Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1906-02-17
Wben Homer
Dustled
By c. B. LEWIS
copmiont. ros. b. McchU,. Philips & Go.

Joining his farm was that of the Wild
pw Williams. She was thirty five years
pld. but she moved around with the
step of Il girl. She had only put of her
mourning when Abncr fell Ia love with
her
The widow was looked upon as
catch by more than one. and Abncr had
to brush aside three widowcrs, two old
bachelors aud "A young man or two be
fore lie stood in the front row.
Abncr Hope was what some folks
call poke lie wasn't lazy. but he
was easy going He intended 10 take
the widow under his arm In due time
and clear away the line Of fences be-
tween the two farms, but he didn't see
any special hurry about IL.
The widow had said that II she ever
married again she would insist on u
bridal tour lasting AT least two weeks.
and he had to figure ms TO the most
convenient time for spnring those two
weeks from the farm lie also wanted
10 study the widow and make sure that
she was what she seemed. and II was
also Il pleasant thing To sit with her on
the vcranda aud talk romance and
love. There We're many reasons for let
ting things drag along
Abncr never had popped the question
and been answered with yes" al
though y was tacitly understood that
there Wa, IN engagement. One even
ing h. strolled over in his easy way to
find the widow in snappy frame OF
mind. She had been doing up pre-
serves that day and burned her hand.
Her greeting was not rs ELUSIVE rs
usual. hut that did not disturb Abner
in the least He sat down and began
TO talk about the corn crop and the
widow stood II for ten minutes before
she snapped out:
Look here, Abner Hope DO you
know that folks are talking about u.s."
II hadn't heard anything in particu-
lar"
well. have. Mrs Richards told me
today that the whole neighborhood
was wondering why you came here so
often"
"Why why. ! come ACQUIRING. OF
course. thought everybody knew
that" was the surprised answer.
And what has come of iti'
"Nothng rs yet but as soon as can
get around to II I'm going To ask you
to marry me. suppose you under
stand that.
MIR. Hope" replied the widow as
she looked up with flushing eyes. you
needn't waste your breath asking Inc
to marry YOU"
"Why. Mary. what's come over you
all ut once
II am Mrs Williams. II you please.
and as | am very busy this evening |
hope YOU will excuse me-"
'l)o YOU mean that YOU are going to
marry some one elsef" asked Abner
after II moments thought.
MY business is my own. sir"
Don't bc n dodo, Mary"
"IIow dare You talk 10 me this way?
Sir. bid YOU good evening"
She rose up and entered the house.
and after sitting around for half an
hour Abner took slow departure and
made his way hOmeward As he
llbuEHl lllllttIN DNfT HIS tbilSfltntt
told him that he was dcrclct. He
should have settled the matter weeks
before and been ready To get married
as soon rs 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 10 set the day. He realized
that he loved her. but he didn't per
spire over the thought of losing her.
II so happened that Abncr had to go
10 town on a lawsuit for couple OF
days and that he was extra busy with
work on the farm. and II was week
before he made his next visit to the
widows.
He found that things had changed.
She was entertaining man about forty
years old whom she introduced as Mr..
Simpson and IL was plain from Mr..
Simpsons attitude that he was much
attracted.
Abner was formally introduced as
Mr.. Hope. and the widow conversed
with him as IL they had seldom met.
Mr.. Simpson was engaged In driving
wells, putting up wire fencing and
erecting windmllls. and Abner dis
covered that he had Il rival Indeed.
Mr. Simpson was more than n rival.
lie was now the man inside.
Abncr Hope went home to wake up.
There WAS Il feeling IN his heart that
he had never felt before that Of jeal-
ousy. II made him stir himself Bright
and early next morning he went over
10 the next farm to borrow n hoe and
incidentally 10 ask the widow To set the
day. but she was not 10 he seen
lie called three times that week, but
had no luck Then he lay In walt TO
pound Mr. Simpson. Fortunately for
the drive well man. he carried a gun.
and when he exhibited II Abner backed
off like II sensible man. Within two
weeks It was reported that Mrs. VIII
liams and MIR Simpson would make n
match Of II ana that the engagement
would be brief Abner Hope thought
fast AMI moved fast lie was deter
mined not To give the widow up but