West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1884-08-01
A LACONIC WOOER.
The widows Visit from Her Man of. Bust
Ness.


Ness.
Mrs. Abigail Widgin, n buxom widow,
OF four and forty, sat sewing i'm the
winter sunlight which fell through the
stand of geraniums and petunias before
her sitting-room window. A cheerful
wood fire burned on the hearth. its
flames reflected in the glistening brass
fire-dogs, only less brightly than the
sunbeams themselves.
Mrs. Widgin was roly-polv little
woman, with swapping black ewes.
cheeks like Baldwin apples. and hair i'm
which only few white threads dis
turbed the raven gloss There was an
AIR OF determination, it is true, i'm her
firm lower jaw, but this was so over
shadowcd by the general rosiness and
lolllty OF her face as hardly to be per
ceptlble, and even Il close observer
would have pronounced Mistress Abb
gail as she sat placidly sewing in the
ternoon sunlight, a dame as gracious
as she was comely
The clock in the corner licked mo-
notonouSly, the cat on the hearth RIO
alternately slept, and then awakened by
"a sudden snap of the fire, awoke to purr
Justify until drowsiness again overcame
her. The widow scwcd on with nor
fect composurc, and scarcely even n
hrmer curve OF the mouth BETRAYED the
TACT that she was keenly debating some
important matter in her mind. Only.
from time to time, her glance was
iaised TO the dial, and when at length
the sound OF footsteps crunching on the
snow without was heard, the ouick
comprehensive survey which the black
eyes made of The room indicated some
desire that everything should be right
ana tr'g for the coming guest, and
showed, moreover. that the newcomer
had been expected.
moment later and lilly, the trim
maid, had ushered into the room n
dapper little man with a markedly
legal air, shrewd, twinkling ewes. and
n shining bald spot on the top of his
head
Good afternoon. Mr.. Sharperson, -"
the widow said, briskly, rising with
hcsplt1blc alacrity. Il began to fear
you were not coming"
food afternoon" the gentleman re-
turned. allowing his hand to be shaken
vigorously.
sit down by the fire" pursued the
widow, busting about with the desire
OF doing something, vet not quite know
ing exactly what to do. lit must ba
cold day for all the sun The snow
crunchcs too much for one not TO know
that. You found it so. didn't vou?''
she concluded, knowing by experience
that nothing short of n direct question
was likely to elicit response from the
taciturn lawyer.
yes, he answered briefly.
Uncommon cold. should saw
went on Mrs. Widgin. seating herself
opposite her guest, and spreading ont
her plump hands TO the blaze as II talk
ing OF The temperature made her more
sensible Of it. Colder than usual for
the season, don't you think sop
Perhaps"
,,Ob, it certainly is much colder"
No response.
But then it is, after all. the time Of
year when one expects cold weather"
Still no reply.
The days begin 10 lengthen. Won
know the proverb, 1.-THE cold begins 10
strengthen"
Still unbrokcn silence on the part of
the lawyer, and the hostess was forcel
20 abandon the weather for more
promising topic.
You brought the papers for me 20
sIgn' ! suppose. Mr.. Sharperson?'
"Of course Won know that they aro
OIL right ] trust it all in your hand.
never did know anything about mort
gogcs.'
u was in Mr. Sharpcrson'- mind that
Tor one who knew nothing about leval
documents tho widow had managed her
p yTcrty with remarkable shrcwdnr--.
bHt % not being bis custom 10 waste su.
pcri0ous words b. putting his thought
INTO speech, be made no remark.
81 WI sign whatever YOU tell me to. ''
hi5 client continued with really touch
inc confidence at is hard for woman
~ haze nobody but herself 20 lean upoD
IN sure / don know what I should do
without YOU
again no response.
~ quite depend upon vor a"
HiI no reply unless y faint -niH
moro or less scornful, might BE- q, con
s.dored
Where arc the papers,
Mr oh1pcr-Dn rose Wit great de-
liberation, end from the grcon bailo
hag, which ON entering. be had depo.
red upon the table produced "a SINAI.
package ~ legal papers lie turned
agtn 10 The widow and Tho fire. his eve
o"'lne approximately upon The CHEEKY
proportions of both. as, without speak
uR ne handed OBJ" documents 10 Mrs
Nidgin
Are there four Of tbem2 she asked
WIN some appearance Of surprise. ~
only expected three"