The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-06-12
A PROSECUTED MAN.
BY EBEN Z. RExFoRn.

he had arrived at the mansion of his
newly married brother, on a visit of a
week or two. He had felt some presen-
timent of evil from the time he began to
talk OF making the visit, something had
impressed him with a 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'sa widow. groaned Mr.. Bundle,
a widowr
Evidently Mr.. Bumble hadn't any
particular love for widows.
Here am, an innocent, unsuspecting
man. went on Mr.. Bundle, dOlefully.
John, who's put his foot in it by getting
married, invites me down to see how
much like fools he and his wife can act;
and /, like fool, came down. hardly
step my foot inside the door before John
tells me that there's some one else conf
ing-his dear Belinda's sister, 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.
He was in a cold sweat all over.
And now she's heren Mr.. Bundle
shook his fist at something in the corner
an 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
along in their wicknedness. l wish,
Mr.. Bundle waxed eloquent in his ges-
lures with his earnestness on the sub
ject. Il wish there was law abolishing
widows. Il do, I swear do.
Bravo for you, Timp 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' And John withdrew, laugh
| ing.
Yes you've made fool of yourself
by getting married, and want other folks
to, on the principle that misery loves
company declared Mr.. Bundle, blow
ing his nose explosively. 'Of couse the
first thing when go down they'll intro
duce me. Hang it all! l wish I'd staid
at home. 1t does made me out of pa
tience to see people make such fools of
themselves!
John came back pretty soon. Are
you ready to go DOWN. he asked.
Yes, s'pose So answered poor Mr..
Bundle, not very graciously. But, l
tell you what it il, John, won't marry
her.
John laughed outright. 'You seem
to think that getting marriedd is about
the worst fate a man can have happen to
him. I think it about the best
Yes, you,' exclaimed Mr.. Bumble,
explosively. 'Of course you'll say so
now; but wait-just waltz verJ solemn
ly and with awful impressiveness.
We'll, I'll wait replied John. Come
on, if you're ready
Mr.. Bundle groaned and followed his
brother down like lamb led to the sac
rifce He began to tremble before he
reached the parlor door. He remember
ed, afterward, of seeing something in
the shape of woman rise up as they
entered the room, and of hearing John
say, Mrs. Blake, my brother Timothy
And the shape swooped down upon him
like a hawk upon dove, and for ten
minutes thereafter all was a blank.
When he regained his scattered senses
it always served him in the same way
to be introduced to 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 glance or two
at her. The investigation made him
tremble. She wasn't one of your cool
ing, gentle widows, but one of the
strong-minded class. He felt sure of it.
And by and by-how, he never knew
she began to talk woman's rights.
i do think declared Mrs. Blake, lay
ing her hand OH Mr. BUNDLES knee by
way of emphasis, and causing the poor
man to finch terribly, Il do think that
we poor females have rights which you
: men are bound to respect Mrs. Blake
looked straight at Mr. Bundle as she
said this, as if daring him to deny it.
Undoubtedly responded Mr.. Bum
BILE, feebly, feeling that something was
expected of him.
Yes, undoubtedly, repeated Mrs.
Blake. 4 think you are sensible in
making that admission, Mr.. Bumble,
; and like you for it,
, Mr.. Bundle wished he had said that
they had more rights now than they
i knew how to take care of, but he knew
that he hadn't moral courage to say any
> such thing. The widow kept him there
e all the afternoon. 1t was torment to
:, him, but he couldn't get away.
> 'DearP exclaimed the poor man that
: night, in the solitude of his chamber,
n Pm afraid she'll get me cornered up
and marry me-
His sleep was haunted with widows
One leaned down from the headboard tc
pull his hair and one shook her fists at
y him from the footboard, while another
{ leaned over the side of the bed and re
l. quested him, in dulect tones, to kiss her
% That woke Mr.. Bundle up, and not an
other wink of sleep did he get tina
. night.
u 'Oh, Mr.. BumbleP cried the widow a
u breakfast. Belinda says they have tn,
prettiest view from the hill beyond tn,
= meadow, and want to see it. Won
+" you go with me this morning.?
~ Poor Mr.. Bundle consented, becaus
;" he didn't dare to do otherwise.
: I'm in for it, he groaned, as he wen
)" up stairs to get his duster. Il hope sh