The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1909-05-28
A BACHELOR'S
LAST CHANCE,
BY ARABELLA JASON.
copyrighted. 1909. by Associated Llterar,
Press

her house In the village of Pnrkville
with some sewing ON her lap, when
there was rattle of wheels In the
road, "Whoaw from man driving
one horse wagon, and she looked up
to catch her breath and exclaim:
Nov. then, If that amt Sam Bott-
ford, whom | haven't seen for the last
six years, then II must be his twin
brother. though know he never had
anyw
1t was Gam. 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 and
troubled, and I'm sorry to see 1t. Is
there anything on your mind that you
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 for 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 it? and that's
why am here"
81 hope you are not going to lose
your farm on a mortgage"
mo; nothing of the kind. Mary. I've
got to be fifty-fve 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 n match of 1t, but II fell
through. The deacon came along. and
you preferred him to me. | amt kick
ing about 1t. He was q good man,
the deacon was, and | was sorry when
l heard that you was left a 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 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 a
sigh of relief.
"ln fact, Mary. Pm sorter bound to
another woman-another widder-nnd
I'm not the man to be cavorting around
after two wilder 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"
Eyes; / know her by sight. Sc
you've fallen in love with herY
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 do n 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.
Il 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 it is best for her tc
marry an old bach or an old widower
She says she's got to take time tC
think it over"
And you want to hurry her up"
That's just it. Mary. You are un
Outstanding the situation right off
Yes, | want to hurry her up. and
want the decision to be in my favor
You are woman and a wilder. Yor
ought to know what another woman
and wilder would do under certain
circumstances
"Perhaps." was the doubtful reply
What are the certain circumstances
jealousy, Mary-jeaouSy I've hat
1t all planned out for week past. anC
believe that if you will help me
can win out as easy us grease. take
1t that Abe and me stand about equa
in the Wilder Grimes affections. IT,
like balancing a stick on the top raj
of a fence Abe can drive oxen unC
not swear. and in case the preacher
amt there he can take the lead at {
funeral or prayer meeting. ! can drive
a hog out Of the garden without yen
ing to he heard mile away, and
have made two speeches on the Fourtl
Of July It's about an even thing he
= twceu us The wilder Is balancing
She may balance for a year If some
thing hain't done Something is goini
to be done I'm going to appeal TO he
= jealousy. I'm going to make her thinl
: she's lost me forever"
But jusr how"
That's where you come In. Mary
You'll set II day. and I'll drive oYe
here and get you. I'll drive you pas
the farm and back She'll surely Sc,
us She'll see us sorter cuddled up &
eao h other and talking contidentiaIly
Right in front of her house she'll Sc,
my arm stealing around your waist
and wen both be looking as happy a
all outdoors, The demon OF jealousy
, as they call IT, will bubble up In he
heart at once. and she'll feel that sh,