The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1891-01-17
A BACHELORS STORY.

was a bachelor, not wealthy, but
contented and happy. | am still
bachelor, contented but not happy
This is the difference between Thomas
Growler of month ago and the same
person today. But one short month ago
thought nothing of matrimony. l
smoked my pipe in comfort at my lodg-
ings Gn the city of Canterbury or sewed
refractory buttons upon my clothing
without thought of any female to take
that employment out of my hands.
But | was one day seated in the beauti-
full grounds of the Dane John, watching
the children drinking at the fountain,
when shadow fell upon the path. 1t
might have been the shadow of coming
events, but upon looking around per-
ceived that the substance was a very
beautiful young lady, with roguish blue
eyes that might have been the head
quarters of fun and good humor, looking
at me from frame of golden ringlets.
Now, you need not imagine that l,
sober gentleman of 40, was in love
with girl. Nothing of the kind. She
was at least 80, and a ragged little boy
who stood near, whose tongue loosened
with a piece of silver, told me that she
was a widow, who owned a small farm
outside the town, and that her name was
Mrs Faber He also informed me that
her brother lived with her and managed
the property.
Upon the following morning | greatly
surprised my friend, Harry Powers, by
praising the Widow Faber, and request
ing an introduction. He gazed at me a
moment in speechless aston1shment, and
think that he really thought of knock
ing me down with Webster's Dictionary
and calling for assistance. But Harry
was engaged himself, and soon compre-
hended the state of affairs. So he
dropped the book upon the table and in
vited me to a picnic which was to take
place in the woods in a few days, where
| should meet the lady and be intro
duced.
Immediately purchased a new suit of
clothes, beautiful wig and pair OF
tight boots, and when the morning of
the festival dawned crowded myself
into the broadcloth, put on my wig, and
after much preparation and strong Ian
guage had been wasted managed to
squeeze my feet into the patent feathers,
where they felt as if incased in red hot
iron boots.
At the picnic received the promised
introduction, and had the pleasure of es-
corting Agnes all day. She talked with
me, and we attacked the eatables in
company, investigating the interior Of
pigeon pies and dissecting chickens to
gether | was happy all day, and when
at parting she invited me to visit her
believe the tightness of my waistcoat
was all that prevented my heart from
bursting it's bonds. My feet prevented
me from sleeping that night, but wa.
willing to suffer in such a cause, and
bore it without murmur.
One day hired a horse and gig at thu
livery stable, and started toward th'
farm to carry Agnes to party at ;
neighboring town. She was alread.
dressed when | drove up, and looket
beautiful in a new bonnet and shawl
We were very comfortable, and our con
versation was very interesting. wa
advancing rapidly in her good opinion
and was beginning to think seriously o
popping the question, when the hors
stopped suddenly as if turned to stone
We both tumbled suddenly forwar'
~, JnTlt
lovely nose came into sharp contact wit
the dashboard
Immediately jumped out to see wha
was the matter, but everything abou
the horse appeared to be all right, and
again climbed into the gig and prepare
to start. But the horse obstinately re
fused TO move coaxed and tiattered
but he would not be persuaded.
tbrashed him with the whip until M
wrist ached, but he remained immova
BILE as a statue. At last | sharpened
hedge stake, took my seat, gave th
reins to my companion and gave him
tremendous blow. hardly hoped to Sc
him stir. but he did, and started with
lean that almost threw lie on my bacl
[ Immediately seized the reins, but hi
determination had taken another char
mel, aud he would not stop. | tugged 8
the reins and shouted, "Whoa!" but b
held the bit between his teeth and rushe
along the road like runaway comet
Agnes screamed and | roared as W
dashed by the farm houses with tt
speed of locomotive. The horses hee
splintered the dashboard at every lea]
and the bright shoes twinkled like sina
stars in dangerous proximity TO our eye
Finally the wheels struck tree, Il
horse stumbled and the next moment
was lying upon my back in the road.
Feeling like an exhausted bellows | r
gained my breath and picked myself I
after while, but what a situation! Agn
: living upon the grass, with torn clothir
and disordered hair, while her chignt
was rolling along the pathway pursue
by terrier. The horse stood quite st
and gazed calmly upon the ruins, | W
without hat, covered with dust. II
I boys shouted, boisterously and the col
pany, who perceived that we were uni
iured, laughed. | could have jump
into the river to hide myself, and e
tertained serious ideas of running ava
. but / thought better of it and assist
Agnes to arise.
1t cost me a heavy sum for the wreck
5 gig. was scratched and discourage
1 I