The Penn's Grove record., 1883-08-25
A Young Widow.
A Story of Real Life.

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He was dead they told me, and | die
not believe it my noble, handsome
husband 1t could not be trne, and
laughed in the face of the physician
when he repeated the assertion.
Not twelve hours before had kissed
Harold goodbye, and watched him ride
away over the prairie. 1t was a lovely
day, but to an experienced eye, the
clear-cut white clouds, showing so vi
wildly against the dark blue sky, were
the banners of the vanguard of a storm.
But no one coul have told that a
terrible cyclone two hours later would
burst upon US. leaving ruin and death
behind it.
Yet SO it was. Two hours after my
husband had said Goodbye, Madge
don't sit up for me-" and passed from
my sight, a black, funnel-shaped
cloud appeared in the southwest, and
half an hour later it broke over the
little village of Pearl.
Strangely enough, it swept only the
western edge Of the place, leyeling the
few houses in its path, passing on to
the town of Albion, where the destruc-
ton was fearful.
But Harold, NY husband, was caught
IL the plain right in the path of the
cyclone-no shelter on either side
which he could reach iii time A par
" of home coming hunters found him
! few hours after the storm bad pas sed,
ying face downward on the prairie,
where the cyclone had dropped him at
ter carry ing him no II knows how far.
The horse he rode was found dead a
mile further back.
/ had been glad that he was away
from home out of reach of the stol m,
lever dreaming that he was right in it,
way on the prairie ; and SO when they
brought him in white and still, l would
.dlow myself to think of nothing only
that he had tainted. When the doctor
and Others came to me saying "Try
and bear it, Mrs. Howard your hus-
oand las teen dead hours,n l said,
1t is Lot so I" And then l grew an
CRY that they should tell me SO dread
full a thing, and breaking away from
them threw myself down beside him,
calling him all the old loving names,
and pressing passionate kisses on his
face.
But he was silent and cold-so cold
that the chill from his lips struck 10
my heart. ] could net see. l thought
| was dying too, and was glad.
But / lived. If grief killed women
few OF us would be living.
The gray CLOUDS of November hung
overthe earth when | was strong enough
to face life again. The necessity of
canning a living was brought sharply to
my remembrance WHEN l found myself
Learly penniless.
Ny girlhood's home had been in Al
bany. l had married Harold against
my proud old fathers express command.
| loved him, therefore it mattered little
to me that he was poor.
But father was exceedingly angry
that his only daughter should throw
herself away on a penniless fortune
hunter, as he chose to call my husband.
l knew that Harold was not a fortune
hunter, So | married him, and we came
to Kansas and settled in the little town
of Pearl. Our short year of married
life had known no cloud. Now all was
changed. was a widow at twenty,
the daughter of a rich man, therefore,
unused to the methods of earning my
living. could not appeal to my father.
He had disowned me, and l had inheri-
ted something of his ewn indomitable
will.
What should | doi I could not sew.
There vas music teaching, that infalli-
BILE resort of all broken down gentle.
women, but that | could not do / was
out of practice, and | hated teaching.
An idea came to me like an inspira.
tion. l had a natural genius for cook,
ing. After my marriage l did all my
own work, and my husband had otter
said that, being the daughter of a maj
Of wealth, it vas marvellous that ] coulC
cock like a Frenehwoman. l formed
my plans at nee. What cared / TO.
social position, whose life was dark
ened foreverY
sold all the furniture, all the jew
elry l possessed except my wedding
ring, secured testimonials of characte
from the leading citizens of Pearl, an,
telling no one where / was going, wen
to San Franc SEQ. When l arrived,
Rad one trunk containing my clothes
and money enough to board me cheapl
for a month.
! The next day after my arrival,