Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-02-02

''Susie Brown answered the girl,
pretty pink coming to her cheeks.
Mines Abner Mullins-and I'm much
obliged to YOU" responded Abner, with
went on his way.
''Trim little sloop," he said to him
self; Kitchen looked shipshape, too. I
don't object to good looks if there's
something to ballast Them" and Abner
cast off his painter and pulled for home
with long, steady strokes which carried
him swiftly through the dancing. spark
ling waves.
Somehow Abner's little house seemed
actually lonely to him that night, and
the next day the same feeling possessed
him. He could not quite understand it.
He did not think SO much about get
ting rid of the work as usual. The
and there, and of bright smile well
coming him on his return from fishing
haunted him.
On the day following Abner persuaded
himself that it was necessary to take
load of fish to Bayport, and he ex-
before he started. Usually he went from
his fish cleaning or from clam digging
without thought of his personal ap-
pearance, but now he put on clean
flannel shirt and even trimmed his
beard. After his cargo was disposed of
he again raped at the little door. Susie
opened it to him and quickly brought
him his drink, with a smile of recog-
milton. This was all, yet somehow Alb
ner felt that his acquaintance had adj
yanced a step.
After this it became an accustomed
thing for Abner to go to Bayport to do
his trading, and he never failed to stop
at the house by the wharf to quench his
thirst.
Susie was always busy about the kitch-
en-, brisk and deft, with a CHEEKY word of
welcome. Once she was frying dough-
nuts, and she gave him one; a delicious
circle Of crispness. which he ate appre-
ciatively and with pleased anticipation
of the future.
He never crossed the threshold. but
sometimes he leaned against the door
frame, watching the swift movements of
Susie, and indulging in a little labored
conversations; or he would linger as if
about to say something, then suddenly
turn and hurry down the street as ii in
great haste.
''He must be a steady man." said Susie
TO herself one day, as she watched his
retreating figure, ''or it would not be wa
ter he'd want so much of. But he does
look like wild man with all that beard,
and he amt got much use of his tongue
At last came a morning when Abner
spoke. Susie was unusually bewitching
that day, in a fresh print gown and a
distracting little sweeping cap.
Susie he said, swallowing hard in
his effort to speak naturally, "Susie, l
want you to marry me!'
Susie dropped her broom and stared
Don't say a wordr'' said Abner, In
great haste. give got $1,000 laid up and
I'll be a good husband to you. You
won't find the work hard, and I'll fit you
out well: Think it over and I'll be
around day after tomorrow
hnp off hofO
and blushing, could utter word.
That evening Abner sat on his door
step and looked out over the bay.
Il expect I'll miss being alone.' he
said but ! reckon it'll be smooth sailing
I'll keep the tiller.''
The next day he began to clean house
Its only fair to give her a clear start"
he said, as he scrubbed vigorously.
He went down on his hands and knees
hopping up tue floor when a shadow fell
before him. He looked up. His doorway
was filled by the figure of middle-a sed
woman, very stout, and very much out Of
breath.
''Well!' she painted cts pull up this
hill of yours, but it's a slightly place
when once you get mere. You Abner
Mullins?
yes" stammered Abner, too much
astOnished by the invasion to get up from
the floor.
give come over from Bayport on pur-
pose to see you," continued the visitor
I'm Mrs. Brown. You've been courtin
my SuSieT'
There was a note of interrogation in tho
last sentence which seemed to demand Of
Abner some response. He slowly gath
cred himself up, and, once on his feet
ventured to look at Mrs. Brown. She was
a comely, wholesome woman, with bright,
black eyes, before which Abner's wavered
and fell.
IL asked her to marry me!'' he man
aged to utter.
"Well, now, that's all nonsensey' con-
tinued Mrs. Brown, stepping in and look
ing about. 'sMercy sakes! What a hole!
be full on to 40. Besides, she is going
back to Lewiston to work in factory
she's only been at home while | was visit
ing my sister--and there's a young fellow
there who is paying her attention. | don't
wonder you want to get married, though,
livin' in this mess!'
Mrs. Brown picked up a rag from the
floor, wiped a chair off. and sat down.
Abner stood aWkwardly before her, con-
scious only of a desire for her departure.
"Now, look here, Abner Mullins!' went
on Mrs. Brown. GIVE heard a good deal
about you, and know you're an honest
man and no drinker except from Su-
sizes dipper,'' she added with chuckle
''I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll marry
you myself
The floor cloth dropped from Abner S
hand.
eyes," continued Mr.. Brown, give
been a widow for fifteen years, and [ be-
gin to feel I'd like to have somebody to
fend for me. I'll keep you tidy as wax
you need it bad enough, goodness knows
and I'm a master cook. I've got $500
in the bank. Susie's got her pas NOR
and amt dependent on me. My REM $
up next week, SO we might as we'll get
married then. There amt anything for
us to wait for. We're old enough to
know our own minds"
| But Abner, standing helpless in the
middle of the floor, felt that he should
never know his again!
About six weeks later Abner was com
| ing up from his dory with basket of
fish when a Beachville acquaintance ac-
costed him.
"Hello. Abner! How do you like be-
| ing married?"
s'It might be worse,'' said Abner slow
| ", as he climbed the lane. eyes" he
continued to himself, as he looked into
his neat kitchen and saw the figure of
his wife stepping briskly about, prepar-
ing a savory supper and singing cheer
! lily as she worked. eyes, it might be a
deal sight worse" -Waverly Magazine