Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1882-01-27

the captain heard the pots and Kettles rat
Ting. the meat suffering, and brisk Gu
linary racket going on generally.
sEgad." the old fellow muttered to him
self, ''she'g a splendid craft. What clear
build. If had come across such a VIC
man years ago, I believe I should have
made fool of myself 20
In due time tie dinner made its appear
ance, and the captain was invited to par
take of it.
Now make yourself at home.'' the wid'
ow said. with charming smile; ''for
look upon you as one of the dearest friends
1 have"
"Egad, if she amt beauty" Uncle
Jerry said to himself, as he drew up to the
table.
The lamb chops were done as the eaptaiE
had never seen them done before. So JUICY
so rich. so dellcately spiced and so splen
didly cooked. And then tho pies, and
the cake, and the rich golden coffee. But
above all, he was entranced by the bright
smiles and sparkling wit OF the fair
hostess.
He muttered, while she was carrying
away the dishes, "Ain't she charmingq"
Finally the widow came and sat down
by the side of the captain upon the sofa
Her dimpled cheeks were all aglow; bel
bright eyes sparkling with a beaming lus
tire; and over her white shoulders flowed g
wavy, curling tress, which trembled ever
and anon, as though there were strange
emotions beneath it.
"Now, SIR" she said, II am ready te
listen"
'sWe ll-well," Uncle Jerry managed to
say, after a prodigious effort at clearing
his throat, ''you must pardon me if cone
right to the point"
''Of course
'Then here it is-you know / promised
Bill-that is-Bill Garland-my old mate
or should say my young mate-that
would look out after you-care for you:
care for you; you know that"
Eyes sir" continued Susan with grato.
full look; II know that, and have blessed
you many times for your kindness to poor
me. Alas I don't know what should
have done but for your generous bounty
"Tut, tut-don't talk so. How could I
help being good to you p
"Ah, but everybody don't have hearts
like yours"
The captain rather liked the compliment;
and then it came from an agreeable source,
too. SO he did not dispute it. But he
made another prodigious effort to clear
his throat, and then said:
IF have tried to be good to you; Susan,
and hope have been; but can't do all
I want to do for you at present. am
coming right to the point now" (Anoth
er clearing of the throat.) "You know
you are widow"
She did know it.
"And you know you are yet young and
very beautiful"
''Oh, no not beautiful" she said, s'and
surely not very young"
s'But you are not old, and-you are
beautiful. Now this won't do. Scandal
will reach you. l-ahem-am not SO old
myself but that the shaft of scandal might
reach me too"
sYou old?" uttered Susan, looking up
reprovingly and yet admiringly. "Why,
you are right in the very prime of man
hood. A man at your age, and with your
genial, happy disposition, has just reached
the dawn of life at five and forty"
Uncle Jerry rather liked this, so he did
not contradict, as he had at first will to
do.
'sThen, of COURSE he returned, apply
ing the compliment to his own purposes
cit is more necessary that there should be
a newer and nearer relation between US.
I love you too we'll to have single breath
of suspicion rest upon you. Would you
object to such relation?"
The widows long lasnes dropped, and
the dark tresses upon Eer bosom trembled
perceptibly.
eff it is your wish, sir, I should have no
opposition to make,'' she said
'And you'll come and live with me?''
"Yes.'
''And we'll be as happy as kings!"
ooh, I should be very happy!" she
whispered, and as she said so her head
rested upon the captains shoulder, and
the bright tresses fell upon his hand, with
several tear-jewels glittering amid the
curls.
"What time we'll have!" Uncle Jerry
cried, winding his arm about her form,
and drawing her closely to him. "When
you are Jacks wife WE'LL"
"Jack!" repeated Susan, breaking from
his entrance and springing to her feet,
Jacks wife!'' she uttered dashing the
tears from her eyes.
"Why, bless me. yes"
"And you have meant for me to marry
himp"
'sLord bless you, who should I mean?';
"And do you suppose I'd marry with a
mere boy? Are there not girls enough for
the youngster?" Sir, YOU mistake me-
you mistake my heart, you mistake my
love. if you think could give my heart to
your nephew"
s'But bless me-a-hem-Jack-is isl
II know sir-I know him we'll. He Is a
very fine youth, worthy youth and may
be noble man if he lives long enough,
but can say no more. 1 am sorry to dis
appoint you. am deeply grateful for all
your kindness to me, and 1 will pray to
God for his blessing upon you continually
But we had better part now. You have
spoken nay doom. Farewell ~
But, Susan. Here Stop! Bless me?"
Susan did not stop, and Uncle Jerry
found himself alone. He said, "Bless my
SOUL" forty three times and then left the
house All the way home he muttered to
himself, and when he met Jack at the sup
per table he was moody and silent. When
he went up to his chamber he commenced
to mutter again, and he kept on mutter-
ing and bordering till he fell asleep FL
nally he began to dream. He dreamed
that Susan Garland became his wife, and
he held her to his bosom and wondered
that hA could ovar bovo fbo,~h4 ~ o,oh =