The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1868-11-04
WIDOW COBB'S FIRST LOVE

The Ere cracked chserfully on the broad
hearth Of the old farm house kitchen, Z cat
and three kittens basked in the warmth
and decrepid yellow dog, lying full in the
reflection Of the yellow blaze, wrinkled his
black nose approvinsly, - he turned hi.
hind feet where his fore feet had been. Over
the chimney hung several fne hams and
pieces of dried beef. Apples were fes,oon-
ed along the ceiling, and crooked neck
squashss yied with red peppers and slips OF
dried pumkins in garnishing each window
frame. There were plants, too, on the win
dow ledges-horse-sho gsraniums and dew
plants, aud monthly rose, just budding, to
say nothing of pots of violets that perfumed
the whole place whenever they took it into
their heads to bloom. The floor was cares
fully swrpt. the chairs had not speck OF
dust upon the leg or round, the long settle
Lear the fireplace sh one as il it had lust been
vanished, and the eight day clock in the
corner had iii white face newly washed.
and seemed deterp ned to tick the louder
for it. Two arm chairs we're drawn up at 3
coy distance som the hearth and each
othtr; = candle. = newspaper. a pair Of spec,
tacles, dsh ef rsd-cheeked apples and
pitcher of cider, filed little table between
them. On one of the chairs sat comforta>
bic looking woman Of about foriy-6vo, with
cheeks as red IS apples, and eyes as dark
aud as bright as they had ever been, resting
her hand, looked thoughtfully into 'the ere.
This WAS the widow Cobb-.'relictn Of Dea,
con Lew Cobb, who had been mouldering in
the dust in the Bytown churchyard for more
then seven years. She WAS II king of her
dead husband, probably because--her work
heing done, and the servant gone to bed
the sight Of his emp,ied chair at the other
side Of the table, and the silence ofthe room
made her little lonely.
Seven years!' 30 the widows revert,
ran. ut seems ~ If twas more than fifty
and yet don't look SO very old either.
Perhaps it's not having any children to bother
my life out, ns other people have. They
may say what they like, children are more
plague than proft-that's my opinion. Look
at my sister Jerusha with der six boys,
She g worn to the shadow, and l. m sure they
have done il, though she will never own it..
The widow took an apple from the dish
and began to peel it.
How dreadful fond Mr.. Cobb used to be
Of these gratis. He will never eat any more
ofthem, poor fellow, for don't suppose thew
have any apples where he s gone to. Heigho
! remember well how used to throw apple
parings over my head when was a girl. 10
see who WAS going to marry
Mrs. Cobb stopped short and blushed. In
those days she did not know Mr.. Cobb,
and abe Was always looking eagerly to see if
the peel had formed capital S. Her medi-
tation took new turn.
"How handsom Sam Papson was. and how
much used to care for him. Jerusha saws
he went away from our village Just after
did, and no one has heard Of him since.
And what silly thing that quarrel was. If
it had not been for that
Eere come long pause, during which the
widow looked very steadfastly at the EMMY
armchair of Levi Cobb, deceased. Her I'm.
gers played cars!essly with the apple pairing
she drew it slowly towards her, aud looked
around TIE room.
Upon my word it is very ridiculous, and
! don know, what the neighbors would say
1t they saw me-
sun the plump fingers drew the peel nearer
but they cant see me-that's comfort
and the cat and old Bowse will never know
what it means. OF course l don't bailey.
ANYTHING about it.
The pairing hung gracefully from her hand
"But still, | should like to try it would
seem like old times, and"-
Over her head it went, and curled up oui.
city en- the floor at little distance; old
bowse who always slept with one eye open
So" ~ iaiii 0uu mA1Cneu Qe10ef0teiY up to
NELL it.
'.Bowse, Bowse, don't touch itr' cried hi.
mistress; and bending over With beating
heart, she turned a. red ~ ere, There va
Is handsome capital s ~ ono could wish to
see. -
=, ioud knock came suddenly at the door. |
The dog growled, and the widow screamed
and sna.ched up the apple pairing.
"Its Mr., Cobb; IFS his spirit coma bacl
again because | tried that silly trick sbe
thought fearfnlly to herself.
Another knock, louder than the fr.t and
q mans voice exclaimed:
"Hillo. the house!''
WHO is it said the widow somewhat 70.
iieyed to find that the departed Levi Wa,
still safe IN his grave upon the hill side.
A stranger said the voice,
"What do you want
ITO get lodging bore for the night
The widow deliberrsed.
Cant you 70 Oh Mess a house half q
mile further 90 ifyou keep to the right hand
sids Of the road, and turn 70 the left after
yon get By
Its raining cats and dogs, and I'm very
dehcAse, aid the stranger, coughing, .srm
vet % the skin. Don't you think you can