Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1909-05-29
A BACHELORS
LAST CHANCE,
BY ARAsELLA JASON.


Press
Aunt Mary Spooner. widow of Dea-
con Spooner sat on the veranda OF
her house In the village Of Parkville
with some sewing on her lap. when
there was rattle of wheels in the
road, "whoaw from a man driving
q one horse wagon, and she looked up
to catch her breath and exclaim:
Nov. then, IL that amt Sam Bott-
ford, whom | haven't seen for the last
six years, then 1t must be his twin
brother. though I know he never had
anyw
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:
Sam, you are looking worried ana
troubled. and I'm sorry to see II. Is
there anything on your mind that you
want to consult me aboutT
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 for a good spell back and
hadn't anybody to go to for advice.
All at once the other night happened
to think of you. and says to myself,
says !, why not go over and see
Mary Spooner about itr and that's
why I am here"
II hope you are not going to lose
your farm on mortgage"
mo; nothing Of the kind. Mary, I've
got to DO fifty-five years old, and I've
been living alone all these years. I'm
the Oldest old bachelor IN the county.
Ten years ago 1t kinder seemed for
awhile as II you and me was going
to make match Of 1t. but 1t fell
through. The deacon came along, and
you preferred him to me. amt kick
ing about II. He was a good man,
the deacon was, and was sorry when
! heard that you was left wilder.
He's been dead two years or more,
but don't think I've come accounting.
I've got old and shacklety and bald
headed. and know 1t would be no
use to begin talking about turtle
doves to you"
mo. Sam, It wouldn't" was the
quiet reply as the widow breathed a
sigh Of relief.
I'm 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
woman named Grimes. living about
three miles this side Of my farm. She
owns what they call the Plum Tree
farm"
"Yes; know her by sight. So
you've fallen In love with herT
Eyes; my hearts been a-throbbing
for her for the last six months. She
hain't no great shakes as far as looks
go, and wish her hair wasn't so red,
but she's got nice farm there. Mary
a mighty nice farmland she can cook
the best boiled dinner a 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, Samw asked the
widow.
~ popped the question two months
ago. but there's another Teller did the
same thing. He's Abe Johnson. a wild
over. He's about my age and no bet
ter looking, and the widder is hanging
fire as to whether 1t is best for her to
marry an old bach or an old widower.
She says she's got to take time to
think It over"
"And you want to hurry her up?"
That's just II. Mary. You are un-
Outstanding the situation right of.
Yes, want to hurry her up. and
want the decision to be in my favor.
You are a woman and a wilder. You
ought to know what another woman
and wilder would do under certain
circumstances"
Perhaps" was the doubtful reply.
"what are the certain circumstancesT
Jealousy. Mary-jealousy I've had
It all planned out for a week past. and
believe that II you will help me l
can win out as easy as grease. take
1t that Abe and me stand about equal
In the Wilder Grimes affections. It's
like balancing a stick on the top rail
OF fence. Abe can drive oxen and
not swear. and in case the preacher
amt there he can take the lead at a
funeral or prayer meeting. can drive
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 wilder is balancing.
She may balance for a year II some