The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1878-03-14
Bill and the Widow.

"Wife," said Ed. Wilbur one morn
ing, as he sat stirring his coffee with one
hand and holding plum cake on his
knee with the other, and looking across
the table into the bright eyes of his little
wife, wouldn't it be good joke to get
bachelor Bill Smiley to take Widow
Watson to Barnum's show next week ?"
"You can't do it, El.; he won't ask
her, he's awful shy. Why, he came by
here the other morning when I was
hanging out the clothes, and he looked
over the fence and spoke, but when
| shook ont nlght-gown he blushei
like girl and went away"
"I think 1 can manage it," said Ed.
"but I'll have to lie Just little. But,
then, it wouldn't be much harm under
the circumstances, for know she likes
him, and he don't dislike her, but Just
rs you say, he's so shy. I'll just go over
to his place to borrow some bags of him,
and if 1 don't bag him before come
back, don't kiss me for week to come,
Nell"
So saying, Ed. started, and while lie
is moving the fields, we will take look
at Billy Smiley.
He was q rather good looking fellow,
though his hair and whiskers showed
some gray hairs, and he had got in a set
of false teeth. But every one said he
was good old soul, and so he was. He
had as good hundred-acre farm as any
in Norwich, and a new house and every.
thing comfortable, and if he wanted a
wife, many girl would have jumped at
the chance, like rooster on a grass
hopper.
But Bill was so bashful--always was
and when Susan Sherrybottle, whom
he was so sweet on, though he never
said "boo" to her, got married to old
Watson, he Just drew his head in like a
mud-turtle into his shell, and there was
no getting him out again, though since
she had been a widow he paid more
attention to his clothes, and had been
very regular in his attendance at the
the church the fair widow attended.
But here comes Ed. Wilbur.
"Good morning, Mr. Smiley"
"Good morning, Mr.. Wilbur what's
the news your way ?"
ooh, nothing particular that know
Of" said Ed, "only Barnum's show,
that everybody y is talking about, and
everybody and his gal are going to.
was over to old Sockrider's last night,
and see his son Gus has got new
buggy, and was scrubbing mp his har
ness, and he's got that whitehead colt
of his as slick as seal. understand
he thinks OF taking Widow Watson to
the show. He been hanging around
there a good deal of late, but I'd just
like to cut him out, would. Susan is
a nice little woman, and deserves bet
ter man than that young pup of fellow,
though [ would not blame her much
either if she takes him, for she must be
dreadful lonesome, and then she has to
let her farm out on shares, and it isn't
half worked, and no one else seems to
have the spunk to speak to her. BY
lingo, if was single man, I'd show
you 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 lis ear to knot hole and lis
tened, knowing the bachelor had a habit
of talking to himself when anything
worried him.
"Confound that young Sockrider 70
said Bill /; "what business has he there.
I'd like to know? Got a new buggy,
has he u Well, SO have 1, and new
harness, too and his horse can't GET
sight of mine, and I declare I've half a
mind to-yes, will I'll go this very
night and ask her to go to the show
with me. I'll show Ed. Wilbur that /