Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1860-03-15
A Disconsoiatc widow.

After nine miles Of the most lonesome, |
drcary and hilly road that ever mortal
man travelled came in sight Of what |
supposed to be the widows house. 1t
was low cabin at the foot of the hill,
with tremendous oak in front Of it. Il
saw somebody sitting under the tree, and,
as | approached nearer, discovered that
it was woman, with her face buried in
her hands, and weeping violently. As
soon as | reached the spot, / addressed
her somewhat in the following manner:
81 do not wish to be impertnent, mad
am, but / feel some concern to know what
is tia matter with you?"
.Oh! boo-hoo-ee! Hoo ooo-hoo-hoo"
"My dear madam, what is the matter?
/ demanded, becoming really concerned
at the manner in which she was acting
She kept up her agony Of distress, while
group of six or seven children began to
come from the neighboring bushes and
gather closely around her.
MADAM" L cried, "in the name of
all that's good, tell me what ais you!'
ooh, stranger" she exclaimed, rails
ing her eyes, bloodshot with weeping,
"my--boo-h -hoo-hus-boo-ban is-boo-hoo
-deadl" and she again relapsed into her
fit of weeping. | was truly affected by
the poor woman's distress, and, though
poor sinner myself, / could not re-
frain from offering her some consolation
My dear madam, do not give up in
f distress. Heaven has promised to be a
husband to the widow and father to the
fatheress. Cheer up. my good woman;
, the cloud may be dark, but the Gun will
eventually dissipate it. You may have
to labor hard for your children, but
Heaven will aid YOU
. THAT arn't nothing, stranger" ex-
claimed the woman, "as fur the children,
havn't got but seventeen, an | make
support for thin easy enough. Heaven
mount be my husband, an l has no
doubt he'd make mighty good husband
but l want sure nuf husband, real
live one like my poor John was afore he
died. Poor John-poor John! Oh, me!
q boo-hoo-e -ee-ee"
When | had listened to this speech,
there was something SO absolutely and
, purely original in its ridiculous ideas that
could not help laughing at the mourner
AS soon as possible | recovered myself
and changed my tactics.
"Well, madam" said, ''if that's all
for Heavens sake don't give yourself any
more trouble. There are plenty of men
in the world; surely you can get another
husband"
: ~ mount get another husband, stran-
ger, but, OIL couldn't find nary mother
like John--poor John!-poor John! oh,
, me-boo-hoo- -eel'
d "What was there remarkable about
0 him, ma'am? If he was uncommonly
e likely, there are plenty of handsome men
t left in the world. If he was an extraor-
: dinary strong man, know of some gi.
o ants in strength. Was he good, kind
e and gentle, there are such still left upon
e earth? Was he man of extraordinary
intellect, wisdom or genius, depend upon
o it there are others equal to him. Depend
Y upon it, that no matter what extra gift
/ he may have possessed, with patience and
f diligence you may find another to smooth
y the rough way of life for you, and fill the
r vacancy vhich distresses you So"
/ "Oh, stranger" returned the woman,
e 81 know it's your kind heartedness what
l makes you speak SO, but faint worth
while; John wasn't nothin' extraor or'nary
= in none O them things as you speak of
p But still never, no never! know | can
S never find the likes o John again on
!, yurth. Oh, John.-poor John!-boo-
hoo -eep
n "Well, madam, have guessed till I'm
k tired What was there about John sc
II very remarkable"
s "Markbull?" she exclaimed; "why
l. stranger, John was the best fiddler on
o yurth. How he would lay back behind
e his fiddle, and roll his beautiful heat
: about from side to side, as he played
"Sugar in de Gourd,' Pig in de Tatul
! Patch 'Old Dan Tucker and all then
% tunes! just to think! 1t ha'nt been &
l. month since he sit right here under this
S, tree and played for me while got NJ
and danced just this way to that good
old tune
" "Oh, she wouldn't and she couldn't, and sh,
= woIldn't come at all !
:. TIE um tum didle DUN doodle addey dayn'
~ And here the woman jumped up and GU
10 two or three difficult steps-half way be
70 tween the pigeon wing and the old Vir
ginia back step-whilc she sang the abov
t. tune? then falling, she screamed in ag
D ony of distress
I "And now he's gone!--dead! Oh
i me-"
J. I gazed at the woman for one moment
n and then | told her | knew some very
IS good fiddlers. She Immediately becam,
l. calm, and looking up into my face witt
II an inquiring glance, she said
II stranger, maybe you is good fd
g. dler; Pll go and get Johns Fiddle!'
n And off she started for the house. Al
! soon as she was out Of sight, l strucl
! spurs to my horse.
., Few understand the depth of such feel
"a ing as that.
Is LORD BACON frequently told the follow
y lowing:
a. A proud, lazy Young fellow once cam,