Montgomery County sentinel., 1879-03-21
q gleasaut Story.
WINNING THE WIDOW.

ooh. what handsome man p cried
Mrs. Hunter; land such charming
foreign accent, tool"
Mrs. Hunter was widow rich,
childless, fair and thirty y-fve-and she
made the remark above recorded to Mr..
Bunting, bachelor, who had come to pay
an afternoon call, apropos of the depar-
ture of Prof. La Fontaine, who had, ac-
cording to etiquette, taken his departure
on the arrival of Mr.. Bunting.
Don't like to contradict a lady,"
said Mr.. Bunting. "But l can't say
agree with you; and these foreigners are
generally impostors, too.
Mrs. Hunter shook her hand coquet-
tishly.
She was rather coquettish and rather
gushing for her age.
"Oh, you gentlemen you gentle
men y she said; ~ can't see that you
ever do justice to each other"
And then she rang the bell and or
dered the servants to bring tea, and
pressed batchelor Bunting to stay to
partake Of it.
There was maiden aunt of eighty in
the house, to play propriety. and allow
her the privilege of having as many
bachelors to tea as she choose, 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 fifteen years
He liked the idea of her living on the
interest of her money, too.
She was splendid housekeeper and a
fine pianist.
She was popular and good-looking
He intended to offer himself for her
acceptance as soon as he felt sure that
she would not refuse him.
But this dreadful Professor La Fon-
tainc. with black eyes as big as saucers,
and long side-whiskers-blacl also as
any ravens wing, had the advantage of
being the widow s junior.
This opportunity to make a fool of
herself is so irresistible to every widow.
1t troubled his dreams n good deal
not that he thought him handsome.
Oh, no!
But still at fifty man does not desire
rival, however she may despise him
"She did not ask him to stay. and she
did ask me-" said Mr.. Bunting, and
departed, after most delightful even
ing ,'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.
Professor La Fointaine took the wild
ow to the opera.
He saw them enter the doors of the
opera house, and having followed and
secured seat in retired portion of the
house, also noticed that the Professor
kept his eyes fixed upon the lady's face
in the most impressive manner dnring
the whole of the performance, and that
she now and then even returned his
glances.
ut cant 60 on" said Mr. Bunting to
himself. IL can't allow it. She'd
regret it all her life. must remon-
strate with her. No woman likes n
coward. Faint heart never won n fair
lady. She'll admire me for speaking
out"
And that very evening Mr. Bunting
trotted up to the widows house, full of
deadly purpose, and with a set speech
learned off by heart.
The speech be 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 at
his ease
At last. with the sort Of plunge that
tlmid bather makes into chilly water, he
dashed into the subject nearest his heart.
Hes rascal, ma'am, 1 give you my
word"
"Oh. dear ! Who is?" cried the widow.
"Tbat frog-eater." replied the bacbe-
Tor. Upon my soul. | speak for your
own good. | am interested in your well
fare. Don't allow bis visits. You don't
know a thing about him"
''Do you allude TO Monsieur La Fon-
taino y asked Mrs. Hunter, solemnly.
81 allude 10 that fcllcw," said bachelor
Bunting. "Why, his very couDtenance
proves him 10 be a rascal. It'd enjoy
kicking bin out 20 much, /"