The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1873-09-25
THE WIDOW WOOD,

THE WIDOW WOOD.
don't say brother Ben's widow wasn't
good-looking for her age and size. Then
too, she hau pretty penny left her. And
she might have married well if she want
ed to change her conditions: but, you see
Margaret Ann was tnol-she was a
widow of tortv-to set her cap for Young
sam Spencer, who was only twentv.tour
II | WAS her hrother-inlaw, and if Ben
had salt; to me as he did, Richard, al.
ways be kind to Margaret Ann" couldn',
help seeing that The fact of the matter
is, that, as Il general thing, widows do
make fools Of themselves oftener than
girls.
In this case l admit the age was the
only obstacle. Sam was good Young
man. above selling himself to woman
old enough to be his mother. for her
money-bag. Sam was clerk in the store.
l was poor Beu'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 :" bu,
YOU see she wouldn't. Ben had lett his
share of the furniture to her, and she
wouldn't drop it. After awhile | found
cut The reason. 1t was Sam Spencer.
That is why she liked to sail about the
store IN her dead black silk: that is WHY
She was always finding some excuse to
hand 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-
Germ paid, and widow Wood owned lust
as did. If said Margaret Ann, 90
home She could have said, I've right
here That was it. She never waited
on customer. She never did ANYTHING
but bother and pry. She had no children
10 occupy her. and she brought her white
poodle along with her. 80 lonesome, !"
she said she was, in the big house OPP
p's!te' and that was why She had us
Come To tea SO much of late.
Well, this went ON for nearly a wear.
Big eyes at sam, sweet smiles, soft peach
es. / used to wonder whether old Ben
knew how soon he had been forgotten.
To be sure he was sixty when he died, a
bald-headed, stoop-shouidereu man, with
solemn ways about him; but shed been
his wife for tweniv-three years, and
though In bachelor know what feel
inss oushtto be. And Ben was my broth
er, too. hope it wasn't wicked Of me to
make up my mind to put an end to her
capers, as tar as Sam went, and tell him
that We wanted young lady as cashier,
and why not? and il Lilly Rathbone
could leave Grigg Il Crater, I'd give her
the place. Sam was in love with Lilly,
knew that, but Margaret Ann had not seen
her.
" Margaret Ann," said 1, one day, "we
will have new cashier today. We need
one, anG | have engaged one'
WELL" said Margaret Ann, " perhaps
we do. hope he's u nice young man
and good-looking. Good looks attract Gus.
tom"
II am glad you coincide with me. "
says l, and laughed to myself, for knew
Margaret Ann was thinking of some
body else to tiirt with. But 1 said
nothing.
1t 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 you. She hated females
about store, and she didn't like Lilly's
looks. | could laugh at her, however,
there. had good references with Lilly,
and signed a written contract with her for
six months. She was to be cashier, YOU
know, as | told you. Margaret Ann
couldn't help herself, and suppose she
knew it, for she said nothing after that,
and Sam and Lilly were as happy as
young birds. l believe he proposed to
her behind my counter; knew he did it
somewhere, and | knew he was accepted.
Lord bless you," says to myself, land
help You to build your nest. I'm not
crusiy if am bachelor
A few days after found Margaret Ann
In the Office in towering rage, with her
face flaming.
''Richard," says she, "a woman is al.
ways right about another woman. Men
admire pretty face, SO they are ALWAYS
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 about your
thought-exactIy." Sh"'~ "~"",iu what I
wei, what Is lt:'' saysI.
No better than she should be-" saws
Margaret Ann: Il saw her kiss Sam
spencer behind the counter this blessed
morning"
And he didn't want her to, I suppose,
and halloed for help?" says I.
You know what men are" says she;
"of course he kissed her back"
didn't ne kiss her first." says 1.
We'll, she let, him, anyhow" says she.
We'll, says l, Il suppose you used to
KISS ben after you were engaged, if not
before?"
What has that to do with it." saws
she. Wny,they-at least-did he propose
her coming here, Richard:"
NO." said |, "bnt they are engaged,
Margaret Ann
Don't believe it." says she.
tits gospel truth, )" saysI.
And thnn-wall JiIo,t ,,,saI -
didn't hurt me bit-but 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 for a
week, for which was truly thankful.
When she did come she was all smiles
and amiability; and she talked to Lilly
and smiled at Sam, and she really did
come out beautifully, considering. Lilly
took great notion to her.
What nice, pleasant lady Mrs. Wood
Isl she said, as we were folding things
up that night; land SO pretty for her age
think she is splendid.
"Glad to hear it."
"Dear mel" she said, with her head
under the counter.
'Sister.in law, you know" said I; zone
Of the family; it won't do to praise her too
much"
"Oh, l wasn't thinking of what you
were saying" said she. am surprised
about my key. I'm sure I hung it here.
A little brass door-key, with a nick in the
handle and piece of pink ribbon tied to
it. l can't think where it is gone"
Well, we both looked everywhere. We