Connecticut western news., 1909-05-27
A BACHELORS
 LAST CHANCE.
By ARABELLA JASON.

ner house i'll the village of ParkVille with some sewing on her lap, when there was a rattle of wheels in the road, "Whoar from man driving a one horse wagon. and she looked up to catch her breath and exclaim:
 Now, then, if that aint Sam Bott- ford, whom haven't seen for the last six years, then it must be his twin brother, though I know he never had anyr
 It was Sam. He hitched his horse and entered the gate, and they were soon shaking hands and asking about each others health. A chair was brought out for him. and after some general talk the widow said:
 san. yCu are looking worried and troubled. and I'm sorry to. see it. Ts there anything on your mind that ycu want to consult me about?'
 There is. Mary" he replied. That's the reason why I've come over to see you after all this time. Yes, I've been worried flor a good spell back and hadn't anybody to go to for advice. All at once the other night I happened 10 think of you, and I says to myself. says l, Why not go over and see Mary Spooner about 1t? and that's why I am here"
 Il hope you are not going to lose your farm on a mortgage"
 No; nothing of the kind. Mary, I've tn hn been living alone all these years. I'm the oldest old bachelor in the county. Ten years ago it kinder seemed for awhile as If you and me was going to make a match of it, but it fell through. The deacon came along, and you preferred him to me. ain't kick ing about it. He was a good man, the deacon was, and I was sorry when l heard that you was left a widder. but don't think I've come accounting. I've got old and shacklety and bald headed, and I know it would be no use to begin talking about turtle doves to you"
 "No, Sam, it wouldn't" was the quiet reply as the widow breathed sigh of relief
 Tn fact, Mary, I'm sorter bound to another woman-another widder-and I'm not the man to be cavorting around after two widder women at once. She's a woman named Grimes, living about three miles this side of my farm. She owns what they call the Plum Tree farm"
 "Yes; I know her by sight. So you've fallen in love with her?'
 Yes; my hearts been a-throbbing for her for the last six months She hain't no great shakes as far as looks go, and 1 wish her hair wasn't so red, but she's got nice farm there, Mary a mighty nice farm-and she can cook the best boiled dinner q hungry man ever sat down to. We agree on the Bible, on the best way to smoke hams, on having wire screens to the winders In summer-on everything but one, and that is what is bothering me and why I've come over to see you"
 And what's that, Sam?" asked the widow.
 'T popped the question two months ago. but there's another feller did the same thing He's Abe Johnson, a wid- over. He's about my age and no bet ter looking, and the widder is hanging fire as to whether it Is best for her to marry an old bach or an old widower. She says she's got to take time to think 1t over"
 And you want to hurry her up"
 That's just it, Mary. You are un- derstanding the situation right off. Yes, I want to hurry her up, and 1 want the decision to be in my favor. You are a woman and a widder. You ought to know what another woman and widder would do under certain circumstances
 Perhaps" was the doubtful reply. What are the certain circumstances p
 Jealousy. Mary-jealousy. I've had it all planned out for a week past, and I believe that if you will help me can win out as easy as grease. I take it that Abe and me stand about equal in the Widder Grimes affections. It's like balancing a stick on the top rail of a fence Abe can drive oxen and not swear. and in case the preacher ain't there he can take the lead at a funeral or prayer meeting. l can drive a hog out of the garden without yell ing to be heard a mile away, and l have made two speeches on the Fourth of July. It's about an even thing be- tween us. The widder is balancing. She may balance for year if some thing hain't done Something is going to be done I'm going to appeal to her jealousy. I'm going to make her think she's lost mo forever"
 But just how"
 That's where you come in, Mary. You'll set q day, and I'll drive over here and get you. I'll drive you past the farm and back. She'll surely see us. She'll see us sorter cuddled up to each other and talking confdentially. Right in front of her house she'll see my arm stealing around your waist, and we'll both be looking as happy as all outdoors. The demon of jealousy. as they call it. will bubble up in her heart at once. and she'll feel that she loves me only and must have me or