The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1893-03-04
WHY JOHN DOBS0N WAS A
BACHELOR.


Just such a night when every one
would prefer to sit by hot stove or
be comfortably seated in a genial
warm room.
That very night jolly set OF fel-
lows were gathered around a blazing
fire relating stories, cracking jokes,
and each narrating his experience
among the girl.
l tell you what, boys, spoke out
George jenkins, as slight lull
occurred in the conversation, there's
John Dobson; he's had ripe ex
perience among the tais seq. Maybe
he'll tell US why he still lives in a
state Of for!orn hope.
John Dobson was a confirmed
old bachelor Of about fifty, ard
averse to female society, which he
Stunned on all possible occasions.
Yes, yes, give Us the story,
chimcd in halt dozen voices.
Do tell us, John Dobson, why you
never married one of those Gibsc.l
girls, for l know you once went it
strong with one them, sad Bob
Jamart, as he gave sly wink at the
rest Of the party.
Well, now, boys, have you no
respect tor a fellow, responded the
goodnatured John Dobson, for in
spite of his bachelOrhood he was as
clever a fellow as one could meet in
a weeks travel.
l tell you what, he continued, this
is no trifling matter, ard whenever |
think of the last time was in Sue
Gibson's company, and the mishaps
that followed, | always feel ashamed;
but as | am strongly pressed, l
guess I'll have to speak right out in
meeting, as bacon Wilburs wife
used to say when they had revival
down in the Battle Swamp meeting
house. Maybe some of you do not
recollect so far back ; anyhow, there
was old Squire Gibson down in Bat
tie Swamp. He had two as ''purty"
daughters as any man ever had since
the days OF Adam. Their names
were Sue and Dolly, and all the boys
for miles around were in love with
'em. l have an old chum named
Sam Williams. Well, Sam and |
paired with the girls; | took Sue
and Sam took Dolly under our shell
tering wings. The girls looked
upon rs with favor, and this created
lots of envy and jealousy among the
other boys.
As l said before the girls liked u.s.
but their old dad, the squire, didn't;
in fact, the old man didn't like any
young fellows come poking around
after his girls, because he thought
they would marry them, and then
he would be compelled to hire help,
for the girls did all the work about
the house and farm, such as milking
the cows, making butter, baking
bread and other things.
Hard as the old man was on the
girls, howsomever, he allowed them
to attend singing school, which was
held in the old log school house,
about three miles from the girls
home. We had singing school
Saturday night, and l was so much
in love with Sue Gibson that | could
scarcely wait till Saturday came, for
that W as the only time could see
her.
As l said before, the old Squire
was opposed to the girls having
company; but these girls, you know,
like all others, would have company
in spite of the old folks Well, that
night, the last time l ever went
home with the girls, turned out TO
be an awful one for me. We had a
splendid singing meeting, and after
it was over, | stepped up to Sue and
Sam Williams took Dolly, and off
we started for home All the way
along | talked quite sweet to Sue,
and she looked so sweet, that | felt
that | could have married her right
off. When we got to the gate that
opened into the lane which led up to
the house, Sue said to me, John you
mustn't come any further. Says |,
why notl Because, you know, says
she, dad won't ike it Says | again,
yes l will, Sue, Pm going right up
to the house with you, too, for
want to have a talk with you
Sue finding that l was determined
in the matter, submitted, and We
walked up to the house and righ
into the kitchen, for we had nc
trouble. The old folks had gone tc
bed long before, and were fast asleep
so the field was clear. courteo
Sue strong that night, and made
up my mind to ask her to be my
wife, the next time | came around
1t was now past midnight, and a
we had over four miles to go, tole
Sam we had better start. So W,
stepped out on the porch; as we die
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