uppositions to me he
stammered and stuttered, and was so awfully flustered it did seem as if
he'd never git it out in the world; and I suppose it's ginerally the
case,--at least it has been with all them that's made suppositions to
me: you see they're generally oncerting about what kind of an answer
they're a-gwine to git, and it kind o' makes 'em narvous. But when an
individdiwal has reason to s'pose his attachment's reciperated, I don't
see what need there is o' his bein' flustrated,--though I must say it's
quite embarrassin' to me. Pray continner.

_Mr. C._--Well, then, I want to know if you're willing I should have
Melissy.

_Widow_--The dragon!

_Mr. C._--I hain't said anything to her about it yet,--thought the
proper way was to get your consent first. I remember when I courted
Trypheny we were engaged some time before mother Kenipe knew anything
about it, and when she found it out she was quite put out because I
didn't go to her first. So when I made up my mind about Melissy, thinks
me, I'll do it right this time, and speak to the old woman first--

_Widow_--_Old woman_, hey! That's a purty name to call me!--amazin'
perlite, tew! Want Melissy, hey! Tribble-ation! gracious sakes alive!
Well, I'll give it up now! I always knowed you was a simpleton, Tim
Crane, but, I _must_ confess, I didn't think you was _quite_ so big a
fool. Want Melissy, dew ye? If that don't beat all! What an everlastin'
old calf you must be, to s'pose she'd _look_ at _you_! Why, you're old
enough to be her father, and more, tew; Melissy ain't only in her
twenty-oneth year. What a reedickilous idee for a man o' your age! As
gray as a rat, tew! I wonder what this world _is_ a-comin' tew: 'tis
astonishin' what fools old widdiwers will make o' themselves! Have
Melissy! Melissy!

_Mr. C._--Why, widder, you surprise me. I'd no idee of being treated in
this way, after you'd ben so polite to me, and made such a fuss over me
and the girls.

_Widow_--Shet yer head, Tim Crane; nun o' yer sass to me. _There's_ your
hat on that are table, and _here's_ the door; and the sooner you put on
_one_ and march out o' t'other the better it will be for you. And I
advise you, afore you try to git married ag'in, to go out West and see
'f yer wife's cold; and arter yer satisfied on that p'int, jest put a
little lampblack on yer hair,--'twould add to yer appearance,
undoubtedly, and be of sarvice tew you when you want to flourish round
among the gals; and when y