Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1879-06-04
A Widow Outwitted.

Out IN that beautiful land Wnere the
classic waters of Cherry creek take their
rise and ripple through country as lonely
as that which the returning lsraelites looked
upon as home of delight, lives wayward
widower, who has been smitten with the
charms of neighboring widow. Both are
well advanced in life, and are respectively
the head of a numerous family. Fair sons
and daughters grow around them. Time
has frosted the locks of both with a silver
hue, and much of the freshness and vigor
of life has passed beyond their reach. But
their staid lives and rugged natures have
still left some tender sympathies, which
Cupid seeing, has let fly an arrow, which
rankles in their hearts. Being neighbOrs,
they knew, or thought they knew, each
other well. Frequent meetings stirred
in their memories some recollections Of days
of dalliance and youth. Before care and
the busy bustling world had scared their
hearts, they had known what it was to love,
and perhaps sometimes each reverted with
moistened eyes and tender signs to two lit
tie hillocks that nestled in the graveyard
beyond the hill. Perhaps this feeling drew
them closer together. Be that as it may,
the widow began to watch eagerly for the
old mans coming, and the bloom in the
matronly cheek became fresher and the eyes
of the lady had a tenderer light when he
was near. OF course, there are always
persons who note these signs and report
them; and gossip soon grew busy with
their names 1t was told far and wide,
that this venerable couple were to be mar
ried With what feelings the grown up
sons and daughters heard the announce
ment, il would be difficult to tell. The
youngest daughter of the ancient suitOr,
however, was not pleased with the arrange
ment, and determined to break it. She was
a shrewd lass, and went about it in bust
ness-like way. Putting on her bonnet, one
afternoon, she called upon the widow. Sne
fairly gushed with affection.
Sand so | am to have you for mother
The widow blushed.
''Oh, how happy we all are, and l do
hope father will treat you well; but
and the girls face grew solemn and her
eyes filed with tears.
Treat me well.n exclaimed the aston
ished widow, ''why, of course he will.
What in the world can you mean ~ and the
widows tones assumed an anxious inquiry.
''Oh, | can never tell you," walled the
girl.
but you must tell me, my dear. You
must tell me :" importuned the widow.
''You knew my mother Z"
eyes"
''She died suddenly, you know
''Yes, yes, l know"
'.FrOm asthma.'
''Yes, yes"
''0h, / can never tell the rest" and the
girl gave herself up to uncomfortable weep
ing. But the widows interest had now be-
come ungovernable, and she pressed eager
ly for an explanation.
$50 on, go on, for PHYS sake tell me the
rest"
''Well-but you'll never tell you pro-
mise me never to tell. "
Il swear it," solemnly protested the
widow.
''We-but oh, it may have been a mis-
take-we thought we saw mark about
her neck-oh, what have told, what have
| told" and the young lady sprang to her
feet and rushed across the floor wringing
her hands in agony.
The widow sat in speechless amazement.
Her lips were pale and her eyes Gilated
horror Her trembling voice twice essayed
the sentence before she gave it utterance {:
''Choked TO death :"
''Oh, madam, it may have been all mis-
take, ;" cried the sobbing girl.
The widow stopped and kissed her ten
DERBY.
go home, my child, wish to be alone,
but God hears me when promise to keep
your secret"
The damsel staid not upon the order of
her going, but went at once. Fairly clear
of the premises, the solemn little face flung
off its sadness and began to ripple with
smiles.
81 think I've stopped that wedding, " she
murmured softly and didn't tell story
either Mother did choke to death with
asthma, and there was mark-an old scar
on her neck. The idea of father marry
ing that old woman"
Well, the wedding didn't come off.
There was stormy interview between the
widow and her suitor, and more than once
it was on the lady's tongue to call him a
murderer; but she restrained herself and
simply said she had changed her mind.
The old gentleman took a discouraging
view of life for several days-railed at wo-
men in general, and widows in particular
and then settled down to his ordinary life.
He never knew why the widow went
back on him.