The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1879-03-29
WINNING THE WIDOW.

cording to etiquette, taken his departure ol
the arrival of Mr.. Bunting,
Don't like to contradict Il lady said MI
Bunting But can't say agree with you
and these foreigners are generally impoStcrs
too"
Mrs. Hunter shook her head coquettishly.
She was rather coqucttish and rather gush
ing for her age.
"Oh. YOU gentlemen! you gentlemen" sh,
said II can't see that you ever do justice Il
each other
And then she rang the bell and ordered thu
servants TO bring tea, and pressed Bachelor
Bunting to stay to partake of it.
There was maiden aunt of so in the house
to play propriety, and allow her the privilege
of having as many bachelors to tea AS She
chose, and Mr.. Bunting forgot his Jealousy
and was once more happy
He was, truth to tell, very much in love with
the widow, who was his junior by nearly fit
teen years
He liked the idea Of her living on the inter
est of her money, too
She was splendid housekcepcr and fine
pianist.
She was popular and good looking.
He intended to offer himself for her accept
ance as soon rs he felt sure that she would not
refuse HIM.
EsBut this dreadful Prof La Fontalnc, with
black eyes AS big AS sauccrs, and long side
whiskers-black also as any ravens wing, had
the decided advantage Of being the widows
Junior
This opportunity to make q fool of herself is
so irresistible to every widow.
1t troubled his dreams good dcal-not that
he thought him handsome.
oh, no
But at 80 a man does not dcsirca rival, how
ever he may despse him
"She did not ask him to stay, and she did
ask me-" said Mr. Bunting, and departed, after
a most delightful evening, during which the
maiden aunt (whO was, at best, as deaf as
post snored sweetly in her chair
But, alas on the very next evening his sky
was overcast
Prof. La Fontane escorted the widow to the
opera
He saw them enter the doors Of the opera
house, and, having followed and secured seat
in a retired portion Of the house, also noticed
that the Professor kept his eyes fixed upon the
ladys face in the most impressive manner dur
ing the whole of the performance, and that
she now and then even returned his glances.
at can't go on" said Mr.. Bunting to him
self 81 can't allow it, She'd regret il all her
life. ! must demonstrate with her No wo
man likes coward. Faint heart never won
fair lady. She'll admire me for speaking out
like man
And that very evening Mr. Bunting trotcd
up to the widows house, full Of a deadly pur
pose, and with Il set speech learned off by
heart.
The speech he forgot as he crossed the
threshold
The purpose abided with him.
There were the usual remarks about the
weather.
The casual chit-chat followed, but the wild |
Ow saw that MIR. Bunting was not AT his ease. |
At last, with the sort of plunge that Il timId
bathcr makes into chilly water. he dashed into
the subject nearest his heart.
"Iie's "A rascal, ma'am, | give you my word"
"Oh, dear! Who 50" cried the widow
THAT frog eater replied the bachelor "Up-
on my soul, speak for your own good. am
interested in your welfare Don't allow his
visits. You don't know thing about him "
"Do YOU alludc to Monsieur La Fontanc?'
asked Mrs. Hunter. solcmnly.
II allude to that fellow said bachelor
Bunting. why his very councnanCc proves
him to be a rascal I'D enjoy kicking him
out so much, u
Sir" said the widow, "if you haven't been
drinking really think you must be mad"
"Ma'amr ~ cried Mr.. Bunting.
"Perhaps, however should take no notice
of such conduct" said Mrs. Hunter. per
haps l.shOud better treat it with silent con
Tempt"
ooh, good gracious cried Bachelor Blunt.
ing; don't treat me with silent contempt. It's
my affection for YOU that urges me on. adore
you! Have me. Acceptmc. Marry me, and
be mine 10 cherish and protect from all auda.
cious FrcnChmen"
The widows heart was melted
She burst into tears. .
"Oh what shall say" she sobbed IL i'm.
.p a fr
am engaged to the Professor; he proposed /
yesterday evening"
Bachelor Bunting had dropped down upon
his knees, while making the offer Now he
got up with sort OF groan-not entirely caus-
ed by disappointed affection, for he had the
rheumatism.
Farewell, false one" he said feeling for
his hat without looking for it, II leave you
forever
He strobe away, banging the door savagely ,
after him
The widow cried and then laughed and
then cried again.
In fact she had genuine fit of what the
maiden aunt called "stericlls" and the cham
bermaid "highstiikes' before she was brought
to, and prevailed ON 10 take a glass of wine
and something hot and comforting in the edi-
Bile line.
After which the thought of her iinccc con
SOirt hcr.
Days passed on.
Bachelor Bunting did not drown himself or
sup cold poison.
The huusemaid informed her friend that
Mrs. Hunter kept steady company
The maiden aunt who had no income of
her OWN, curicd favor by being almost always
in "a state Of apparent coma.
The widow was in the seventh heaven of
bliss, and all went merry as a marriage bell
until one evening, as tfie bctrothcd pair sat be
fore the fire in the polished CRATE, there came
Il ring al the bell, and the girl who answered
II soon looked INTO the paror to announce 10
her mistress the fact that a little girl in the
hall would come in.
"Oh, let her in, said Mrs Hunter I'm
80 fond Of the dear children in the ncighbor.
hood Is one Of them presume" II
But, while she was speaking small, but
very old-looking little glrl in short frock,
with a tambOIlrinp i'm her hand hnun,nd into