Mexico weekly ledger., 1881-07-14
TREK-ADDOU0.
The Baltimorean.l
WHY DOBSON WAS A BACHELOR.



prefer to sit by hot stove or be COM
fortably seated in genial, warm room.
That night jolly set Of fellows were
gathered around blazing fire relating
stories, cracking jokes, and each narrat-
ing his experience among the girls.
81 tell you what, boys" spoke out
George Jenkins, as slight lull occurred
in the conversation, "there's John Dob
son; he's had ripe experience among
the fair sex. Maybe he'll tell us why
he still lives in state of forlorn hope"
John Dobson was a confirmed old
bachelor of about fifty-five, and averse
to female society, which he stunned on
all possible occasions.
eyes, yes, give US the story" chimed
in half dozen voices.
"Do tell us, John Dobson, why you
| never married one Of those Gibson girls,
for know you once went it strong with
one of them," said Bob Jamart, as he
gave sly wink at the rest of the party.
"Well, now, boys, have you no re-
spect for fellows feelingsf" responded
the goodnatured John Dobson, for in
spite of his bachelorhood, he was ss clev-
er fellow rs one could meet in q weeks
travel
I tell you what" he continued, "this
is no trifling matter, and whenever I
think of the last time was in Sue Glib
sons company, and the mishaps that
followed, I always feel ashamed; but as
l am strongly pressed, guess I'll have
to speak right out in meeting as Dea.
con Wilburs wife used to say when they
had q revival down in the Battle Swamp
Westinghouse.
"Maybe some of you do not recollect 30
far back; anyhow, there was old Squire
Gipson down in Battle Swamp. He had
two as purity daughters as any man ev-
er had since the days of Adam. Their
names were Sue and Dolly, and all the
boys for miles around, were in love with
'em. I had an old chum named Sam
| Williams.-Well, Sam and l paired with
the girls; / took Sue and Sam took Dol
ly under our sheltering wings. The
girls looked upon us with favor, and
this created lots of envy and jealousy
among the other boys.
GAS / said before, the girls liked US,
but their old dad, the squire, didn't;
in fact, the old man didn't like any
young fellows come poking around after
his girls, because be thought they would
marry them, and then he would be CON-
PEELED to hire help, for the girls did all
the work about the house and farm, such
as milking the cows, making butter,
baking bread and other things.
"Hard as the old man was on the
girls, howsomever, he allowed them to
attend singing school, which was held in
the old log school-house, about three
miles from the girls home. We had
singing school every Saturday night, and
| was SO much in love with Sue Gibson
that could scarcely wait till Saturday
came, for that was the only time could
| see her.
"As said before, the old Squire was
opposed to the girls having company;
but these girls, you know, like all Others,
would have company in spite of the old
folks. Well, that night, the last I ever
went home with the girl, turned out to
be an awful one for me. We had a
splendid singing meeting, and after it
was over, I stepped up to Sue, and Sam
Williams took Dolly, and of we started
for home. All the way along talked
quite sweet to Sue, and she looked so
sweet, that felt that I could have mar
ried her right of. When we got to the
gate that opened into the lane which
led up to the house, Sue said to me,
John, you mustn't come any further
Says /, why not?' Because, you
know says she, dad won't like it.
Says again, Yes will, Sue, I'm going
right mp to the house with you; and
moreover, I'm going into the house, too,
for want to have talk with YOU
"Sue finding / was determined in the
matter, submitted, and we walked up to
the house and right into the kitchen, for
we had no trouble. The old folks had
gone 70 bed long before, and were fast
asleep, SO the field was clear. courted
Sue strong that night, and made up
my mind to ask her to be my wife, the
next time / came around. ..s-sl
at was now past midnight, and as
We had oyer four miles TO 90, told Sam
we had better start. SO We atePPed out
on the porch; a. we did 80, the sky was
bright with lightning, the thunder peal
ed its loudest, and the rain poured down
| in torrents. We waited for it to stop,
until we gil got 50 sleepy that the girls
said We should 60 to bed In the little
room ct the head OF the stairs, which led
up from the kitchen, and a. the old man
didn't get up very early, we could 60