Shiner gazette. [volume] (Shiner, Tex.) 1893-current, 1896-04-30

bOOu SlGtDinb u III anu NY
was in perfect order, somehow l lay
awake thinking what a lonesome sort
Of life bachelors life was, and how
much cozier and pleasanter a woman
could make a mans life, even if she
hadn't more than half the chance
After long time l slept and dreamed
dreams in which there were summer
girls and other disturbing elements,
and when l awoke in the morning. in
response to Bascom's knock, was my
old self again and laughed at the ve-y
idea of woman as a life companion.
During Sunday l had several very
Interesting talks with Mrs. Hilman, ami
by night again | was worse than 1 was
the night before. and began wondering
why 1t was that some men were so much
| lucltier than Others and also whether
there was much chance of Mr.. Hilman
departing this life and being laid to
rest with his fathers. knew of q num-
Der of pleasant churchyards where
thought Mr. Hilman might be accom-
modated with quarters indefinitely, and
felt that l could attend his funeral
with much pleasure, though, as rule,
| abhored funerals.
well, old man" said Bascom, as we
took the train for town Monday morl,-
ing, 81 hope you enjoyed yourself"
81 never had pleasanter outing in
my life" l answered, with such sin
certify that he actually blushed, "and
you have my thanks in all their ampli
tude."
I'm glad you liked it, for more
reasons than one" and he smiled rather
curtly.
"oh, yes, I know" I said, with a
laugh You think that after my ex-
perience of the last forty-eight hours
my views on the woman question will
undergo a radical changer"
He nodded and smiled at my pro-
fundity of observance.
"Fess up, now, Marston,' he said
haven't your views changed somewhat
by what you have lived in for even SO
short a timer"
We'll" 1 replied, picking my way
carefully, 81 am willing to say that az
far as your household is concerned, the
prospect is more pleasing than ]
Thought III cOulu De.
And would you say the Hilman
household were any less pleasing than
miner" This was a nudge and a
chuckle that 1 thought quite uncalled
for in view of the fact that Mrs Hill
man was a married woman, and had
no right to express undue admiration
for her or her household. and which
made the blood rush into my face.
"Of course, that must be included"
said, trying to laugh off my embar-
rassment. And STILL" 1 continued,
that is only two, sand there are millions
which one wouldn't care to praise"
What are they to you?" he retorted
You are not hunting for the millions
but the one"
Apparently / am not hunting one
with. "a great degree of success"
But you should, and now yor
have positive proof that the life is not
as black as it is painted"
Its very easy for you to talk" j
contended warmly. You have called
lucky turn and so has Hilman. But
you have exhausted the supply. Now
| IL 4 NOuih 6CL hOhANA eAS 4'AAN
-" But stopped short, for l was
about to make a discrimination which
was hardly complimentary to my host
and didn't want to do that.
go on" he urged, good naturally.
"Isdon't care If you say Mrs. Hilman
Anybody could see that you had lean.
ing that way. Even my wife wasn't al
all envious of her sister"
Very WELL" submitted, SAY Mrs,
Hilman. If could find such woman
as Mrs. Hilman, l am not at all sure
that my mind would not undergo q
change, and that l could not be per.
suaded to throw off few of the tram
mels of bachelorhood."
Bascom let off a guffaw that not only
for l thought l had said something
should not have said.
whats the matter, MANI" / asked,
much alarmed.
That's it," he continued to laugh.
Whats the matter with Mrs. Hill
mani"
was much more disturbed than ever
at this queer inquiry.
What do you mean?" asked, taking
him by the collar.
why, ole. fellow. If Mrs. Hilman lie
your ideal and you think you could be
happy with that kind of woman, why
don't you avail yourself of your op-
portunities and take Mrs. Hilman?"
Wha-wha-wh a-why-why-" !
stammered, utterly upset.
"Oh, there isn't any Mr.. Hilman. II
that's what you are trying to say. He
has been in the quiet churchyard for
lol these many years, and Mrs. Hilman
has been living Gith us the last twelve