Rensselaer Republican, Volume 12, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 February 1880 — Leap Year’s Difficulties. [ARTICLE]

Leap Year’s Difficulties.

He was a nice young man, with cane, high hat and patent-leather boots. He strolled leisurely down Fourth avenue, puffing daintily upon a cigarette, and occasionally twirling tjie waxed ends of his moustache. He 4as accosted by a stout woman with a florid complexion. “Top of the mornin’ to ye, Mister Charley,” said she. “Good morning, Mrs. McGuinness,” said the nice young man. “Me darlint boy, would ye ——” and she bestowed a bewitching smile upon him. He dodged out of her reach. The recollection that it was Leap Year rushed upon him. He answered: “ Madame—really—l can’t—l am very sorry if I cause you pain—but my affections have already been bestowed upon another—and, madame—l can’t—l can’t marry you.” She gazed at him in astonishment, and then said, indignantly: “Who axed ye to marry me? The idea of the likes of me, a poor, lone widdy, wid four children to support by washin', axin’ ye to marry me. I was only goin’ to ax ye for that dollar for washHe sighed and gave her a dollar, and walked sadly away.— N. Y. Sun.

—At Franklin, La., on January 14, Sidney Cole, aged about nineteen years, owner of three-fourths of the Chatsworth plantation, rode up to the gate of J. B. Woflord, manager of the plantation, and informed Wofford he had come to kill him. Wofford expostulated in vain. Cole dismounted and advqpced, pistol in hand, toward the house. Mrs. Wofford, :< realizing the danger of her husband, called out to Wofford to arm himself, which he did by seizing a shot-gun, and, stepping out, confronted Cole, who continued to advance, saying: “1 have come to kill you, curse you. I mean business.” Whereupon Wofford remarked to him: “If you mean business, here it is,” at the same time discharging his weapon, the load taking effect in the breast of Cole, killing nim instantly. Wofford immediately surrendered to the Sheriff, but was afterward discharged from custody, the Coroner’s jury having returned a verdict of excusable homicide.