Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1878-09-12
BILL AND THE WIDOW

ing, as he sat stirring his coffee
with one hand, and holding a 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 a good joke to get
bachelor Bill Smiley to take wild
ow Watson to Barnum's show
next week 2
'You can't do it Ed. !; he won't
ask her, he's awful shy. Why, he
came by here the other morning
when | was hanging out the clothes,
and he looked over the fence and
spoke, but when | shook out night
gown he blushed like a girl and
went away
4 think | can manage it, said Ed;
but I'll have to lie just a little
But then, it wouldn': be much harm,
under the circumstances, for l know
she likes him, and he don't dis
like her; but just as you say, he's
SO shy. I'll just 60 over to his
place to borrow some bags of him
and if don't bag him before
cjme back, don't kiss me for a week
to come Nell
So saying, Ed. started, and while
he is moving the fields, we will
take look at Billy Smiley.
He WAS rather a good looking
fellow, though his hair and whisk-
ers showed some gray hairs, and he
had got in a set of false teeth
But every one SAID he was a good
old soul, and SO he was. He had
as good hnndred-acre farm as
any in Norwich, and new house
and everything comfortable, and If
he wanted wife, many girl would
have jumped at the chance, like a
rooster on grasshopper.
But Bill was SO bashtul-always
was-and when Susan Sherrybot-
tie, whom he was SO sweet on,
though he never said 'boo' to her,
got married to old Watson, he just
drew in his head like mud-tur:le
into his shell, though since she has
been widow he paid more atten-
ton to his clothes, and had been
very regular in his attendance at
the church the fair widow attended.
But here comes Ed. Wilbur.
Good morning, Mr.. Smiley
Good morning, Mr.. Wilbur
what's the news yonr way Q
'Oh, nothing particular that ]
know of said Ed. !; only Barnum's
show, that everybody is talking
about, and everybody and his ga
are going to. l was over to ole
Sockridcr's last night, and see his
son Gus has got new buggy, ano
was scrubbing up his harness, anc
he's got that whiteataced colt O
his as slick rs seal. [ understand
he thinks of taking widow Watson
to the show. He has been hang
ing around there a good deal late
ly, but I'd Just like 20 cut him ont
| would. Susan is a nice little wo
man, and deserves a better ma,
than that young pnp OF a fellow
though | would not blame her mucl
either if she takes him, for she mus
be dreadful lonesome, and then sht
has to let her farm on shares. am
it isn't halt worked, and no ohe els
seem to have the spunk to speak t,
her. BY jingo, if l was a singh
man, Id show you trick or two.
So saying, Ed. borrowed som
bags and started around the corne
of the barn, where he had left Bil
sweeping, and put his ear to kno
hole and listened, knowing tn
, bachelor had a habit of talking t
himself when anything worried hin
'Confound that young Sockridcr
E said Bill 'what business has h
there, I'D like to know ! got ne,
I buggy, has bel Well, SO have
: : and new harness, too and h
horse can't get sight of mire, an
I've half a mind to-yes, will l.
I'll go this very night aud ask he