Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-03-17
THE ECCENTRIC BACHEL OR.

typical old bachelor, n parsonage more
often met with in the pages of fiction
than in real life; lean and sharp-visaged
of aspect, crusty and cynical Of temper
He was, moreover, an avowed oddity;
one of the privileged class who, by vir-
tue of this reputation, can do what 9th
ers dare not without exciting surprise or
giving offense; whose eccentricities are
met with shrug of the shoulder and
the remark, " What else could YOU ex-
pect Of an oddity like him ?"
He was an unpopular man, receiving
scAnt sympathy; yet capable neverthe-
less, Of kind and generous acts, performed
on the condition that they were to be
kept strictly secret and that he was never
to he thanked for them. Woe betide
the recipient of a favor to whom it was
brought home that he had mentioned
the same to any one, or extollcd the
kindness of his benefactorl The I'M
lucky wight once detected i'll thus giving
vent to his gratitude had taken the sur
eat method of cutting himself off from
further help. He never got another
chance.
Our old bachelor enjoying, as We have
said, the privileges of eccentricity, it
excited no surprise when on one occa-
sion, after an absence from home. he
wrote to inform his servants-an old
couple who had lived with him for years
that on his return he would be ac-
companied by widow lady who was
likely to make long stay in his house,
and for whom apartments were to be got
ready
I" And pretty upset she'll make" cx-
claimed the dismayed old housekeepcr.
"A fussy, middle-aged party, no
doubt; ordering and interfering and
wanting to have everything her own
way; which she won't get, John, as long
as you and can prevent her She'll be
a clever madam if she gets her foot in
side my storeroom while there's locks
and bolts 70 keep her ont, I can tell
her
" Don't YOU make too sure" said
John. The old man could not resist
now and then teasing his helpmate, as a
little set-off against sundry naggings on
the part of that good old lady. May
be it's a mistress of the house and of
Yourself that's coming to it. Them
widders are great Mt vheedling. It's
time, il the master is ever To marry.
that"
All, stop your cfoakiug nov :" cried
Mrs. John This dire suggestion was
too overpovering for her feelings
The appointed day arrived; and when
the cab drove TO the door, the two old
domestics, with very sour faces and their
backs very much up went TO receive
their master and his unwelcome guest
Their first glimpse Of the latter showed
them they might have spared their fears
and hostile intentions. Out from the
cab. before their astonished eyes, sprang
a girlish figure whose bright. happy
face contnstcd c1ri6usly with her mourn
ing garments.
Mind the step, uncle" ooh, his
niece, she isl'l she cried tripping mp to
tho hall door "Don't trouble. please"
with smik TO the old housekeepcr;
" that bag Is too heavy for you; I'll
carry it."
And when the stranger came down to
breakfast next morning with morsel Of
a cap perched on the top of her golden
braids Of hair mot my idea Of widows
cap" said the dame to her husband
and would you believe il, John, sing
ing away like bird while she was dress
ing she looked more absurdly young
more like girl in her teens than an ex-
perienced, "settled matron."
The advent of his pretty niece made
some change in the habits Of the old
gentleman. He had friends at dinner
more frequently than Of yore ; and in
addition 10 the elderly fogies that formed
his usual society, younger guests were
invited, suited to the years Of his visitor.
With great amusement, her uncle OBJ
served the attraction her comeliness and
winning ways we're for these. Swarm
ing round-like flies about honey-pot |
Scenting,I L dare say, fat iointure. All
widows are supposed to he rich and
Just because she is a widow, and for no
ether reason, making mp 10 her. the