Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1905-10-26
WHEN ABNER HUSTLED.

Abner Hope, "A years old, 1--we q
on q farm just out of Melville, with
his sister for housekeeper. Adjoin-
ing his farm was that of the Widow
Williams. She was 35 years old but
she moved around with the step of a
girl. She had only put of her
mourning when Abner fell in love
with her.
The widow was looked upon as a
catch by more than one, and Abner
had to brush aside three widowers,
two old bachelors and young man
or two before he stood in the front
row.
Abner Hope was what some folks
called poke. He wasn't lazy, but
he was easy going. He intended to
take the widow under his arm in due
time and clear away the line of fences
between the two farms, but he didn't
see any special hurry about it.
The widow had said that if she ever
married again she would insist on
bridal tour lasting at least two weeks,
and he had to figure as to the most
convenient time for sparing those two
weeks from the farm. He also want
ed to study the widow and make sure
that she was what she seemed, and it
was also a pleasant thing to sit with
her on the veranda and talk romance
and love. There were many reasons
for letting things drag along.
Abner never had popped the ques-
tion and been answered with "Yes,
although it was tacitly understood
that there was an engagement. One
evening he strolled over in his easy
way to find the widow in a snappy
frame of mind. Sbe had been doing
up preserves that day and burned
her hand. Her greeting was not as
ELUSIVE as usual, but that did not
disturb Abner in the least. He sat
down and began to talk about the
corn crop, and the widow stood it for
ten minutes before she snapped out:
"Look here, Abner Hope, do you
know that folks are talking about
us2"
II hadn't heard anything in par
ticular."
"Well, l have. Mrs. Richerds
told me today that the whole neigh
borhood was wondering why you
came here 80 often"
Why-whY, l come courting, of
course. l thought everybody knew
that" was the surprised answer.
"And what has come of it ?"
Nothing as yet, but as soon as 1
can get around to it I'm going to ask
you to marry me. l suppose you
understand that"
"Mr. Hope" replied the widow as
she looked up with flashing eyes,
"you needn't waste your breath ask-
ing me to marry you.
"Why, Mary, what's come over
you all to once ?"
81 am Mrs. Williams, if you please,
and as l am very busy this'evening l
hope you will excuse me. D."
"Do you mean that you are going
to marry someone else p asked Alb
ner after moments thought.
"My business is my own cir.
Don't be dodo, Mary"
"How dare you to talk to me this
way 2 Sir, bid you good evening !"
She rose up and entered the house,
and after sitting around for half an
hour Abner took a slow departure
and made his way homeward. AS he
thought matters over his conscience
told him that he was derelict. He
should have settled the matter weeks
before and been ready to get married
as soon as corn-husking was over.
The result of his deliberations was
that he would let day or two pass
to smooth down the widows temper
and then call and ask her to set the
day. He realized that he loved her,
but he didn't perspire over the thought
Of losing her.
1t SO happened that Abner had to
go to town on lawsuit for couple
of days and that he was extra busy
with work on the farm, and it was
week before be made his next visit to
the widows.
He found that things had changed.
She was entertaining man about 40
years old, whom she introduced as
Mr.. Simpson, and it was plain from