The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1882-03-04
THE ECCENTRIC BACHELOR.


F. was a living specimen of the
typical old bachelor, 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
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 me?'
He was an unpopular man, receiving
scant sympathy; yet capable, neverthe-
less, of kind and generous acts, perform
ed on the condition that they we're to be
kept strictly secret and that he was never
to be thankful for them.
Our old bachelor enjoying, as we have
said, the privilege of eccentricity, it ex-
cited no surprise when on one occasion.
after an absence from home. he wrote to
inform his servants an old couple who
had lived with him for years-that he
would be accompanied by widow lady,
who was likely to make u long stay In
his house, and for whom apartments
we're TO be got ready.
And q pretty upset she'll makep' ex-
claimed the dismayed old housekeeper,
a fussy, middle-aged party, no doubt;
ordering and interfering and wanting to
have everything her own way; which she
won't get
Don't make so sure, said John. The
old man could not resist now and then
teasing his heIpmate as q little set-of
against snndry naggings on the part OF
thatgood old lady. Maybe it's mis-
tress of the house and of yourself that's
coming to it. Them widders are great
at wheedling. It's time, if the master is
ever to marry, that"
ssAh, stop your croaking nowp' cried
Mrs. John. The dire suggestion was too
oYerpowering 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 that 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 contrasted curiously with
her mourning garments.
Mind the step, uncleF' tsOh, his
neice, she isr') she cried tripping up to
the hall door. Don't trouble, please, .
with smile to the old housekeeper;
that bag is too heavy for you to take,
Pfl carry it.
And when the stranger came down to
breakfast next morning with a morsel of
q cap perehed on the top of her golden
braidsof hair mot my idea of widows
cap. satd the dame to her husband;
''and would you believe it John, singing
away like bird while sue was dressingt')
she looked absurdly young; more like
girl in her teens than an experienced,
SETTLED" matron.
The advent of his pretty neice made
some change in the habits OF the old gem
tIeman. He had friends at dinner more
frequently than of yore; and in addition
to the elderly fogies that formed his
usual society. younger guests were in-
vite,l. suited to the age of his visitor
With great amusement her uncle OBJ
served the attraction her comeliness and
winning ways.were for these. swarm
ing round-like flies about a honey pot!
Seeming. I daresay, fat iointure. All
widows are supposed to be rich, and just
because she is a widow, and for no other
reason. making mp to her, the foolsT
This to himself with a cynical chuckle.
Aloud Nice little woman, sir, that
niece Of mine. Plenty OF good looks,
but hasn't sixpence- not sixpence to
bless herself with.
It was wonderful how the old house
was frightened up by the presence of its
bIithe young inmate. But by no one
was its pleasant influence more felt than
by the domestics, who had vowed such
hostility before her arrival The old
woman especially was devoted to her;
loving her for her own sake as well as
for the kindly help and good Offices she
was always receiving from the deft and
willing hands of the young girl. In the.
.soreroom- that sacred retreat which her
Z = ,s,ver to invade the latter was
IS be. found ON sscompan Gay " :, pus9
and hanpv as q bee; with Sleeves :. s.lsAeu
haIf way irp her plump arms, her N ~
csa,,a skirts slowed away slnaef one>sSSl
sI,es old ia<ly's capacious Holland aprons, =
md Ianness pinned high ever iier head,
rvlsile laughing merr1ly at the aneer |
f;gs,fe she made ot herself she worked |
[ssav II fbe cakes and sweets, |
a.,s5;;,a world Of trouble off the poor
.horsekaeper's hands.
ssA,al 50 thoughtful is she, aIla gay
,,,ass s Sas:'. his wife would tell ed John
Now. do as you're bid, she Il saf pay
fully. forcing me down into MY Dig enaalf.
sssit down and rest that's alL old dear.
md take your tea. I'm not gdSS,ss tee, 70 sss
YOU do q turn more. And thee = sue =. =
work away, her tongue going u sne
tine as fast as her fingers; runnlpg On
about her mother and her homes he5 :
flowers and pets, dogs and birds, alaa
what not, but never word about hss