The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1879-03-20
Winning The Widow

"Oh, what a handsome man !" cried
Mrs. Hunter; "and such a charming
foreign accent, tool"
Mrs. Hunter was widOw-rich,
childless, fair and thirty -five-and she
made the remark above recorded to Mr..
Bunting, bachelor, who had come to
pay an afternoon call, aprOpos of the
departure of Prof. La Fontaine, who
had, according to etiquette, taken
his departure on the arrival of Mr..
Bunting.
Don't like to contradict lady,"
said Mr.. Bunting. but can't say
agree with you; and these foreigners
are generally impostors, too"
Mrs. Hunter shook her head coquet-
tishly.
She was rather cequettish and rather
gushing for her age.
"Oh, you gentlemen you gentle
men" !" she said; 81 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
E junior by fifteen years
He liked she idea of her living on the
interest of her money, too.
She was splendid housekeeper and
IA 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-
taine, with black eyes as big as saucers,
and long siGe-whiskers-black also as
any ravens ~ ing, had the advantage
of being the Wi lows junior.
This opportu ty to make fool of
herself is so rrosI,'ible to every widow.
1t troubled his Ireams good deal
not that he thought him handsome.
Oh, no!
But still at fifty man does not desire
a rival, however may despise him.
"She did not ask him to stay, and she
hid ask me-" said Mr.. Bunting, and
departed, after most delightful even
ng, during which the maiden aunt
who was, at best, as deaf as a post)
nored swcetly 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 a seat in retired portion of
the house, also noticed that the Profess
sor kept his eyes fixed upon the lady's
face in the most impressive manner
during the whole of the performance,
and that she now and then even return
ed his glances.
at can't go on said Mr.. Bunting
to himself. 81 can't allow it. She'd
regret it all her life, | must remon-
strate with her. No woman likes a
,,,I tnN faft
lady. She'll admire me for speaking
out"
And that very evening Mr.. Bunting
trotted up to the Widows house, full of
II deadly purpose, and with a 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
at his ease, rNtfgITet lN
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"
ooh, dear Who is9" cried the
"That frog-eater, - replied the bache-
lor. Upon my soul, speak for your
own good. / am interested in your
welfare. Don't allow his visits. You
don't know a thing about him."
"Do you allude to Monsieur La Fon
talne YD asked Mrs. Hunter, solemnly'
"Tallude to that fellow" said bachelor