The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-10-17
PATTERSON'S WOOING
Xchange.i

Exchange.
 Peter Patterson was ili--at least he thought so-and depressed he had a headache and he hated the dusty streets. t. in which the summer heat burnt and the summer sun shone before the green leaves had draped the trees, and poued gera- niums, which had come 10 be so biesseGy popular in New York, lent their summer freshness.
 "What shall do, doctor? ne said to the white-headed old physician You say nothing ails me but can tell what my feelings are better than you can. know shall be down with something soon. rode Tn a car with q half-dozsn dirty children the other day-:o the smallpox hospital, haven't a doub;- very red and nastY-looking, al! of them ; and wale l was buying something in a store down Broadway the other day a horrd old woman begged of me because her husband was sick with typhoid fever No doub I have caught both diseases, and it's the complication that puzzles you, Couldn't relsn my coffee this morning; left my milk.,oas. untouched. Hateful ife, that O! bachelor at hote!. Oa, dear mel"
 Why dons you mary then :" said the doctor
 They need so mu,h ccur;ing.' said Patterson. You spend X months or so at least, dangling al wonAn's apron strings. You must go to the theatre and opera if she is 2 4y. and 10 church fl she IS pious At fifty man likes his slippers and dressing gown and char of an even ing. If t was just stepping ever to the clergyman and getting married, putting ring on her finger and saying or nod ding yes two or three times, why wouldn't mind it, you know.
 An, well, courting is the f n Ot 1t all, in my opinion. said the old doctor, but every one to his taste. Aud my advice to you is 10 get out into the country"
 To another hotel and more mercen- ary waiters!" said Mir. Paterson.
 No" said the doctor: go to a nice, private home. know one-a motherly widow lady, who cooks dinner fit for a king. River before the house, woods be- hind it, orchard to the left, kitchen gar. den to the right no fever and ague; no mosquitoes. Heavenly! am going up there tomorrow, and IT! see if she'll take you"
 "Veiy we'll" said Mir Patterson "l think will try it."
 And you must drink plenty of milk and eat plenty of nice homemade bread"
 "Yes, will" said Patterson, overjoyed at least at hearing something tha. sounded like prescription. And you would advise milk
 "Qlars of 1t every day. said the dec tor.
 "l'll take note of it." said Patterson, and if should be very ill she'll nurse ne."
 "Splendidly," said the doctor, and went his way.
 Mir. Patterson thought the mater over and thought better of it every day, and when the little note informing him that the widow would be willing to take him in and 10 for him reached him, he had his trunk and portm antelu already packed, and was all ready 10 start that afternoon. As for the widow, the doctor had prepared her for her boarder's pc cutiarities thus
 Nice fellow social plenty of money thinks himself ill, but isn't; ought to be married told him so, but he hates the idea of courtng marry of some ciy. nc doubt; Will you have :ne2' Yes Call in clergyman. Over. Very pecu- liar old bachelor, but then old bachelors are peculiar generally.
 The widow was what the Yankees call an amazing smart woman. Sae had married al sixteen, and had never failed to have her washing over when other people were hanging out theirs. Her bread always rose, her cake was always good and her butter always sweet. A, torty-fve she had married of all her daughters, was well-.o-do, buxon and happy.
 Her son and his wife boarded with her, and she added to her plentiful savings by taking summer boarder or two, If they happened to offer.
 Fifty and bachelor" said Mrs. Mum tie, looking in the glass. Wei, it seems pity but when elderly gentlemen marry it is to some hity-tity girl tha. leads them terrible life. and likely it's for the best"
 Then she looked in the glass again tor the widow was but a woman, afer all.
 Mir. Patterson came to the widows and obeyed the doctors prescription carefully. He ate bread and milk, robbed the or chards like school-boy, and recl;ned over the strawberry shortcake after a fashion that would have made his repu- sation at the bar. Then, too, Mrs. Nun tie did not smile at his aches and pains and in sist that he must be perpetually we'll because he had fresh complexion and dimples in his cheeks. She had sa- vory herb teas and potions which she produced when he complained of feeling