Mexico weekly ledger., 1881-09-15
The Baitimorean.)
WHY DOBSON WAS A BACHELOR.

Twas a cold, bleak winters night
just such night when every one would
prefer to sit by hot stove or be COM
fortably seated in genial, warm room.
That night jolly set of fellows were
gathered around a blazing fire relating
stories, cracking jokes, and each narrat-
ing his experience among the girls.
II tell you what, boys" spoke ont
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 a state of forlorn hope"
John Dobson was confirmed old
bachelor of about fiftyfive, and averse
to female society, which he stunned on
all possible occasions.
Eyes, yes, give us the story" chimed
in a 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 feelings?' responded
the goodnatured John Dobson, for in
spite of his bachelorhood, he was as cley-
er fellow as one could meet in week S
travel.
81 tell you what" he continued, "this
is no tritiing matter, and whenever l
think of the last time / was in Sue Glib
sons company, and the mishaps that
followed, always feel ashamed; but as
am strongly pressed, guess I'll have
to speak right out in meeting as Dea-
con Wilbur's wife used to say when they
had a revival down in the Battle Swamp
meeting house.
Maybe some of you do not recollect so
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. l had an old ehum 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 1 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 he thought they would
marry them, and then he would be COM
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.
Gas 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 / ever
went home with the girl, turned out to
be an awful one for me. We had
splendid singing meeting, and after it
was over, stepped up to Sue, and Sam
Williams took Dolly, and off 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 off. 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 goinf
right up to the house with you; ano
moreover, Pm going into the house, too
for want to have talk with YOU
"Sue finding I was determined in thu
matter, submitted, and we walked up Il
the house and right into the kitchen, fo
we had no trouble. The old folks hat
gone to bed long before, and were fas
asleep, SO the field was clear. l courtee
Sue strong that night, and l made vi
my mind to ask her to be my wife, tn
next time I came around.
at was now past midnight, ana 81
we had over four miles to go, l told san
we had better start. So we stepped on
on the porch: as we did so, the sky wa
bright with lightning, the thunder pear
ed its loudest, and the rain poured dowf
in torrents. We waited for it to stop
until we all got so sleepy that the giri
said we should go to bed in the little
room at the head of the stairs, which lee
up from the kitchen, and as the old maj
didn't get up very early, we could 8