St. Landry democrat., 1878-04-06
BILL AND THE WIDOW,

"Wife," said Ed. Wilbur one morning,
as he sat stirring his coffee with one
hand, apd holding a plum cake on his
knee with the other, and looking across
the table into the bright eyes of is little
wife, wouldn't it be good joke to get
bachelor Bill Smiley to take widow Wat
son to Barnum's show next week."
"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 I
shook out night-gown he blushed like
a girl and went away"
II think | 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 I know she likes
him, and he don't dislike 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 I don't bag him before I come
back, don't kiss me for 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 COOK looking fellow,
though his hair and whiskers showed
some gray hairs, and he had got in set
of false teeth. But every one said be
was good old soul, and 80 he was. He
had as good hundred-acre farm as any
in Norwich, and new house and every.
thing comfortable, and if he wanted
wife, many girl would have jumped at
the chance, like a rooster on 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 Wat
son, he just drew his head in like mud
turtle into his shell, and there was no
getting him out again, though since she
had been widow he paid more atten@
tion 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 your way?'
"Oh, nothing particular that ] know
Of" said Ed, "only Barnum's show,
that everybody 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 up his harness, and
he's got that white-faced 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 just like to cut him
out, I would. Susan is nice little woman.
and deserves better man than that
young pup of fellow, though I 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 10 have the spunk to speak
to her. By lingo, if / was a 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 his ear to knot hole and lis.
tened, knowing the bachelor had a habit
9f talking to himself when anything
worried him.
"Confound that young sockrider 7"
aid Bill "what business has he there.
I'd like to know got a new buggy,
las he! Well, SO have I, and q new
too; and his horse can't get
light of mine, and declare I've half a
mind to-yes, will! I'll go this very
light and ask her to go to the show with
ne. TIL show Ed. Wilbur that / amt |
uch calf as he thinks I am, if did let
Id Watson get the best of me in the first
'Iacen =
Ed. could scarcely help laughing OUT
ight; but he hastily hitched the bags on
is shoulder, and with a low chuekle at
is success. started home to tell the news
. Nelly and about FIVE O'Clock that
vening they saw Bill go by with his
orse and buggy, on his way to the
'idow's. He logged along quietly,
ninking of the old singing.school days,
nd what pretty girl Susan was then,
nd wondering inwardly if he would
ave more courage to talk up to her
ntil at distance Of about mile from
ae house, he came to a bridge, he gave
tremendous sneeze, and blew his teeth
ut OF his mouth and clear over the I
ashboard, and striking on the plank
ney rolled over the side of the bridge
nd dropped into four feet of water. h
Words cannot do justice to poor Bill ;
paint the expression of his face az
Q sat there completely dumb boundad ,
his piece Of iIl1luck. After
bile ne stepped out of his buvuv .
I'D getting down On bis hands
nd knees, looked over into the
ster. Yes, there they were, at the ,
ottom. with . crowd OF little fishes rub.