The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1894-03-17
A WILLING WIDOW.

A score of US we're sitting in the
shade of the depot building waiting for
the tram which was an hour late, when
a yoke of oxen attached to a queer
looking old cart turned the corner.
They were driven by woman about
fifty years of age, who was bare footed
and wore mans straw hat.
Get up thar, Buck she exclaimed
vas she laid the CAD on the off OK with
a resounding whack. You thar, Pete,
what you skittishun round that way far2
Both of yous stan still
She turned them up to the platform,
threw down some hay taken from the
cart, and came up among US to inquire
of the depot agent about barrel of salt.
He was busy just then as she was
waiting around when the smart Aleck
of the crowd, who was travelling for
wine house, remarked in tones meant
for her to overhear:
have always said that if | married
at all I'd marry a woman who could
drive oxen.
Is that meant for me she asked, as
she walked straight up to him.
Are you widow, ma'am1 -
l am. Bin a widder ever since a
sawlog rolled over Jim nine years ago.
And you'd marry again if you had
the opportunity, would your
would. When Jim lay dyin' in
the house he told me to murry again if
l had show.
Ahem Could you love a second
husband1
could. 1t runs in our family to
love. We begin airly and keep it up
to the grave. What's your proposition7
Pm a plain woman, full O. bizness, aud
never do any foolip. If you've got
anythin' TO say, say 1t right out afore
'em all.
IL don't want to marry just now,
he stammered.
Don't eh2 Then what's the use of
getten' me on my tip toes about1 You
man, you jest the same as asked me to
have you, and jest the same as ac-
cepted you
Oh! No, no! l merely made
some inquiries he replied.
Them Inquiries was about love. sir,
and my hearts thumpin' away like
all git out! l said I'd marry again,
and will. We are engaged. When
do you want me to be readya
Madam, you have totally misun6er-
stood me, explained the young man as
he turned all sorts of colors and ap.
peared to grow small. 1 asked you
{ :. questions out of curiosity.
Mebbe the jury will call it curiosity,
and mebbe they won't! she said as
she set her jaw. They don't allow no
foolin' round in Posey county. When
feller goes as fur as you hev it's
hitch or damages. I'm a tremblin' all
over like girl, an my hearts tryin'
to Jump out. It's reg'lar love or I
don't know the road hum. You don't
leave here, young maD, till this case is
settled.
But, ma'am, you see
l don't see nuthin' but marriage or
damages. You asked me to have you.
l said l would. Will you marry or
settler
How-how much? he gasped, as he
looked around and failed to find any
sympathy.
Wall, Saginaw salt is dollar and a
quarter a barr, she replied, as she
glanced at row of barrels down the
platform, l guess the oxen kin git hIm
with two bar'ls. Make it two and I'll
call it squar.
Everybody grinned except the young
man. He realized that he was done
for and got out of the box by planking
down the two dollars and half to the
agent. The cart was driven around to
the spot, the barrels loaded up, and
then the woman came back to say to
the young man:
I've settled this case and the salt is
in the cart, but l jest want to remark
that if you happen this way agin, and
you happen to feel so awfully cunnln'
that you can't hold yourself you'd bet
ter go slow on widders. Thar's six
teen of us round here, an We all drive
yallar oxen hitched to carts, an We all
90 b'rfoot in the Summer and sigh to
git married again. The reg'lar figger
is three bar'l of salt and pound Of
tea, but owin' to your youth and that
thunderstorm comm up I've let you
off easy. Good day, bub; good day,
all
Don't endeavor to mold all
dispositions alike.
Don't tell what you are going
to do, till you have done it.
NJ. s.I.a ....L IL. -