Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1902-06-19


RESULTED IN THOUSAND STINGS.
the age Of twenty-one he had never
spoken to five members of the opposite
sex and was as bashful as a girl Of
sixteen.
The crisis OF his young life occurred
one day when, driving sheep over to
the Rawsonville market, he passed the
farmhouse of the Widow Blair. He
was just In time to assist the hired
man, the widow and her daughter Pol
ly to extinguish fire In the barn. AL
though he hurried on as soon as pos
sible, he had left his heart behind with
Polly.
Nothing was said about his adven-
ture when he returned home, and bash
full as he was he had managed to see
Polly half dozen times and excite her
interest before the news reached the IA
ther's- ears. After little reflection
Uncle Jerry went to the field where
George was hoeing potatoes.
Look here. George. It's about time
you got married. The house Is big
enough for another family, and of
course you have no thoughts Of leaving
home. | guess you'd better shine up
to Jim Taylor's gal. She amt much
on looks, as I'll allow, but I've heard
she was a great worker. There's 60
ing to be q circus in Rawsonville next
week, and | don't mind giving you
dollar to take her along"
George managed to reply that be
didn't think he'd get married for
awhile yet.
but lemme tell you something. I've
heard that you was casting sleeps
eyes toward the Widder Blairs. You
might as well quit that. I'd rather see
you In your grave than married into
that family"
Isn't the widow a nice woman?"
asked George.
"No, sir, she ain'tr' decisively re-.
piled the father. 81 had two lawsuits
with her about ten years ago, and she
beat me in both. I'd also have got the
prize on hogs at the county fair last
year If she hadn't had six of hers there.
She's the last woman on earth ] want
related to me. Better go over to Tay-
lor's tonight and ask Sarah to go to
the circus with you"
But George didn't, and month later
he almost paralyzed his father by say
ing:
Dad, have asked Polly Blair to
marry me, and she has consented"
"Jerusha. but you don't mean itr'
shouted the father as he jumped clear
off the ground.
81 do" was the quiet reply.
But you can't marry her, George.
forbid you to. I'll never give my
consent to any such thing. If you
want to marry, go over and ask Sarah
Taylor to have you"
'I'll never do itp'
There was open rebellion at last, the
first time the son had ever questioned
parental authority. Uncle Jerry's first
thought was to lock the boy up In the
smokehouse, the next to threaten to
disinherit him. Then his shrewdness
came to his aid. and he said:
''We won't say no more about 1t just
now, but when we come to have a talk
] guess we can agree"
Three days later he drove up to the
Widow Blair's. He intended to pitch
in so vigorously that the widow and
her daughter would order him off the
place and his son after him. AS he
drove up he saw the widow out In the
orchard and heard her drumming on a
tin pan. He turned In that direction.
he was thinking of how he should
open the matter when something buzz
xed past his ear, and ten seconds later
he found his head in n circling cloud
Of bees One Of the widows hives was
swarming. No matter whether the
bees took him for q rosebush or a sun
flower, they began settling down on
bis head and shoulders. In five min
utes he was almost hidden from sight
and perfectly helpless. One move of
his hand would have resulted In a
thousand stings.
"Well, Uncle jerry" said the widow
as she carefully advanced, 81 was rath-
er expecting you. l am glad you've
come. I suppose you want to talk
about George and Polly getting mar
ried?"
"Y-yea," softly replied the caller. IT
came to say that l have told George 1t
mustn't be-"
''Oh, you did! Well. l quite agree
with you, and yo1 can go back home"
"But how can l goY'
ANY way you wish. If you carry
the bees home. l hope you'll bring
them back tomorrow"
"Dut 1 can't do itp' he walled. 81
dasn't move a foot. If the bees get
mad, I'm dead manr'
"Yes, to be sure, but I've got other
work on hand. don't think you'll
have to stand here over week before
the bees will find the new hive"