Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1870-03-17

"Why, there is twice the number o
widders that there is widderers here 81
the p int That was what was in my
mind" said Captain Ben, in q tene o
meek apology. "There is the Widow
Keens, she that was Azubah Muchmore
/ don't know but what she would do
Lyddy used TO think everything Of her
and she is first rate of hOusekeeper.'
"Perhaps So" assented Mrs. Davids
obviously. But she is troubled sigh
with the head complaint; suppose you
know she is. That is against her"
EYES," asscnted Miss Tame. "Tht
Muchmores all have weak heads. And
too, the Widow Keens, she's had fal
lately. She was up in chair cleaning
her top buttery shell, and somehow one
| Of the chair legs give way-it was loose
or something, / expect-and down she
went her whole heft. She keeps about,
but she goes with two slaves"
al want to know if that is 3d." raid
Captain Ben, his honest soul warming
with sudden sympathy. THE wilder
has seen sight of trouble"
Yes, she has lived through good
deal, that woman has. / couldn't live
through so much, pears to me; but we
don't know what we can live through"
rejoned Miss Tame.
Captain Ben did not reply, but his
ready feet began to move TO and fro rest
lessly; for his heart, more ready yet, had
already gone out toward the unfortunate
widow.
at Is 80 bad for a woman to be Alone"
said he to himself, shambling along the
shingly beach moment after. Nobody
TO mend her chairs or split up her kind
lings or do n chOre for her and she lame
into the bargain! 1t is too bad"
"He has steered straight for the Widow
Keens', as sure as A is apple dumnhngs."
remarked Miss Persis, peering after him
from the window.
"Well, | must admit l wouldn't have
thought Of Captain Bans being enam-
cred after such sickly piece Of bust
ness. But men never know what they
want Won't you just hand me that gum
camphyer bottle, now you are up, 1t is
on that chest Of drawers behind you"
"No more they DON'T" returned Miss
Tame. with plaintive cadence, taking a
sniff from the camphor bottle on the way.
However, don't begrutch him TO her,
don't know as do. IL will make her
good hum, If she concludes to make ar.
rangements."
Meantime, Captain Ben Lundy's head
was wellnigh at Mrs. Keen's door, for 1t
waa situated only around the frat sand
hill. She lived in q little bit Of q house
that looked as though it had been knocked
together for crockery crate in the first
place, with two windows and rude door
thrown in as afterthoughts. In the rear
Of this house was another tiny building,
something like grown-up hen coop and
this was where Mrs. KeeDs carried on the
business bequeathed TO her by her de-
ceased husband, along with five small
children, and one not 80 small. But,
worse than that, one who was mot alto
gether there" as the Eaglish say
She was about this business now,
dressed in a primitive sort of bloomer,
with wash tub and clothes wringer be-
fore her, with an army OF bathing suits of
every kind and color tapping wildly in
the fresh sea air at one side.
From little further on, mingling with
the sound OF the beating surf, came the
merry voices OF thers,-bOarders at the
great hotels on the hill.
"Here you be Hard at 1t" said Cap
tain Ben, putting around the corner like Q
portable west wind. ."I I've understood
you've had nurt. Is that 30?
40 no! Nothing TO MENTION" re-.
turned Mrs Keens, turning about a
face bright and cheerful as the full
moon; and throwing, as by accident, a
red bathing suit over the two broom sticks
that leaned against her tub.
Unlike Mrs Davids, Mrs. Keens neither
piticd herself nor would allow anybody
else to do 30.
"Sho y remarked Captain Ben, feeling
defrauded. He had counted on sacrificing
himself to his sympathies, but he didn't
give up yet. "You must see some pretty
tough times pears to me with such a
parcel Of little ones, and only yourself to
look to-" said he, proceeding awkwardly
enough to hang the pile Of wrung- out
clothes upon an empty line
II don't complain, returned the widow,
bravely. my children are not teusonse
and Jack, why you would be surprised to
sec how many things Jack can do, for all
he isn't quite right"
As she spoke thus with afectionate
pride, Jack came up wheeling roughly
made cart Allied with wet bathing clothes
from the beach. He looked upat sound of
his mothers voice with something of the
dumb tenderness of an intelligent dog.
"Jack helps, Jack good boy" said he,
nodding with happy smile.
"Yes, Jack helps. We don't complain"
repeated the mother.
at would come handy, though, to have
a man around to see to things and kind
o. provide, wouldn't it thought" per-
sisted Captain Ben.
"Some might think So" replied Mrs
Keens, stopping her wringer to reflect a
little. "But haven't any wish to change
my situation" she added, decidedly, going
on again with her work.
"Surc ont" persisted the Captain.
"Certain," replied the widow.
Captain Ben sighed. ~ thought ma
be you was having hard row to hoe, and
l thoughts like enough"
What he never said, excepting by a
beseeching glance at the cheerful widow,
for just then an interruption came from
some people after bathing suits.
So Captain Ben moved off with dismal
countenance. But before he had gone
far it suddenly frightened. ut might
not be for the best" quoth he to himself.
Like enough not. was very careful
not to commit myself, and am very glad
l didn't" He smiled as he reflected on
his judicious wariness. But, however"
he continued, ~ might as well finish up
this business now. There Ia Rachel Doc