Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-07-30
Selftte1 Storp.
THAT LITTLE WIDOW.

She was just the neatest little woman
in the world-alwSys smiling. always
fresh, plump, aud deep in her forlies-
one OF the kind who smooth their aprons
down while they talk to you. Then the
little cigar shop al the corner, whore she
Kept different brands o, tobacco, and
talked OF the weather 10 her customers.
and the kindness which any tale OF sor-
row told by ysgraniS called forth from
her-,hc many times her lat little hand
went into The draw Tor change TO be be-
slowed apoE Somo charitable plea--sll
went ,u llakc up the bes, tempered, the
mos, mo,heIiy and thu incest little
wOmsu you would ever chance TO meet.
s. llaaSht Dc. Ash. vao lived mex.
door. and who often went 10 for iii;lo
snuf. you AuOS. bu, Who invariably
settled his w!E moro rakishly before
popping into the shop. De used to say
70 her. MY! you must % lonely here,
Widow Thorn p
"Oh. not st al. sir. thanking you y
she would reply.
81 wonder Yon never N Arried a second
time. Widow Thorn ?"
"Well. it is a wonder, u,n'I it, Doctor >
Bat you see I'm such queer old body
that guess not many could fancy me. -
Madame, there you must stop
cannot hear the divine sex dispsraged. f"
returned the Doctor. He was, as they
ssy, OF the old school. She laughed.
Cant 8 woman speak against her
self p she asked.
mo she never speaks sgsins. herself
unless she means to nalter herself by
contradictory dispsrsgemt ut when some
one is by"
"Sir. you sre too plain
Widow Thorn. l was always called
plain and the wigs too big for me-"
Then she laughed al him; and what
promised to be a quarrel ended in q
merry Goodbye
Then there was the baker at the COR
ner. He was a widower, and be used to
come in OF an evening for a chat and a
cheap cigar.
Said be, This lonely state is misera-
Die, isn't IL"
"Do you speak iron experience ?"
asked she.
"Yes; my Maria's been dead fourteen
years. said be.
81 shouldn't think it would take so
long time for you men to forget any
thing" she said.
"Ah, ma'sm man is 4 wonderful be-
iug-the most wonderful of Gods crea-
lures
Except women" said she.
You're right, widow And that's the
reason that the Lord meant that
every man should have wife, and every
woman q husband, Just 10 make them
equal. So think you and must have
new partners"
Now. look here. Mr. Johns You've
had your partner. and I've had mine. and
death has dissolved the partnerships
y, y, we're both bankrupt, and we cam
carry on Joint business; 80 We must &c
on pleasantly" she said. and laughingly
babe him good night" He had tC
laugh, too. because she seemed " expect
him to do nothing else.
Then there was the old bachelor ove'
the way, who was learning tho bassoon
He used to come to his window of SUI,
mer evenings. when the widow wa!
standing at her door, for breath {
fresh sir; and be would blow away q
The Last Link is Broken" till it was :
wonder be did not rupture something
and die. He did not smoke. nor drink
nor chew. But brilliant idea strucl
him one day, and over he went.
DO you keep paper collars, ma'am 2
be asked tremblingly. >
"Yes, sir" she answered. smoothing
her apron down.
"Giye me some, ;" he said. vaguely.
What size?"
20, any size don't care
She looked at him.
"Don't you know your number !" sh'
asked.
mo, ma'ami but don't care mech
"Ludr' she calculated. Here, sir
Just you take your collar of and let M
measure il3'
So be did, aud she handed him an
other.
"That'll 6t you, SIR she said.
Then be tried to put ii on, and HI
hand trembled so that be broke one o
the button boles.
Now It's done. sir, said she.
Pm afraid | am," said he.
"Sirg'
al mean I'm afraid it Isl"
Then he took up another, and, out o
| L.