will
I'll go this very night and ask her to go tc
the show with me. I'll show Ed. Wilbur
that I amt such calf as he thinks am,
if did let old Watson get the start of me
in the first place p'
Ed. could scarce help laughing outright
but he hastily hitched the bags on hi
shoulder, and with low chuckle at hi
) success, started home to tell the news Il
Nelly; and about five o'clock that evening
they saw Bill go by with his horse anC
buggy on his way to the widows. He jog
ged along quietly thinking Of the old sing
ing school days--and what pretty gir
Susan was then-and wondering inwardly
if he would have more courage now to tall
to her, until at distance of about mile
from her house he came to bridge-ovel
large creek--and it SO happened that JUS
as he reached the middle of the bridge HI
gave tremendous sneeze, and blew hi
teeth out Of his mouth, and clear over the
dashboard, striking on the planks they roll
ed over the side of the bridge and dropped
into four feet of water.
Words cannot do justice to poor Bill, o.
paint the expression of his face as he sa
there-completely dumbfounded at thi
j startling piece of i'll luck After n Will,