Norwich bulletin., 1913-11-25

Stephen Hackett was a bachelor, 3S years old. and a carpenter by trade. There Is always little curiosity as to old bachelors and old maids. The query of "Nhy don't they get mar 1 r1ed?'' is always a live one The reason stephen didn't get mar rfed was because he was always a little too late. When he had come across woman he felt he could love he discovered that some one else was loving her and had the promise of her hand in marriage.
 Stephen Haekett had come. over to the town of I1ilIcFest to work at his trade Tne frst job was building 2 line fence between the deacon's va cant lot and one owned by the Widow Nixon. No measurements had been taken but the dividing line had been guessed al. Therefore, when the car penter found, a dead apple tree in his path he cut It down. Three hours later he was sued for the sum of S25. He went to the deacon's house to state the fact.
 Was that apple tree on the widows landa 2" he asked.
 T dunno"
 But you ought to have known"
 Yes, I 'spose 1 had, but 1 didn't think there'd be any fuss raised if we got foot over onto her line"
 What sort of a woman is she?
  tea and coffee but she's leetle techy"
 Dye think I'd better see her about this suit?'
 T don't think it would do any good The widow has sued you because you was workin for me. You see. we don't agree
 But why didn't you say so ?p
 T forgot to. You see, the widder believes in sprinklin' and I believe in immersion, and we can never agree as to which saves the most souls"
 You'd better cut the water out en- tirely and be neighbors,' advised Stephen as he started off to call on the widow
 She was at home and he introduced sort of S woman I'd get married he said.
 Sir" she gasped.
 T am an even-tempered and low ing man"
 I've got enough in the bank to buy a little home, and it's time settled down and took some comfort. I know ybu will excuse me when l say I am pleased with your looks"
 Sir, are you crazy" the widow demanded.
 No maam I'm just speaking a word in advance, as it were"
 You are most impudent sir, and"
 If it was a man suing me for that dead apple tree I'd tell him to go to, but with woman, and especially a widow it's different You'll get beat en because Deacon Hardy is the right party to sue lou will have to show that a dead apple tree bears apples. You will be asked if you don't quar- rel with your neighbors. You will be asked if your deceased husband was not glad to die.'
 The widow was speeches. with sur prise and anger.
 And, worst of all. mam-worst of all for you, you will be asked your age! Yes, nam they will ask it, and you must answer or go to jail for contempt take it that you are under 40, and I am sure that your do, and what a sensation it will create when you have to swear to 43 or IA
 The widow Nixon turned pale and sat down.
 You believe in sprinkling instead of immersion" continued the carpen- ] ter. What will folks say if you take ] me into court. me believing the same?"
 And later on do you want folks to say that you sued me before 1 would 1 marry you? They always get things mixed up, you know. You can never l make anybody believe that you sued l me for a dead apple tree.
 Sir, what is all this talk?" de- manded the woman as she suddenly ] found her voice.
 We are talking about line fences, l lead apple trees. sprinkling, lawsuits l and getting married. Think it over, 1 it over. l am 8 fair l minded man and will not take advan- l age of you.''
 With that he walked out of the ] house. The widow first shed tears of | anger. Then she smiled. Then she | aughed. Then she went down to the i awyer she had employed and said she 1 guessed she would withdraw the suit. l
 T think it's better" he replied. We 1 ,an'tprove anything but a dead ap- ] ole tree, and, anyhow, Deacon Hardy l s the man we ought to have sued"
 It thus came about that MT. Hack 1 ett heard no more of the suit. For 1 -wo weeks he heard no more of the i widow either. Then he got an idle day md started off fishing. It was also an easy day for Mrs. Nixon, and she l concluded to visit a friend mile l away. To shorten the distance she 1! made a cut across the fields, and in l climbing a rail fence a silver caught ler dress in such a way as to hold her 1 fast as if she had been nailed down. 1 The carpenter heard her cries for help l from where he was angling, and he aastened to her aid and began:
 T suppose you have thought over what 1 said the other day?"