The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1875-10-21
The Widows Stratagem,


The Widows Stratagem.
Elder Boyd, though very good man
in the main, and looked up to with re-
spect by all the inhabitants of the little
village of Oldyile, was rumored to have,
in Yankee pariance, pretty sharp look
out for the main ehance-a popularity
from which elders are not always
exempt.
In worldly matters he was. decidedly
well-to-do, having Inherited fine farm
from his father, which was growing
yearly more and more valuable. 1t
m ght be supposed that under these cir
cunstances the elder, who was fully
able to do so, would have found help
mate to snare his house and name. But
the elder was wary. Matrimony was to
him, in some measure, matter o. money,
and it was his firm resolve not to marry
unless he could thereby enhance his
worldly prosperity.
Unhappily, the little village of Old
Vile and the towns in the immediate vi
cinity contained lew who were qualified
in the important particular, and Of those
there were probably none with whom
the elders suit would have prospered.
So it happened that year after year
passed away, until Elder Boyd
was in the prime of life-forty- four or
Ihereabouts-and still unmarried, and
in all probability will remain SO. But In
all human calculation Of this kind they
reckon i'll VINO leave widows out.
Elder Boyd's nearest neighbOr was q
widow.
The widow Hayes, who had passed
through matrimonial experience, was
some four years younger than Elder
Boyd. Sheswas still a buxom, comely
woman, rs widows are apt to be.
Unfortunately the late Mr.. Hayes had
not been able TO leave her sufficient to
make her Independent OF the world. All
that she possessed was the small old
fashioned house in which she lived, and
a small amount OF money which was ln-
sufficient to support her and little son
of six. likewise to be enumerated in the
schedule of her property, though hardly
to be classed as 'productlye" OF any,
thing but mischief.
The widow was therefore obliged to
take care of three boarders to exc out
her scanty income, which, of course,
imposed upon her considerable labor
and anxiety.
One evening, after day of fatiguing
labor, Widow Hayes sat at the fire in
the sitting-room. with her feet resting on
the fender.
.If ever am situated so as not to
have to work SO hard, ,"she murmured,"I ~
shalt be happy. It's hard lite, keeping
boarders. Ii I was only as we'll OFT as
Elder Boyd"
Still'the widow kept up her thinking
and by-and-by her lace frightened. She
had an idea, which she was resolved to
put into execution at the earliest possi-
ble moment. What it was the reader
will discover in the sequel.
"Freddie," said she to her son the
: next morning, Il want you 10 stop at
ask him If he will call on me in the
. course Of the morning or afternoon, just
as he finds it most convenient"
Elder Boyd was a little surprised at
this summons. However, about eleven
O'Clock he called in. Tue widow had gol
: on the dinner, and had leisure to Sit
down. Sine appeared little embar
rassed.
"Freddie told me that you would Like
to see me-" he commenced.
"Yes, elder, should. But am very
+. much afraid you will think strange, u,
;. Least, OF what have to say to you.o
! Phe elder very politely promised no
l to be surprised; though at the same
, time, his curiosity was yisibly excited.
l. "Suppose," said the widow, casting
( down ner eyes-"miud, l was only sup
1 posing case--suppose person shoult
find pot OF gold pieces in their cellar
would the law have right to touch it
or would it belong to them?" The eide
I pricked up his ears.
"a pot of gold pieces, widow? Why
:. unquestionably the law would hay,
$ nothing to do with it,"
. "And the one who formerly owned th'
/ house couldn't come forward and CLAIM
u 1T, could he, elderP'
HNo madam; unquestionably not
\ When the house was disposed OF every
thing went with it, as matter o
course"
Y 81 am glad to hear il, elder. You won
think strange OF the question, but 1t hap
|, pened to occur in my mind, and I though
J. l would like to have it satisfied"
! "Certainly, widow, certainly" SAT-
Is the elder, abstractedly.
g Sand, elder, as you're here. Il hopt
l. you will stop TO dinner with. US. 1t viii
o be ready punctually at r."
J. "WelL, no." said the elder rising, 'iPn
obliged to ye; but they'll be expecting
me home"
i "At any rate, elder" said the widow
taking a piece Of steaming mince pi
!, from The oven, "you wont object to TAX
0 ing a piece of mince pie. You mus
! know that rather pride myself on max
lug Inlhce pleSs
Q The warm pie sent up such del;eiou
. oder that the elder was serely tempted
and alter saying, swell, really,a wit
n the intention OF refusing, he finished b.
l. saying, son the whole, guess will, a
lit lo0ks so NICE"
The widow was really coed cook, an
the elder ate with muoh gusto The gener
Gus piece which the widow cut for him
and, after chatting upon unimpo
!. subjects, withdrew Ill some mental pei
y piexity.
WAS 1t possible.n thought he, "lha
q the widow could really have found Eo
oil gold in her cellar: She did not "a
so, TO be sure, but why should she hiy
!. shown so much anxiety to know as {
n the propriepersnip of lne treasure thu
Is found If she had net happened upo
"A some To be sure, as far as his know
n edge extended, there was no one wh
4 Ilkan- Ia -. ....l. -