Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1879-04-12
Winning the Widow.

1orelgn accent, zoo
Mrs. Hunter was a widow-rich
childless, fair and thirty -fve-and
she made the remark above recorded
to Mr.. Bunting, bachelor, who had
come to pay an afternoon call, appro'
pos of the departure of Prof. La Foam
tine, who had, according to etiquette
taken his departure on the arrival Of
Mr. Bunting.
Don't like to contradict a lady,
said Mr.. Bunting. "But I can't say
1 agree with you; and these foreign
ers are generally impostors, too"
Mrs. Hunter ahook her head coquet-
ishly.
She was rather coquetish, rather
gushing for her age.
ooh, you gentlemen you gentle
men" she said, II 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 eig ghty
| in the house, to play propriety, and al
low 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 ju-
nior 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.
Size 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
Foantaine, with black eyes as big as
saucers, and long side-whiskers-
black also as any ravens wing had
the advantage of being tio widow
junior.
This opportunity to make fool of
herself is 80 irresistible to every wild
ow.
It troubled his dreams good deal
not that he thought him handsome.
Oh, no!
But still at fifty man does not de-
sire a 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
evening, during which the maiden
aunt (who was, at best, as deaf as a
post) snored sweetly in her chair.
But, alas on the very next even
ing his sky was overcast.
Professor La Fointaine took the
widow 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 Profes-
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 re-
turned his glances.
"It can't go on, said Mr.. Bunting
to himself. II can't allow it. She'd
regret it all her life. 1 must remon,
strate with her. No woman likes q
coward. Faint heart never won fail
lady. She'll admire me for speaking
out"
And that very evening Mr.. Bunt'
ing trotted up to the widows house
full of deadly purpose, and with
set speech learned off by heart.
The speech he forgot as he erossec
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 a timid bather makes into chilly
water, he dashed into the subject
nearest his heart.
"He's rascal, ma am, I give you my
word"
"Oh, dearl Who is?" cried the
widow.
"That frog eater" rep'iel the
bachelor. upon my ropl. ! speak
for your own good. l am inreres.e-
in your welfare. Don't allow his Wis,
it's. You don't know a thing about
| him."