The Princeton union., 1881-03-17
THE WIDOWS STRATAGEM,
BY KATIE HOYT.

BY KATIE HOYT.
'sWhat on earth can be the matter
with that man?'' said Mrs. Tabitha
Jones, as she stopped in the midst of
hanging out a tubful Of newly -starched
clothes, to watch Deacon Ponsonby,
as that irate gentleman marched past
the gate, his hair seeming to stand on
end as he ran his fingers through it,
his coat-tails standing out straight, so
rapid was his pace. so great his indig-
nation.
Now, Mrs. Jones besetting sin was
curiosity so, just as soon rs she could
get her clothes in even rows on the
line, and smooth her hair, she started
for the Widow Browns, from which
place the deacon had emerged some
ten minutes before. Widow Roxy
Brown was a plump, rosy-cheeked lit
tie body of thirty five, and the posses
sor of a comfortable, well-stocked
farm and neat little brown cottage.
She was a general favorite in the
neighborhood, though opposed to gos-
SIP.
"Good-morning, sister Brown said
Mrs. Jones. as she bustled into the
kitchen of the little brown cottage.
:Good morning. seen Deacon Pom
sonby leeve here in sich hurry,
a-talkin' and a-goin' on to hisself, that
l concluded to come over and see what
on airth could be the NATTER
This question seemed to amuse the
Widow Brown so much that she threw
her apron over her head and laughed
till the tears ran down her cheeks, and
she sank down upon Il chair, COM
pletely out of breath.
'' Well, you see. sister JONES' said
she. it's all about that spring lot.
You see this lot OF mine With the clear
spring on it joins the deacon s meadow,
and ever since the death Of my hus-
band. five years ago. he has been try
ing to buy it. ! will not sell it. and
he came this morning to inform me
that he would have it if he had to pay
three times what it was worth. I
told him that would not sell it at any
price so he went tearing out Of the
yard, madden than a March hare
Having found out what she wanted
to know, Mrs. Jones suddenly remem-
bered her yeast, which was ready to
make up, and took her departure.
Before noon the whole village knew
that the deacon and Widow Brown
were out.
Roxy Brown was seated in her
pleasant little front room, the next
evening, engaged in crocheting some
tleecy white wool. Very white and
plump her hands looked among the
scarlet woods, in spite of cooking,
churning, etc. Suddenly she became
conscious of the presence of some one
by loud ''hem!" Looking up, to
her great surprise she beheld Deacon
Ponsonby.
"Walk in, deacon, dor' said the sly
little woman, as though nothing had
happened.
While he was seating himself she
hustled about. getting him fan, and,
darting into the kitchen, reappeared,
bearing a tray containing slices of
light sponge cake, a pitcher of cider.
and some rosy-cheeked apples.
''Try some, deacon, = said she, deter
mined to outwit him, and not give
him the ghost of a chance to allude to
the spring lot.
While discussing the good things,
she gayly chatted Of the news of the
town, her chickens, her crop, and
everything except the one that lay
nearest his heart. At last, when she
was compelled to stop for breath, he
began:
'' Well, widder,, you know what
brought me again. I have come =
$40 spend a social evening, 1 sup
pose, interrupted the widow. quickly,
:'and right kind / take it. It's mighty
lonesome for me since my poor Josiah
died. And here the plump little
hand went up to wipe away imaginary
tears.
"Yes, yes, widder; but, as I was
sayin, ter you, I hey come tonight
with a special purpose-one which
you know has long been my aim in
life.''
..Really, now, Deacon again put
in Mrs. Brown, g have thought-that
is meant have always esteemed
you highly, but did not expect this. =
8. Did not expect it, madam! What
else have / thought about for years -
said the deacon, still thinking Of the
spring lot, aad never seeing where
the willy widow was leading him.
s.Why. madam. all the neig bors know
it / have never tried to conceal from
any body what was in my mind. I
must have your answer now, and hope
you will say yes. As you know,
money is no object with me when I
have set my heart upon anything.
Now, madam. yes or no -
g Well, if I must, I must. dear
Josiah, so take me; I am yours = said
the fair widow, casting herself into
the arms of the astonished old fellow
with such force that it almost took his
breath away.
$ What the dey--I mean what the
deuce do you mean, Widder Brown ?''
said he, striving in vain so extricate
himself from the clinging arms which
70 4l,o allo,o,. -.