The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1880-02-26
WORCESTERSHIRE HUSBAND

MlDOM fLOSkE1 - FIT III HUSbAND
Mrs. Euphemia Fluskey had entered
her forty-third year, and began tc
think it was time for her to be looking
for another husband. Euphemia had
had few husbands-four in all. The
first one she left at the end of five
months; the second died within -four
years; the third within two years, and
the fourth left her at the end of three
weeks, having suddenly recollected that
he had another wife living. These mat
rimonial experiences, although covering
small part of Euphemia's life, had
given the widow an adventurous turn of
mind; and the work of planning for
another entertainment of that sort was
easy and quite natural. After looking
the ground over carefully, the widow
concluded that il would be best to select
a preacher for her fifth husband, if she
could find one who was not either mar
ried or engaged.
As for religion, Euphemia had never
allowed her thoughts to run in that
channel, but she realized now that a
little religion of some sort would be re-
quired in husbandizing a preacher, and
this want was easily supplied. The next
thing in order was to find the right sort
of preacher, and one who would be
likely TO appreciate her religious expert
ences as well as her personal charms.
Fortune has always a few more favors
to bestow on brave men and shrewd
women, and the widow was at once
placed on the list of those to whom
special anG immediate attention should
be given
4 conference meeting was about 20 be
held within thirty miles of the widows
residence, and she just then fortunately
remembered that she had third cousin
living in that vicinity, Mrs. Arilda
Lemons, whom she had seen but once in
her life To this lady Mrs Fluskey i'm
mediately wrote, addressing her as
"Dear Cousin Arilda;" but saying moth
ing about love or matrimony in that
letter. There was good deal about re-
igion, however, to which the widow
had, as she said, determined to conse-
crate the remainder of her life, deeply
regretting that so much precious time
had been lost; and she would like very
much to attend the conference.
An invitation TO come and be guest
of her cousin was received the next day,
and to the letter was added the inevita-
bic postscript:
Elder Sanford, widower, whose
acquaintance you will, l am sure, be
delighted to make, will also be enter
tanned at our house during the confer
ence."
"What happy coincidence" said
the widow, as she pressed the letter to
her heart and then to her lips. Glow
delightfully."- prognosticacious The star
of my destiny guides mer' and she set
out on her journey with her mind full of
rose-hled anticipations.
"Mrs. Fluskey, Mr.. Sanford" said
Mrs. Lemons; then added, "You will
have the parlors and grounds to your
selves, unless some other visitors may
occasionally call"
1t will be a mutual delight, 1 hope"
said the Elder.
"And to that hope l respond" said
the widow, graciously, permitting the
Elder TO conduct her 10 seat at his side
on the sofa.
The widows recent religious expert
ence was the next thing in order. The
Elder heard hert the end. with great
satisfaction, and then tenderly init
mated that the only sorrow he realized
was caused by the regret he felt at not
having been the instrument of her
happy conversion.
The widow laid her hand gently on
the Elders arm, and the look she gave
him Just then said, SO endearingly and
encouragingly: 81 do wish had been
converted by you, nay dear Elder San
ford"
"Dear Cousin Arilda," said Mrs.
Fluskey, on the morning of the third
day after the acquaintance began, "El-
der Sanford is in love with me. You can
see it in the way he looks at me, but
more especially in his stones. But l sup
pose l see it more plainly than YOU do.
Last evening he told me all about the sick
ness and death of his dear wife, and
how fondlv he loved her. It's just thir-
teen months, he says, since she died. At
the end of his story he laid his hand on
my arm, and gave me such a curious
look. OF course saw right into his
thoughts. He then said, There is
NAcOf ACtbA cAcN0AS "VhAo
like but he was so embarrassed that |
could not allow him 10 90 any further
49, Elder said 1, leaning nav head on
his shoulder, please don't say aay more
In regard to that matter now OF course
L know Just what you mean / wanted
TO spare his feelings; besides, didn't |
think it would be delicate or proper to
let him propose so soon. Do you think
it would have been, cousin ?''
" Scarcely, Euphemia," answered !
Mrs. Lemons. alt would, 1 think,
have been getting along rather FAST
" SO it seemed to me. Arilda; and as
the dear mar. had a troubled and anxious
expression, I Just threw my arms
around him, and kissed him good
night
The conference continued two weeks,
and each day and evening, coming and
going, at social meetings or at home in
the parlor, Elder Sanford and the widow
were as near together as they could be
conveniently. Some twelve times, per-
haps twenty, the widow related her ex.
perience to the sympathizing Elder, and |