Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1886-02-04

flowers and shrubbery, The place was
pretty and attractive, rejecting credit
on the refined taste of its inmates.
Doctor treshcorn' mind was now
fully made up to proceed to business.
lie felt a strange feeling of hope and OK
pectatlon as he drove along in his sulkv,
with his white horse, which the boys
named Flying Eclipse. lie was pom
derlng on the best way TO propose. He
had never undertaken such a mission
before but of course, it is an easy thing,
and it is what most men are Obliged 10
do before they can get married. he
thought The widow had conquered his
heart and he intended TO reward her
with his hand, and home. 1t never oc-
Cu'Itc,s ~ hins Snos -ilc uv,,iG say cay
thing but, yes He was mortal and
thought like many another modest gen
tlcman, that all that was necessary for
man to do was 10 say to woman
''will YOU have me?" when She would be
ready to jump for Joy and exclaim
Yes, sir! with all my heart, and thank
You too. No woman, he thought, would
say, no! If she does not marry, every
body knows it is because She never had
a chance; it is the hope Of every female,
and she is disappointed to the heart
core if she fails in her expectations
These thoughts crossed his mind as he
drove along. On the summit of hill
he stopped his horse for few moments
to look at N, rs il lay in the valley
beneath. Its church spires were glitter
ing in the morning sun whilst the creek
wound along like q band Of silver I'M
rolled, and the water over its noisy mill
dam sparklcd and loapej over tne wide
breast then flowed on until i. lost itself
IN the broad winding river beyond. The
residence Of the Ihorntons stood ut the
base of the hill, nesting Ike a white
swan, amidst the flowers and shrubbcry.
As the doctor was meditahug, little
Charley Thornton, who was passing, ex-
claimed, Or Freshcornl | vii, run a
race with you down this hill, | think l
can beat "Flying Eclipse
"All right, my boyl' he replied.
They started, Charley ran with his
cap in his hand, his dark eyes sparkling
with glee, whilst his white teeth shonc
like rows of pearls, as he laughingly
ran by the Doctors side.
The widow sat on the yeranda of Mr..
Thornton's house, her beautiful dark
hair brushed smoothly back, from her
broad intellectual-looking forehead,
whilst her delicate pink colorcd morn
ing dress tloated around her graceful
form like u rose tinted cloud As she
sat reading the two rushed by, little
Charley ahead.
See, Mrs Roselindr' cried the boy,
81 can beat Flying Eclipse
The widow arose, and went into the
house for fear the good man might see
the laugh which She vainly tried to sup
press.
Arriving ut Mr. Thornton's residence
he at once asked for the fair charmer,
determined to lose no time in settling
the important business. He entered the
parlor and seated himself in n recess
window tipping his chair back 50 as to
make his position more comfortable.
The widow entered bright and smiling
The Doctor sat and stared at her so long
that she began to be annoyed, and not
knowing exactly what course to pursue,
quietly took up the morning paper He
began to think now it was terrible
thing this popping the question. The
perspiration stood in great drops on his
forehead, whilst his tongue appeared to
cleave to the roof OF his mouth. View
it in whatever way he would, there was
no fun in it. In the meantime the widow
sat calm, and pretty looking, as unruf-
fled as q summer sea.
"How could she look SOP" he thought
when he was so miserable. However,
things had gone too far for him TO re-
tract, he saw the necessity of arousing
himself, and commenced in his usual
laundering fashion.
"Madam!' he exclaimed, "of course
like all females, you want to get mar
ried, and / have concluded that if no
one else will have you, / am willing!'
Mrs. Roselind raised her eyes, and in
her anger glared at him.
He became frightened, completely los
ing his presence of mind. In his terror
he tipped over backward, down he went,
his head striking the floor, his large
feet elevated in the air, like two gun
boats The widow at the sight forgot
her indignation, and completely over
come by the amusing scene, burst forth
in uncomfortable laughter.
Really sirr' she stammered as soon
as she could command herself II beg
your pardon, and am sure YOU will
grant it, when YOU reflect on the awk-
ward manner in which you put the
question. But, l know how infinitely
good and kind you are, and am willing
to put the most favorable construction
on your wishes whatever they may be-.
And be assured-I VIII say, yes! if
she said, raising her downcast eyes.
But, she spoke to empty air, foI
the Doctor had gained his feet and start
ed forth like an arrow from its bow,
never stopping until he had seated him
self in the sulky. Here he commenced
whipping Flying Eclipse" so vigorous
IL that the poor animal, unaccustomed
TO such treatment, also being tied to the
hitching post, bounded high into the air
upsetting the Doctor and sulky stimuli
taneously. The poor man gathered him
self up. and got away,never looking be-
hind him.
Although many delicate overturcs
were made afterwards by Mrs. Roselind
to allure him back, he never was I'M
daced to return to the attack.