Connecticut western news., 1872-03-22
WIDOW WOOD.

WIDOW WOOD. I don't say that brother Ben.'s widow wasn't good looking, for her age and her size. Then, too, she had pretty penny left her. Ben. was always lucky in busi- ness. And she might have married very we'll if she wanted to change her condition but, you see, Margaret Ann was a fool she, widow of forty, to set her cap at young Sam. Spencer, who was only twenty four If acas her brother-in- law, and ii Ben. had said to me, as he did, /" Richard always be kind to Margaret Ann," l couldn't help seeing that. Fhe fact of the matter is, that, as general thing, widows do make fools of themselves oftener than girls. ...s.--..- .- In this case, admit, age was the only obstacle. Sam. was good young man above selling himself to a woman old enough to be his mother, for her money bags Sam. was clerk in the store. I was poor Ben.'s partner. I'd tried to buy tbe 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 to her, and she wouldn't drop it
 
 was Sam. Spencer. |
 That was why she liked to sail about the store in her deep black silks; that was why she was always finding some excuse te haul down that part of the stock he had in hand, mixing everything up and giving him no end of trouble.
 You see, couldn't help it. The con. sScern paid, and the widow Wood owned rnh d kS ATnp garet Ann, go home," she would have said "Iv'e right here" That was it. She never did anything but bother and pry She had no children to occupy her, and she brought her pet white poodle along with her. "So lonesome" she said she was "in the big house opposite, and that wa. why she had us come to tea so much, O course.n --zz
 Well, this went on for nearly a year Big eyes at Sam, sweet smiles, soft speech es II used to wonder whether old Be1 knew how soon he had been forgotten. T. be sure he was sixty when he died, and bald-hcaded, stoop-shouldered man, witt solemn ways about him <; but she'd beer his wife for twenty-three years, and thougl I'm bachelor, 1 know what feelings ough to be. And Ben. was my brother too. uOpC lL WISH G HChSu LII lllS tO IldhS u my mind to put an end to her capers, a Sam.went, out one nis and to tell him tha we wanted a young lady as cashier, and wha not, and that if Lilly Rathbone could leav Gngg $ 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 l one day, "we1 have new cashier to-day. We need one and I've engaged one. ---- .---------'-.'
 "Well," says Margaret Ann, "perhap we do. l hope he's nice young man, an good looking. Good looks attract custom. "Pm glad you coincide with me-" say I. And laughed to myself, for I kne, else to fiict with. But I said nothing.
 It was fun to see her face change whc she saw Lilly behind the counter next day And she gave it to me in the privat office, I can tell you. She hated female about store, and she did't like Lilly looks. I could laugh at her, however ther 1 had good references with Lilly, .and had signed written agreement with bt for six months. She was to be cashie you see, as I told you. Margaret An couldn't help herself, and I suppose st knew it, for she said nothing after tha and Sam. and Lilly were as happy as youl birds. I believe he proposed to her behin my counter; know he did it somewher and know he was accepted.
 "Lord bless you,' says I to mysel Sand help you build your nest,"s Pm nc crusty, if am bachelor.
 A few days after, 1 found Margaret AT walking the office in towering rage, wit her face flaming. Richard" says she, Ia woman. is a ways right about another woman. Mo admire a pretty face so, that they a blinded by it. It was always so with NJ Wood. Many time he's thought W man everything that was splendid unt I've proved that she wasn't, by telling hi things. Now Pve found out your Lii Rathbone. She's exactly what thougl -exactlyw ..-s.---.
 "Well, what is it !" ~
 "No better than she should be-" ga Margaret Ann. "I saw her kiss Sal Spencer behind the counter this bless' morning.n
 "And he didn't want her to, I suppos and hollered for help ?" says I.
 "You know what men are," says sh "of course he kissed her back.n
 "Didn't he kiss her first ?'' says I.
 "Well, she let him, any how" says sh
 "Well," says l, "I suppose yuu used kiss Ben. after you were engaged, if n before.'' :.
 "What has that to do with it p sa she. "Why, they at least Did he pr pose her coming hero, Richard2n
 "No," said I "but they are engage Margaret Ann"
 "Don't believe it," said she. 1E
 "It's gospel truth" said I.
 And then-well, didn't mind it; didn't hurt me a biy-but then that W man turned around and slapped me in t face, she was so hopping mad.
 "Such actions in a respectable stor You depraved brute p she said; al marched out, and didn't come back fol week, for which was truly thankful.
 When she did come, it was all smiles a amiability and she talked to Lilly, a she smiled at Sam, and she really ( come out beautifully, considering. Lii took Q oreaf notion fo her