Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1879-03-11

u
Faint heart never won fair laIv. Shell
admire me for speaking out"
Aud that very evening Mr.. Bunting
rrotted up to the widows house, full Of
a deadly purpose, and with 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 usual chitchat followed, but the
widow saw that Mr.. Bunting was not al
his ease.
At last, with the sort of plunge that a
timid bather makes into chilly water,
he dashed into the subject nearest his
heart.
He's rascal, ma'am, give you my
word"
"Oh, dear! Who isq" cried the wild.
ow.
"That frog eater" replied the baohe-
lor. Upon my soul, speak for your
own good. am interested In your well
fare. Don't allow his visits. You don t
know thing about him y .,-,.
Do you allude to Monsieur La Fon
taine?" asked Mrs. Hunter ssolemnly.
II allude to that fellow said bache-
lor Runting. sWhy, his very counte.
nance proves him to be q rascal, L
I'd enjoy kicking him out 80 much, !
~
"Sir," said the widow, ''if you hav-
emit been drinking, I really think you
must be mad"
"Ma'am ~ cried Mr.. Bunting.
"perhaps, however, l should take no
notice of such conduct" said Mrs. Hun
ter. "Perhaps should treat it with ST.
lent contempt"
"Oh, good graciousv cried bachelor
Bunting; "don't treat me with silent
contempt. It's my affection for you
that urges me on. I adore you! Have
me. Accept ma. Marry me and be
mine to cherish and protect from all au-
dacious Frenchmen."
The widows heart was melted.
She burst into tears.
"Oh, what shall say ?" she sobbed.
II thought you merely friend. lam
!-I-I-I 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 caused by disappointed love
for he had the rheumatism.
Farewell, false one," he said. feel
ing for his hat without looking for it..
II leave you fOrevef.'
He strobe away, banging the door
after him.
The widow cried and then laughed,
and then cried again.
In fact, she had genuine fit of what
the maiden aunt called "stericks,D and
the chambermaid "highstrikes, )" before
she was brought to, and prevailed to
take glass of wine and something hot
and comforting in the edible line.
After which the thought of her fiance
consoled her.
Days passed on.
Bachelor Bunting did not drown him.
self or sup cold poison.
The wedding day was fixed.
The housemaid informed her friend
that Mrs. Hunter "kept steady compa
my"
The maiden aunt, who had no income
of her own, curried favor by being al
most always in stated Of apparent Co
ma. The widow was In the seventh
heaven of bliss, and all went merry as
marriage bell until one evening, as
the betrothed pair sat before the fire in
the polished CRATE, there came ring at
the bell, and the girl who answered it
soon looked into the parlor to announce
the fact that little girl in the hall
would come In.
"Oh, let her in," said Mrs. Hunter.
'I'm so fond of the dear children in the
neighborhood. It's one of them, pre-
sume?"
But while she was speaking, small,
but very old looking little girl in short
frock, with tambourine in her hand,
bounced into the room, and throwing
herself into the Professors arms, with
a stong French accent screamed:
Darling papa, have I then found
you? How glad mama will be! We
thought you dead"
II am not your papa" said the
Frenchman, turning pale "Are you
crazy, my dear little girl ?"
mo, no, no; you are my papa !! cried
the child. ''Do not deny your Estelle.
Does she not know you? All, my
heart, 1t tells me true. Dear mamma
and / have almost starved, but she has
never pledged her wedding ring-never.
She plays the organ, I the tambourine.
We have suffered, but now papa will re-
turn to US. All, heaven !"
"My gracious the morals of furri-
ners. He'd have married missus!n cri-
ed the girl at the door.
"she tells one black lie. Never be-
fore have I seen her; believe me, mad
ame!" screamed the poor Frenchman.
"Ah. mon Dieu. am I dreaming?"
"Oh, Alphonse," cried the widow.
''But there, will be firm. My best
friends warned me of you. Take your
hat-go. Never enter my presence
again. Go with your unfortunate child
your poor, half starved little girl. Go
home to your deserted wife. Col"
'Ah, madame, zese is falsehoOd," !" cri-
ed the unfortunate Frenchman, los
ing his temper in his excitement. "Be.
lief-n
"Out of my house !" cried the widow.
"Peggy, open the door. Go! What an
escape I have had!"
The Professor departed.
Mrs. Hunter threw herself into her
chair and burst into tears.
After awhile she grew more calm, and
taking a letter from a drawer, she
perused it.
"Ah me! what deceivers those men
are ~ she said, as she pensively lay back
on the cushions. "Only to think he
could write letter so full of love, and
prove such william but am warned
in time.n
And she tore the letter into frag
ments.
The maiden aunt, who had not heare
word, demanded an explanation.
Blddy howled it through her cal
trumpet in these words:
1.-The scoundrel has ever SO many
wives and families already, playin'
tambourines for their bread-the ras
call"
And in the midst the door bell rang
and Mr.. Bunting walked in, with 9
polite bow.
Biddy and the aunt slipped out of the
room.
Mr.. Bunting approached the widow
IT called to apologize" he said. VI
was hasty the other day. Had known
the gentleman was dear to you, shoulo
have restrained my speech. wish you
happiness; I I-" :.
'Don't, please" cried the widow
"He's worse than you painted him. I've
found him out, I hate him. AS for me
I can never be happy again."
''Not with your own Bunting!" criet
the bachelor, sitting down beside her.
"I'm afraid not" said the widow.
"Are you sure ?" asked Mr.. Bunting
ktNy1 1,,;to ~ eoiI Mrs Hnnfor