The Republican journal., 1872-04-04
Widow Wood.
BY MARY KYLE DALLAS.

BY MARY KYLE DALLAS.
dou't say that brother Ben's widow
wasn't good looking for her age and her
Sze Then, too. she had a pretty penny
left to her Ben was always lucky in
business. And She might have married
very well, II she wanted to change her
condition; but YOU see. Margaret Ann
was a tool-she widow of forty. TO set
her cap at Young Sam Spencer, who was
only twenty-tour, If | was her brother
in-law, and if Ben had said to me. as he
did. "Richard, always be kind to Marga-
ret Ann couldn't help seeing that. The
fact of the matter is that, as a general
thing. widows DO make fools OF them
selves ottener than girls.
In this case, | admit. age was the only
obstacle. sam was a good Young man
above selling himself to 4 woman Old
enough to be his mother. for her money
bags. sam was a clerk in the store. |
was poor Ben's partner I'd tried TO buy
the widow out. I'd said. over and over
again, "Margaret Ann, You have plenty,
and to spare; why not retire ?" But YOU
see, she wouldn't. Ben had left his
share of the business 10 her and she
wouldn't drop it. After a while | found
out the reason, 1t was sam spencer
That was why she liked to sail about
the store in her dead black silks; that
was why She was always finding some
excuse to haul down that part of the
stock he had in hand, mixing everything
up, and making no end Of trouble.
You see, | couldn't help it. The con-
Germ paid, and the Widow Wood owned
ust as much of it as did. If I'd said.
"Margaret Ann. 90 home" she could
have said, Give a right here" That was
it. She never waited on customer
She never did anything but bother and
pry. She had no children T. occupy her.
and She brought her pet white poodle
along with her $50 lonesome" She said
She was, lin the big house opposite, and
that was why she had us come to tea So
much. Of course"
Well. this Went on for nearly n wear.
Big ewes at sam, sweet smiles. soft
speeches used to wonder whether Old
Ben knew how soon he had been forgot
ten. To be sure he was sixty when he
died. and a bald headed. st0op- shoulder
ed man. with solemn ways about him:
but she'd been his wife for twentv-three
wears, and though I'm bachelor. know
what feelings ought to be. And Ben was
my brother too. hope il wasn't wicked
of me to make up my mind to put an end
to her capers, as far As sam went and to
tell him that We wanted a Young lady as
cashier and Why not, and that if Lilly
Rathhone could leave frigg and Crater,
I'd give her the place sam was in love
with Lilly: / knew that but Margaret
Ann had never seen her.
Margaret Ann" says I, one dav. we'll
have a new cashier to-day. We need
one, and I've engaged one"
'Well. says Margaret Ann. ''perhapS
we DO. hope he's a nice young man,
and good looking Good looks attract
custom"
I'm glad You coincide with me, )" says
|. And laughed TO myself for knew
that Margaret Ann was thinking of some
one else to tiirt with But said nothing
It was fun To see her face change when
She saw Lilly behind the counter next
day. And she gave it to me in the private
office. | can tell Won. She hated females
about 4 store. and She didn't like Lilly'S
looks. | could laugh at her however
there. | had good reference with Lily
and | had signed a written agreement
with her for six months. She was to he
cashier You see, as told YOU. Margaret
Ann couldn't help herself, as | suppose
she knew it, for she said nothing after
that, and Sam and Lilly were as happy as
Young birds. | believe he proposed to
her behind my counter; | know he did
it somewhere, and know he was accept
ed.
Lord bless YOU" says | to myself,
sIanI baln h.,ild -
crustv, if | am a bachelor.
A few days after, found Margaret Ann
walking the office in a towering rage,
with her face flaming
"Richard," says she, "a woman is al
ways right about another woman. Men
admire a pretty face so, that they are
blinded by it. 1t was always so with Mr.
Wood. Many time he's thought wo-
man everything that was splendid until
I've proved that she wasn't. by telling
him things. Now I've found out your
Lilly Rathhone. She's exactly what |
ought-exactly !"
'Well. what is it ?" says l.
mo better than she should be-" SAYS
Margaret Ann. Il saw her kiss Sam
Spencer behind the counter this blessed
morning."
anu HO Nibll W ait llCt W. SuHpbSt
and holered for help?" says /
You know what men are" says she
"of course he kissed her back"
"Didn't he kiss her first ?' SAYS l.
Well, she let him, anyhow SAYS
she.
Well" says I, 81 suppose you used to
kiss Ben after you was engaged, ii no.
before
what has that to do with it ?" says
she. "Why, they--at least-J,id he pro
pose her coming here, Richard 81
NO. said /; "but thev are engaged,
Margaret Ann
And then--well | didn't mind it; it
didn't hurt me bit-but then that woman
turned around and slapped me in the
face, she was so hopping mad.
Such actions in a respectable store
You depraved brute !" says she and
marched out, and didn't come back tor
week, for which was truly thankful.
When she did come. it was all smiles
and amiaolity; and she talked to Lilly,
and she smiled at Sam, and she really did
ccme out beautifully, considering. Lilly
took great notion to her.
'What nice, pleasant lady Mrs. Wood
is" she said, as we were folding things
up that night; land SO pretty. too, for
her age think she's splendid"
"Glad you like her." said l.
''Dear me " said she, with her head un-
der the counter
''Sister-in-law, you know" said ; cone
of the family; it won't do to praise her
too much"
"Oh, wasn't thinking of what you
said, Mr.. Wood,' said she. .I'm so sur
prised about my key. I'm sure I hung it
here. A little brass door key with nick
in the handle, and a piece OF pink ribbon
tied to it. can't think where it is gone.n
Well we both looked everywhere. We
unrolled packages and peeped into boxes,
and nnkad down cracks in the floor