Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1885-07-04
In less than two days Mr.. Joseph

fact, that he picked up rose the
widow had dropped, and took it to his
room, where he sat and looked at it for
an hour before he realized what he was
doing.
you poor old fool" he said, address.
ing his reflection in the glass. you're
done for, amt you! 1t takes widows
to fetch man to time. Eve always
heard so, and now know it,"
Then he sighed.
During the next two weeks Joseph
found the courage to get better ac,
quainted with Mrs. Parks than he had
ever been with any woman, save his
mother. But whenever he thought Of
asking her to marry him, he couldn't
help feeling afraid of her.
The Fourth" came. There was to be
picnic, and all the family and guests
were going, except Mrs. Parks, who
said Rose was so much trouble she'd
rather stay at home.
Joseph had intended to go, but he
suddenly changed his mind and said he
should STAY at home.
"Got headache" he explained,
grufay, and concisely, to William. He
also told the same outrageous fib to
Mrs. Parks, who smiled as if she saw
through his excuses, at which Joseph
colored up and "felt as if he had been
stealing sheep" he told himself. "These
widows were so sharp you couldn't fool
'em-there was no use in trying"
"Of course Pm sorry you don't feel
WE'LL" said Mrs. Parks, "but Pm
glad Pm going to have company. Well
have nice little dinner all to ourselves,
and that'll be almost as pleasant as a
picnic"
"More So" answered Joseph with
alacrity. ga great deal more SOL"
When the family and guests had
taken their departure, he went down
town and bought Strawberries and
lemons, and green peas, and other good
things for dinner, and doll for Rosie
almost as large as that young lady was.
How kind you are" said Mrs.
Parks. "ROsie, go and kiss Mr.. Brown,
and tell him you thank him for the
pretty doll"
me tank 'ou," said Rosie, nodding
her head toward Joseph. "'Ou tiss i'm
for me, mamma. Me t'an't now"
At that the widow blushed, and SC
did Joseph. He hoped she would obey
Rosie's orders, but she didn't.
"Won't we have a jolly time," said
Mr.. Parks, as she sat down on the
veranda to hull the strawberries. 81
you want to help, Mr.. Brown, you car
shell the peas"
"Thank you, said Mr.. Brown, hardly
conscious of what he was saying.
What delightful little dinner the
pretty widow got up. 1t seemed to hin
it was far ahead Of any dinner he haC
ever partaken Of betOre--a perfect
model Of its kind. He wished she ha(
to cook his dinner for him as long al
he lived.
After dinner he suddenly proposed
that they should take ride.
The widow assented, and away hi
went after horse and carriage.
Such delightful ride as it was. HI
felt as if he might be in heaven. True,
he had little bashful spells, but they
didn't last long.
"You must have conquered your
headache" said the widow, with mis-
chievous smile.
81 did," answered Joseph. An awful
desperation seized him. He felt pale,
but he also felt more courage than he
had ever expected to be able to cal
up in such an emergency as this.
ut was my heart that troubled me
most" he stammered.
"Heart diseased" exclaimed the wild
ow, looking scared. "Dear me, Mr.
Brown, | didn't think you was troubled
that way. Have you had it long?"
"Ever since l came down to VIII
liam's," answered Joseph. "It--it cam
on the first time l saw you"
ooh, you funny mani" cried tn
widow, all dimples and bushes. "