Carolina watchman. [volume] (Salisbury, N.C.) 1871-1937, 1905-10-25

&IHS [4Hi tlC IChS SSIllS l. q
to tell you about a pla1
I've got in my head
II know what it is" interrupted her
brother, turning pale. Il knew al
about it before 1 came down here"
I'D like to know how" asked Mrs
Green, in great surprise. 81 never told
anybody except John, and I'm sure he
hasn't let it out"
"No. be HASN'T" answered Mr.. Bangs
tBut the minute I read your letter, ]
felt what was in the wind. You didn'1
say in S. many words that you'd got q
match planned out, but l understood il
well enough. Who is it, Selma? Bet
ter set the load off your mind as soon
as possible, I'm prepared to know the
worst" and Mr.. Bangs gave utterance
TO a sigh Of forced resignation.
ITS a widow" answered Selma;
"just the kind of a woman to suit you
'Rastus. 1 do hope you'll be sensible
this time, and not let your foolish bash
fitness spoil your chances of getting 6
good wife"
"A widow!'-Mr. Bangs turned g
.trife paler, and shiyered-"I-I'n
afraid I can't stand this siege, Selma.
I came mighty near knocking under to
that old maid last summer, but 1 was
helped out Of the scrape some way
I've always heard say that a mar
couldn't hold out long against a widow
if she'd got her mind really made up tt
get him"
Don't be a fool. 'Rastus," said he1
sister, tersely. 'Maria's too good fol
you. and, if you know when you're
well eff, you'll make sure of her"
"Maybe she won't be made sure Of
said MI. Bangs, to whom this conver
sation was somewhat alarming.
"Oh, yes, she WILL answered Selma,
"Iye talked with her about matters.
and | know she'd have no objections
Good gracious, SELMA" exclaimed
MI. Bangs, perspiring all over, 'you
don't mean to say that you've actually
talked with this woman about my mar
3ying her, do you? Why, she'll expect
ITO to Go it. il you have, and, if I don't,
she'll be having me up for breach of
pTomise.'
"Of course she expects you to marry
her, and so do l." answered Selma, as
if that settled the matter. BE 4 man,
'Bastus. 1 wouldn't be afraid of the
women, if I were in your place"
> you don't know what you're talk
Ing about said Mr.. Bangs, shaking
his head dolefully. You're a woman,
and can't be expected to know"
"Vell, come down, and let me intro
,Grce you now" said Selma, and she
G1,alIy got him to consent.
II feel like a lamb being led to the
e}aughter," said poor Mr.. Bangs, as
he paused at the parlor door to wipe
lis face. 81 wish 1 were home again,
Selma"
Don't be such a fool, 'Rastus," re-
heated his sister, by way Of encour-
~aseinent, and then he was dragged
p over the threshold, and he remembered
;afterward that something in the shape
OF u woman rose up. and said some
Thing, after Selma had said something.
But what those something were, he
never knew.
When he came to, sufficiently &c
realize what was going on about him
he was alone with the widow. She
wasn't a b%ad-looking onan he had tt
admit. In fact, he rather liked hel
looks.
Well. the result was, he fell in love
with Mrs. Smith. He generally fell il
love with the women Selma selected
as proper subjects for matrimony. Blu
this time he felt so completely done
for that he was sure all his capabilities
for falling in love were exhausted
He would never love again.
At the end Of a week he felt that hi:
love had reached its climax, for h
picked up a rose she had dropped, an(
slept with it under his pillow.
"You poor, old FOOL" he said to him
self the next morning, as he stood be
fore the glass. "To think that you'v'
got spoony enough for that. I'm glat
no one knows it. But the widow i
very attractive, and / don't see as In
40 blame. Il can't help it."
One day Selma and Mrs. Smith wen
out shopping after tea. AS Mr.. Bang
was going through the hall he saw tha
Mrs. Smiths room door stood partl.
open, and an Irresistible impulse t
take just one peep into it came owe:
him. Ee did SO. Hanging over tn
back Of a chair was a walking skirt
and that mysterious article Of feminin'
apparel fascinated him so much that b
Nentured in, and began to examine it.
"Well, now, if that doesn't beat til
Dutch" said MI. Bangs, holding i
up. Il wonder how I'd look i'll such
thing? I'm going to try it on"
Accordingly. he got hold of the belt
and proceeded to invest himself in il