Danville intelligencer. [volume] (Danville, Pa.) 1859-1907, 1906-08-24

Intellect 1t was even supposed by his
neghbors that he was entirely innocent
of having any of that great force hid
den about his anatomy.
This, however, mattered not, for he
paid court TO Miss Miranda with an
assiduity that was marvellous. Indeed
it was often only after clear and en-
phatic intimations from Mrs. Bilks,
who looked upon his attentions to her
daughter with extreme scorn, that he
took himself off.
Far was it, though, from Mr.. Sharp's
intentions to be discarded and forgot
ten in such a manner, for he invariably
returned the next day to renew his
wooings with increased fervor. This
state of affairs continued for some
time.
At last Mrs. Bllks grew suspicious.
There was Il lurking fear in her mind
that the association of Zeke and Miss
Miranda was more congenial than she
had believed, or, for that matter, more
than they had cared to reveal.
To verify these suspicious Mrs Bilks
ensconced herself behind door near
where the couple sat in order that she
might the better catch the drift of their
conversation. What she heard satisfied
her beyond question that she had sur
missed correctly. With much dispatch,
therefore, she set aside the washtub,
doused the fire under the kettle with
water and, donning her best frock, hur-
ried to the office of the county clerk,
where, with a long pointed finger, she
warned that gentleman not to be 'giv-
in of any licenses to Miranda Bilks
an that rapscallion Xcke Sharp"
Then she returned home in very
complacent humor with herself for hay
hardly prepared, though, for the conse-
quent developments, and it was with
much surprise that she herself received
visit from Zeke Sharp.
Zele tapped lightly on the front
door. Mrs. Bilks answered the knock
and coldly Informed him that "NIran-
dy wasn't to home"
"It be you / wuZ a-wantin' to see
anyways" responded Zeke in n feeble
voice.
At this piece Of news Mrs Bilks
eyes widened perceptibly as she re-
gaSled her caller for a moment. 1t
wasn't necessary, however, for her to
invite him in, for Zeke was already in
and seated.
II shore wuz sorry, Miz Bilks, cause
you wouldn't let me an Mirandy have
them licenses" And Zeke sighed
wearily.
Licenses be fudged"' snapped Mrs.
Bilks "Things air a-comin' to purity
pass when n man wants to lope off
with II gal faint more'n sixteen an
amt never baked bread ner stitched Il
stitch, much less tended to a house
jam full o. chllern, like you already
got. Seems to me you'd a-plcked a wo-
man little higher yer own age an
one what knows how ter do somethin'"
Here Mrs. Bilks smoothed out a gar
ment on the ironing board, took up an
iron and worked industrlously as she
waited for Zeke to reply.
That's jes' what | come to see you
about" replied the meek man. "You
know If our heads wuz set me an MI.
randy could go down to Uornetville an
cit the licenses. Mirandy's Il good GAL
an l think heap of her, but she's so
young an delicate-lke I'm afeard she'd
not set much store by the chillern, an
you know l want somebody that'll be a
| mother to 'em. / thought O. you lots O.
times, AIiz Bilks, cause you're SO chip
| per an handy bout the house, but
didn't s'pose you'd care to take the
'sponsibility."
81 guess you never axed me-" retort-
| ed Mrs. Bilks.
You shore would fill the place." con-
| tlnucd Zeke. You're not more'n thirty
| five
"Jes thirty-four, an / guess they
amt many wimmen that can git aroun'
us spry an do as much work as me nei
ther," flashed Mrs. Bilks proudly.
"If you wouldn't mind" went on
Zeke, 1--WE might as we'll hitch up an
try double harness awhile anyways"
"Now you're atalkin' sense" declar-
ed the widow, "an' they amt no use
a-wastin' time If we're goin' to git mar
red. / reckon that house an them chill
lern air a-needin' attention bad 'nough
now. / guess Mirandy IL ride a high
hoss when she finds we're spliced"
/ Mrs. Bilks flushed to the roots of her
hair.