The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-10-01
SELECT STORY.
THE WIDOWS sTRATAGEM.

out for the main chance peculiarly
from which elders are not always ex-
empt.
In worldly matters he was decidedly
well to do. having inherited fine farm
from his father, which was growing
yearly more and m ore valuable.
1t might be supposed that under these
circumstances the elder, was fully
able to share house and name. But the
elder was wary. MAtrimony was to him
in some measure, a matter of money,
and it was his firm resolve not to marry
unless he could thereby enhance his
worldly prospe rity.
Unhappily, the little village of Old.
vile and the towns in the immediate
vicinity contained few who were qualii-
ed in the important particular, and 81
these there were none with whom the
elders suit would have prospered.
So ID happened that year after year
passed, until Elder Boyd was in the
prime of life, and still unmarried. But
in all human calculations of this kin
they reckon i'll who leave widows out.
Elders Boyd's nearest neighbor was a
widow.
The widow Hays, who had passed
through matrimonial experience, was
some four years younger than Elder
Boyd. She was still buxom comely
woman, aa widows are apt to be.
Unfortunately the 'ate Mr.. Hayes had
not been able to lea her sufficient to
make her independent of the world.
old-fashioned house in which she lived,
aMd a small amount of money which
was insufficient to support her and liz
tie son of six likewise to be enumerated,
in the schedule of her property, though
hardly to be classed as productive" Of
anything but mischief.
The widow was therefore obliged to
take care of three boarders to exc ont
her scanty income, which of course, i'm
posed upon her considerable labor and
anxiety.
is il surprising that under these cir
cumstances she should now and then
have bethought herself Of q second mar
riage as a method of lettering her con-
dition? Or again, need we esteem it a
special wonder IL in her reflections upon
this point she should have cast her eyes
upon her next neiRhbor, Elder Boyd
The elder, as we have already said, was
in fourishing circumstances. He would
be able to maintain wife in great COM
fort, and being one Of the chief person
ages in the village, could accord her
prominent social position. He was not
especially handsome, or calculated to
make profound impression upon the
female heart; this was true, but he was
of good disposition, kind hearted, and
would no doubt maze very good sort
of husband. Widows are, take it If
any shall do me the honor to read this
story, trust they will forgive the re-
mark), less disposed to weigh sentiment
in a second alliance than a 6rst, and SO
in the widows point of view, Elder
Boyd was a very desirable match.
Some sagacious person, however, has
observed that it takes two to make a
match, fact to be seriously considered;
for in the present case it was exceeding
Iy doubtful whether the worldly elder,
even If he had known the favorable
opinion of his next neighbor, would
have been inclined to propose changing
her name to Boyd, unless, indeed, a suit
able motive was brought to bear upon
him. Here was a chance for a little
managing. wherein widows are said, as a
general thing, to be expert.
One evening, after day of fatiguing
labor, Widow Hays sat at the Ere il the
sitting room, with her feet resting on the
fender
aft ever ! am situated so as not to
have to work 40 hard" she murmured,
81 shall be happy. It's hard life, keep
ing boarders. If was only as well off
as Elder Boyd"
Still the widow kept up her thinking,
and by-and-by her face frightened. She
had an idea; which she resolved to put
into execution at the earliest possible
moment. What il was the reader will
discover in the sequel.
"Freddie," said the to her son the
next morning, "I want you to stophat
Elder Boyd's as you go to school, and
ask him if he will call on me in the
course of the morning or afternoon, just
as he finds Ii most convenient"
Elder Boyd was little surprised at
this summons. However, about eleven
o'clock he called in. The widow had
got on the dinner, and had leisure to sit
down. She appeared little embarrass-
ed.
"Freddie told me that you would like
to see me" he commenced.
"Yes, elder, should. But am very
much afraid you will think strange, at
least, of what have to say to you"
The elder very politely promised not
to be sprprised; although at the same
time his curiosity was visibly excited.
Suppose" said the widow, casting
down her eyes-"mind, I was only sup
posing cases-supposing a person
should find pot Of gold pieces
in their cellar, would the law have a
right to touch it, or would it belong to
them? ?" The elder pricked up his ears.
"A pot Of gold pieces, widow? Why,
unquestionably the law would have
nothing to do with it,"
"And the one who formerly owned the
the house couldn't come forward and
claim 1t, could he elder"
"No, madam, unquestionably not
When the house was disposed of every
thing went with it, as a matter of course
al am glad to hear it elder. You
won't IN ink strange Of the question but
happened TO occur in my mind, and
thought would like to have it satis6
ed"
Certainly, widow, certainly" said