Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1889-01-19
TWO sCHEMERs.
"Oh, what tangled web we weave
When first we practice to deceive"

When first we practice to deceive"
The Widow Smith sat m late, read
ing the country paper; usually the
Weekly Budget did not interest her,
but on this occasion she read and re-
read a certain part of its columns and
laid it down last with a sigh.
wants wife, does he?' she mus
ed aloud; "tired of Twin alone. It's
a pearl chance for some one to get a
good husband eff he's what he adver-
tises."
Then she resumed the paper and
studied it carefully.
GA good pervider.' That's one
pint. 'Middle-aged and well-to.do.'
Laws! eff it wasn't for the"
The widow stopped abruptly, and
looked around with a startled express
sion.
"It must have been the cat" she
said to herself. "I'm as nervous as a
mouse. Pm sure there amt any
harm in it. l dare say he'll be glad
of it when he finds out. Ifhe had
not been so particular that he want
ed widow without any"
Then she broke off abruptly and sat
thinking.
"I've heard tell, i" she unused, "that
Il man who amounted to ennything,
wouldn't have to advertise for a wife.
All alone in the world Poor man!
feel uncommonly drawn toward
him. Likes peace and quiet So
do l. We're Of Il mind there. I'd
answer if it wasn't for the"
The clock striking startled her. At
ter long fit of thinking she went to
the clock shelf and took down a pen
and bottle Of ink; then she looked
into the family Bible and found some
writing PAPER"
1t took the Widow Smith a long
time to compose that letter. When
she finally had it to her mind, she
copied it after which she read it a
great many times.
81 hope l hewitt done wrong" she
said to her conscience. "But l can
almost see the hand of Providence
pintin' the way. \ widOwer an
well-to-do, alone in the world 1t
would be almostswicked not to try"
Then she wound up the clock, put
the cat out, and was soon dreaming
Of new adorer.
Mr.. Josiah Brown, a comfortable
farmer, who lived in the next town.
ship, was the man whose advertise
ment for a wife had enlisted the sym.
pathy of the Widow Smith. He had
been in the lonely and forlorn state
of a widower abouta year, and was
tired of single life. He cast his. eye
figuratively speaking, upon all the
widows in his neighborhood, but they
found no favor in his sight; so he adj
vertised in the Weekly Budget and
had halfa bushel ofletters in answer t.
his demand. All the answers had at
fractions, but there was only one tina
seemed to fulfil his expectations. L
was tiny little missive and signet
"Wid0w Smith," "She don't hun
and haw an beat around the bush
but comes right to the point like ;
man." he said to himself. So HI
wrote to her, and in due time a sec
ond letter came. 1t pleased him more
than the FIRST.
'She's Mrs. Brown No. ." h(
chuckled. "She says she's small
like leetle wimmen-has farm anC
good house, an of course is all alon
in the world or she wouldn't hav
answered at all. Says her friends cal
her good housekeeper. She's a mas
ter hand to write-begins every wore
with a capital an she appointed
meetin' at Gabriel Simpsons! Sho
I've known Gabe sence we was boy
together. 1 wonder eff he'll help m
out about this
The good man choked abruptly AN,
seemed fiurried.
"She won'tmind arter we're Joined
Pll appoint next Thursday to meet
Friday amt lucky and Saturdays to
near Sunday. I'll tell Simpson
keep dark till come there. Wonde
if she'll be disappointed"
The widow was first at Simpsons
and held his best cal for a private AT
dience.
Then she was all smiles, talkin,
over picking and preserving recipe
with Mrs. Simpson, who was an oil
acquaintance. When Josiah Brow
drove up with his span of grays, be-
Sunday coat on, best foot foremos