The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-10-03

COUNTY"
him that if he did I'd never give him
as much as a peck of potatoes. Lordy,
but how some young men make fools
of themselves"
"But what's wrong about his mar
rying her" 1 asked.
"Why, she'd lead him around by the
nose like a calf"
"What else?"
"she's red headed and always hay
ing lawsuits"
go on"
"And she's wobbly in her religion.
And-and she chops wood like a mani"
continued Bills father, with a triumph
ant air. Eyes, sir, she spits on her
hands and goes 'Ha! as she strikes,
and they say she can stand On a log
and chop with any man in this county.
Think of the idea of Bill marrying a
woman like that"
Anything more?"
Eyes, there's lots more, but I can't
think Of it just 10Y It's scandalous,
Abe-regular scandalous, and I've been
wanting to see you about it. You are
a big man, amt you!"
zone of the very biggest, Mr.. Taylor.
l carry the rural mail over a route
twenty-eight miles long, and everything
meet the president Of the United States
on the highway he'd have to turn out
for me if | said so. The American flag
flies yer me as | drive, and when the
weather is not too bad the American
eagle flies before me and screams out
to let everybody know that I'm coming.
There may be Il OIL two bigger men
on earth than l am, but if SO I don't
know where they are"
That's what / thought" said the
farmer as he started to take off his
hat to me. And I want you to see Bill
as you drive by the barn and talk to
him. Tell him this thing has got to
stop. Tell him you'll order out the
whole United States army if it don't.
Talk to him straight from the shoulder,
Abe, and save this family from an aw-
full tragedy. I told him jest before I left
home that the wilder vas making a
fool of him, and I've had some one tell
her that he made fun of her red hair,
and il you only clip in now Bill will
be saved"
When I reached the Taylor place it
was so near noon that I baited the
horse and got a bite for myself, and
then I took Bill in hand and said:
How is it about you and the Widow
Jonesy"
II love her, Abe. and am going to
marry her"
won't nothing turn you"
"Not even earthquakes. Dad is sot
and nam is sot, but that makes no diff
ference to me. I'm glad you come
along. I want TO send word to her that
dred years"
How would you like to say so in po-
etryr
"WiIl you do it for me, Abe-will you
do ft?" he asked as he gripped nay
hand and shook 1t. IF you'll write
som poetry for me and take it to her
III agree to keep you in taters and tur-
nips for life"
We went TO his room. and he got me
a sheet Of fodlscap and pencil and pa
per. and | wrote:
Oh. Widow Jones. I love thee still;
owe thee with a love
That can't be busted here or earth
Nor yet in realms above.
They say FOUR hair Is red. my love.
But don't I better know?
Can I net see the auburn shade
To match the sunsets glow2
They say you'll lead me by the nose,
And you'l the trousers wear.
But Amt I willing to be led
By one so plump and fatr2
They say you stand upon a log
And. manlike. chop away.
But we win chop together, love,
When comes that happy day
! Oh. Widow Jones. SO passing fai-.
Be ever loving true,
And don't forget our loving BIZ.
Who'll Ger be true to you
abe" said Bill when / had finished
and read the verses to him. 81 can't
1885,