The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1878-12-21
A TERRIBLE FIX,
BY EBEN =. BEXFoRD.

u
in my head
know what it is" interrupted her
brother, turning pale. "a knew all abou,
II before came down here"
I'D like TO know how - asked Mrs.
Green, in great surprise. IL never told
any body except John, and I'm sure he
hasn't let it OUT
No, he hasn't" answered Mr. Bangs
But the minute | read your letter felt
what was in the wind. You didn't say in
so many words that you'd got a match
planned out, but | understood it well
enough. Who is it, Selma > Better get
the load of your mind as soon as possible
I'm prepared to know the worst" and Mr..
Bangs heaved sigh of forced resignation.
It's a widow" answered Selma: JUS,
the kind Of woman to suit you, 'Rastus.
| do hope you'll be sensible this time, and
not let your foolish bashfulness spoil your
chances of getting good WIFE
" A widow Mr.. Bangs turned ,riile
paler, and shivered. Tim afraid |
can, stand this siege, Selma came
mighty near knocking under to that old
maid last Summer. but was helped out of
the scrape some way. I've always heard
say that man couldn't hold out long
against widow, if she'd got her mind
really made up to get him
% Don't be fool, 'Rastus," said his sis.
ter, tersely. Maria's too good for You.
and if you know when you're well of,
you'll make sure of her."
Maybe she won't be made sure Of"
said Mr.. Bangs, to whom this conversation
was terribly fascinating.
'Oh, yes, shs will answered Selma.
We talked with her about matters, and |
know she'd have no objections
Good gracious, Selma" exclaimed
Mr. Bangs, perspiring all over, ..you
don't mean to say that you've actually
talked with this woman about my marry
ing her, do you? Why, she'll expect me
to do it, if you have, and if don't, she'll
be having me up for breach Of PROMISE
"Of course she expects you to marry her,
settled the matter. BE a man, 'Rastus.
| wouldn't be afraid of the woman. if [
were in your place
You don't know what you're talking
about said Mr.. Bangs, shaking his head
dolefuly. You're a woman, and can't
be expected to know
II come down and let me introduce
you now sa'd ST.. and she finally On,
him to consent.
- feel like lamb being led to IA.
slaughter" said poor Mr.. Bangs, as he
paused at the parlor door to wipe his face.
y wish | were home az ain, SELMA
a. Don't be such n fool" 'Rastus," re-
peated his sister, by way of encouragement
and then he was dragged over the threshold
and he remembered afterward that some
thing in the shape Of woman rose up. and
said something, after Selma said something.
But what those something's were he never
knew.
When he came to, sufficiently to realize
what was going on about him, he was alone
with the widow. She wasn't bad looking
he had to admit. In fact, he rather
liked the looks of her
Well. the result was, he fell in love with
Mrs. Smith. lie generally fell in love with
the woman Selma selected as proper sub.
lects for matrimony. But this time he
felt so completely done for that he was
sure all his capabilities for falling in love
were exhausted. He would never love
again.
At the end Of 4 week lie felt that his love
had reached its climax, for he picked up
rose she had dropped, and slept with it on
his pillow.
iou poor foil" he said to himself the
next morning, as he stood before the glass
" To think you've get spoohy enough for
that. I'm glad no one knows it, But the
widow is awfully attractive. and don't
see as I'm To blame. IL can't help it,"
One day Selma and Mrs. Smith went out
shopping after tea. As Nj. Bangs was
going through the hall he saw that Mrs.
Smiths room stood PARKWAY open, and an
irresistible impulse TO take just one peep
into it came over him. lie did So Hang
ing over the back of y chair was a crinoline
skirt, and that mysterious article of femi-
uiue apparel fascinated him so much that
he ventured in, and began TO examine it.
Well, now, if that doesn't beat the
Dutch said Mr.. Bangs, holding it up.
:. wonder how I'd look in such thinge
| m going to try it on
Accordingly he got hold of the belt and
proceeded to invest himself in it, after the
manner of putting on trousers.
1T buckles, s'poss,' he said, pulling
the belt together. Yes. there it is
Wouldn't cut fine figure in hoops, y and
Mr.. Bangs danced hornpipe to a rattling
accompaniment of steel wires aud brass
fastenin6s.
The kall-door banged.
GOOD gracious" cried poor Bangs
They've come home
Every hair on his head stood up with
fright. lie grabbed at the belt, but it
wouldn't unbuckle. He heard steps on the
stairs, and woman's voices struck more ter
ror to his guilty soul than the sound Of
Gabriel's trumpet would have done.
He glanced about him. There was no
escape. A closet door stood a little way
open. Into that he crowded himself, hoops
and all, and pulled the door together just
IS Mrs. Smith came in.
He could hear her bustlng abont, taking
off her shawl and bonnet. What il she
were to come to the closet? 1t was alto
gether likely she hung her things there.
lie felt as if he were going to faint. Then
he thought of the ridiculous appearance a
fainting man in hoops would make, and
made up his mind that he wouldn't faint
he'd die first.
"There. She was coming that way
What was to be done? A thousand wild
thoughts flashed through his brain. lie
felt her hand upon the door knob.
"Oh-h, 90 o h. shreked Mrs Smith,
and fled in terror.
Ave got to get out of this before any