Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1878-03-15
Bill and the Widow.

"Wife," said Ed. Wilbur one morn
ing, as he sat stirring his coffee with one
h6nd 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 good joke to get
bachelor Bill Smiley TO take Widow
Watson to Barnums show next week ?"
"You can't do it, Ell; 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 ont a nlght-gown he blushed
like girl and went away"
81 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 know she likes
him, and he don't dislike her, but Just
as you say, he's so shy. TIL just go over
to his place to borrow some bags of him,
and if 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 o look
at Billy Smiley.
He was 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 airy
IN Norwich, and new house and every
thing comfortable, and if he wanted q
wife, many girl would have jumped at
the chance, like rooster on a grass
hopper.
But Bill was SO observation-disclosures was
and when Susan Sherrybottle, whom
he was SO sweet on, though he never
said I" boo" to her, got married to old
Watson, he just drew his head in like q
mud-turtle into his shell, and there was
no getting him out again, though since
she had been 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 ?"
"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 o new
buggy, and was scrubbing up his har
ness, and he's got that white-faced col
of his as slick as seal. understand
he thinks of taking Widow Watson t.
the show. He been hanging around
there a good deal of late, but I'd jus
like to cut him out, would. Susan il
nice little woman, and deserves bet
ter man than that young pup of q fellow
though [ would not blame her mucl
either if she takes him, for she must b,
dreadful lonesome, and then she has t.
let her farm out ON shares, and it ism
half worked, and no one else seems t.
have the spunk to speak to her. B,
iingo, il was single man, I'd shov
you trick or two."
So saying, Ed. borrowed some bag
and started around the corner of tn
barn, where he had left Bill sweeping
and put Ills ear to knot hole and lis
tened, knowing the bachelor had habi
of talking to himself when anything
worried him.
"Confound that young Soekrider |!
said Bill /; "what business has he there
I'd like to know2 Got new buggy
has he | Well, SO have /, and ne,
harness, too; and his horse can't ge
sight of mine, and ] declare I've half
mind to--yes, ] will III go this yer
night and ask her to 60 TO the shov
With me, I'll show Ed. Wilbur that