Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1909-04-15
ABashful Wooing


One day Gala nifty came. Two hives
of bees started to swarm ut once. Inc
widow rushed out and began hammer
ing on a pan and got the bees to alight
for the nonce, but that was az far as
she could 80. She stood yelling TOT
help when help came. A traveller on
the highway stopped and hitched his
horse and walked up the path. He
saw what should be done, and he went
aheud and did it. In quarter OF an
hour he had the sWarms III the new
hives. and after look at the others
Informed the widow that 1t would be
several days yet before they would
come out. she had time to look at MIN
while he was at work, and she rather
liked his looks. So far as she could
make out he hardly glanced ut her, ana
he certainly had but few words 10
say. When he had finished his work
he looked over her head, said lie was
clad to have been Of use and took Ills
departure. The widow had saved the
bees, but she was piqued. Any WIDOW
would have been.
Three or four days later the other
hives swurmed and were taken care OF
by the hired men. Then the stranger
appeared again to ask how the insects
were getting along. He seemed EN-
barrassed and In hurry and refused
the invitation to enter the house. tie
also appeared to look everywhere else
but ut the widow. Her hair was nicely
combed, her apron snow white ana her
cheeks like roses, but he paid more
attention to the pear tree ana Inc soup
kettle and the summer squashes imam
to her. He just wanted to know, you
know, and was glad to find out ana
then was gone.
OF course a widow that had turned
down dozen offers OF matrlmohy
could not do otherwise than look alter
the retreating stranger ana LOSS hel
head and say that he was man thnt
did not appreciate good thing New
ertheless she made some cautious IN
ouiries Of the hired men and IN that
way found out that he was new res
tdent Of Ellenton, but no more.
Then another week passed and the
stranger called to say that ne was
looking around to purchase gooa
farm, and he wished to inquire II the
widows was for sale. On this occa'
sion he entered the house, but evident
" with reluctance. He was certainly
q bashfu man. In that lie was nov
city. When Deacon Graham, WIDOW
er, came to buy the farm year DE-
fore he had stood In the Kitchen door
and boldly announced:
"Widder Winchell, Im a-loOking 10
buy a farm. II you 60 with this, III
pay $40 an acre.
That meant $50 an acre for the farm
and SO an acre for her, ana, though
blunt way Of putting 1t. she was not
30 very indignant The stranger, VINO
had at last introduced himself as MI.
Bingham. threw out no hint OF want
ing anything but the farm. Most any
widow would have felt the slight. Ana
then, too, when she had replied That
the farm was not for sale he at once
rose up to depart without speaking Vi
how wheat and corn We're looking up
or casting II second glance III the DUR
rel of soft soap she had made the Gay
lefore aud left at the kitchen door 10
cool. 1t hurt and 1t aggravated MI.
bingham might be bushful man, Dut
there are times when even basnlui
man should force himself to talk
Two weeks passed away, ana then
as the widow sat Oh the piazza one
afternoon looking 30 nice that Farmer
Johnson's mouth Watered as lie droNe
mast Mr.. Bingham called again. lhls
time ii was to see II the widow hau
n COW TO sell. He was invited to slt
dawn. and COWS We're discussed. lie
was looking away into the garden III
stead of at the woman, as lie Sought
10 do his share of the discussing, Inc
widow had no cows to sell, but she
didn't say so. She left the Impression
ON the callers mind that IT he came
arain he might possibly buy one. She
iumued from cows to calves ana from
calves to sheep and lambs in hopes 10
detuin him. but he got away US soon
as possible Others had SAT around
until fairly driven out OF the house
with the broomstick, Others had Dold-
" 6attered, but he had said nothing
in praise. The widow tossed her head
aud said she didn't care, but We know
she did. just the same.
At the end of another ten days the
bnshful Mr. Bingham was back to
ask If the widow would sell him a
hog or two with the cow. She was
sitting Oh he veranda again. ana, as
before, he was invited 10 take seat
When he had done so she moved So
as to hem him in and said:
Nov, sir, look me square IN the
face. Are you widower: do you
want to buy a farmi DO you want 10
buy COW aud some hogs? DO you
want to buy hens or ducks! Are you
after Limbs or ganders?
Mr.. Bingham blushed aud east down
his eyes nlu tidgeted around, and the
widow continued;
IF yon are widower and after II
wire, why con you say 81 anu SNc
us both II show? Lord. man, haven't
you any spunIT
"Wlll you marry meT he bluntly
demanded.
Coed. That's the way 10 talk.
Marry you? Well I've liked you ever
since the day | saw you handle those
bees. aud I'll take the proposal under
consideration Cows for sale! No
Hogs for sale? no All live stock
goes with the farm. including me, aud
It's II bargain for some one. even If
d" say It,"
The bashfu wooer has thought so,
too ever since the wedding day