The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-02-16

fallen, "I don't set up 10 be much in
the courtin' line, like the young sparks
hereabouts. You and me amt neither
one Of us chickens, you know, Miss
Fuller; SO we can arrange sensible.like
without any nonsense Of that kind"
arrange what 2" inquired the lady,
flashing her black eyes rather ominous.
ly upon the captain.
"Why, about. our marriage, you
know"
GAS il 1 would have youl'' sho 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 10 arrange for mar.
rying him, Jest as he'd ask to buy q
green goose or a sucking pig for his
Sundays dinneri"
And without another word, the Widow
Fuller aounced into the house, while
the disappointed suitor walked rather
blankly out at the gate.
"They'rea hard set, them vidders, y
he medltated. "Ill give 'em up,
guess, and take single woman. But
won't heya young, slittish one, to be
rampaging about while Tn out o the
way, There's Miss Charity Hobson.
She's good manager, and I guess she'll
do bout as well as any. cIfsl
He had turned in the direction OF
Miss Charity's house, when he remem-
bered Mrs. Fuller's hint about his
clothes. So he went home, put on a gor-
geous lowered yest-kept for State oc-
casions-rubbed a handful Of hogs
lard into his, hair, anointed his boots
with the same, and set forth with
renewed vigor on his wife.hunting ex'
pedition. <
Miss Charity looked up grimly rs he
entered her neat kitchen, and placing
chair for him, herself took another q
the opposite side OF the room.
"You're loolin' uncommon well
Miss Hobson, said the Captain, plant
ing his hands on his knees, and gazing
at her with what he meant to be most
amiable smile-mindful, from his late
experience, that II might be necessary
to do little in the courting line before
popping the question.
hTm pretty well; I thank you,p re-
sponded the lady dryly.
T"And monstrous snug and comfort
able lookin'," resumed the suitor,
glancing round. "But amt you q
little lonesome at times?"
"Not II Tyeg got dog and two cats
them as you SEQ there; and mean TO
hev mookin' bird assoon's Jabez Long
can git one for me. SO I've got no reas.
ons to be lonesome" \"
"But cats and dogs amt human crit.
ters, Miss Hobson," said Captain Til
Ter, insinuatingly.
81 reckon I don't need TO be told
that, Captain. They amt human
creeters, but somethin' better, II any
thing"
"Not equal to a husband, maybe,
Miss Hobson-or babby-"
"a what |" shrieked Miss Charity,
fiercely, glaring over her spectacles.
"0h, nothin' particular. Only I'd
think IL would be q melancholy thing
for q woman 10 be all alone with lot
O. cats and dogs, as she's gettin' on into
the downhill O life, and"-he renem-
bered Mrs. Tyron's expression" and
the valley O. the shadder. Cats and
dogs can't lick away the wrinkles from
her face, nor bring down her gray hairs
with-pleasure TO tho grave"
"Capt'n Tiller," said Miss Hobson,
laying down on her lap the stocking
she was knitting, and looking at him,
with flush on her sallow check
" Capt'n Tiller, I'd like to know, onco
for oil, what you mean?' t so
He saw at once that she wns angry.
He didn't know why-but he felt II in.
cumbent on him to soothe and please
her. So he drew his chair across the
floor, and sat down close beside her.
"Come, now, let's you and me have
friendly understandin' together"
said he, leering coaxingly into her face.
"I'm sure I've got none but the softest
kind O. feelings to'ard you, and l don't
see why you shouldn't recipercate."
And, TO add point to his words, he put
his left arm across the back OF her
chair, and with his right foreanger
touched her delicately and.playfuly in
the ribs. is.3 f y
Miss Charity Hobson bounced from
her seatas II o abomb-shell had exploded
beneath it'll . 4l-o ,f..ts
nGit out O this house, y she shrieked.
"I'll let you know how to come round,
sassing a lone woman, and in her own
house, too Here, Blinker at him !
KetGh him p and with Blinker at his
heels, and Miss Hobson following
wrathfully in his wake, the Innocent
minded Captain Tiller made bis exit
from tho house which he had entered
with such aniiable intentionss q
Very dejectedly he walked home. II
wasn't such an easy thing, after all, to-
get n wife \ and he felt for the present
completely discouraged from any fur
ther attempt in that line. Moodily he
sat down. on the bottom Of atub-he
rarely took chair unless compelled
and he mused upon his adverse fate.
He felt humbled ndfoflorn.
I5ti Please; sir, missis have sent you
some, supper" whined very small
voice behind him and the Captain,
turning, beheld Miss Hester Billings
small servant, bearing in her arms o
very large tea.tray, laden with good
things. There was pitcher Of steam.
ing coffee, plate OF hot buttered
cakes, d nice steak, with onions, and
other good things, all done 10 the point
of perfection. Poor Captain Tiller's
heart warmed at the sight even in the
midst Of his astonishment l illi u
1 You don't mean TO say" he re.
marked to the very small servant