The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-03-28
Bill and the Widow.

Wife" said Ell. 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 il be a good Joke 10 get
bachelor Bill Smiley 10 take Widow
Watson 70 Barnum's show next week -
lyon can't DO It, Ed; he won't ask
her, he's awfU. shy. Why, he came by
here the other morning when | was
hanging ont the clothes. and he looked
over the fence and spoke, but when
/ shook ont a nlght-gown he blushed
ike q girl and went away.
"I think I can manage il, " said Ed. ;
"but III have to lie Just little. But,
then. il wouldn't be much harm under
the circumstances, for l know she likes
him. and he don't dislike her, but Just
as you say, he's so shy. I'll Just go over
TO his place to borrow some bags of him,
and il I don't bag him before / come
back, don't kiss me for week to come,
Nell"
So saving, Ell. started, and while he
Is moving the fields, we will take look
Rt Billy Smiley.
He was a 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 a 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 q girl would have jumped at
the chance, hike 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
Watson, he Just drew his head in like q
mud-turfle 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 p
"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 har-
ness. and he's got that vhite-faced colt
of his as slick as a seal. ! understand
he thinks OF taking Widow Watson 10
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 a 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 10
let her farm out on shares, and ID isn't
half worked, and no one else seems 10
have the spunk 10 speak to her. BY
jfAgo, Il / was q single man, I'd show
you a 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 habit
of talking to himself when anything
worried him.
Confound that young Sockrider I"
said Bill "what business has he there,
I'd like to know? Got a new buggy,
has hei Well, so have /, and a new
harness. too and his horse can't get
siobt of mine. and / declare I've half a
mind to-yes. / will III go this very
4 10 rrn AsaA Ahn chrxu
with me. I'll show Ed. Wilbur that
amt such calf as he thinks / am. if
did let old Watson get the best Of me
in the first placel"
Ed. could scarcely help laughing out
right but he hastily hitched the bags
on his shoulder. aud with low chuekle
at his success, started home TO tell the
news to Nelly and about five O'Clock
that evening they saw Bill go by with
his horse and buggy, on his way to the
widows. He logged along quietly,
thinking of the old singing-school days
and what a pretty girl Susan was then,
and wondering inwardly if he would have
more courage to talk up TO her-until
at distance of about mile from the
house. he came to bridge, he gave 9
tremendous sneeze, and blew his teeth
out of his mouth and clear over the
dashboard, and striking on the plank
they rolled over the side OF the bridge
and dropped into four feet of water.
Words cannot do justice TO poor Bill ol
paint the expression of his face as he sa
there completely dumbfounded at hi
piece of ill-luck. After while he step
ped out of his buggy, and getting dowI
on his hands and knees, looked over int
the water. Yes, there they were. at th'
bottom, with crowd Of little fishes rub
bing their noses against them, and Bill