The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-01-24
TWO sCHEMERs.
''Oh, what q tangled web we weave
When first we practice to deceive ~


Budget did not interest her, but on this
occasion she read and re-read a certain
part of its columns and laid it down at
lat with a sigh.
Wants wife. does he ?" she unused
aloud; "tired of livin' alone. It's a
peart chance for some one to get good
husband ef he's what he advertIses.
Then she resumed the paper and
studied it carefully.
"A good pervider' That's one pint.
'Middle-aged and we'll to-do.' Laws | ef
1t wasn't for the"
The widow stopped abruptly ,and look
ed around with startled expression.
ut must have been the cat" she said
to herself. I'm as nervous as mouse.
I'm sure there amt any harm in it. l
dare cay he'll be glad of it when he finds
out. If he hadn't been so particular that
he wanted widow without any"
Then she broke off. abruptly and sat
thinking.
Give heard TELL" she unused, that
man who amounted to ennything would
not 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
mind there. I'd answer if it wasn't for
the"
The clock striking startled her. After
long fit of thinking she went to the
clock shelf and took down a pen and
bottle of ink; then she looked in the
family Bible and found some writing
paper,
1t took the Widow Smith long time
to compose that letter. When she finally
had it to her mind, she copied it, after
which she read it over a great many
times.
Il hope hevn't done wrong" she
said to her conscience. But can al
most see the hand of Providence pntiu'
the way. "A widower an wellto-do,
alone in the world 1t would be almost
wicked not to try"
Then she wound up the clock, put the
cat out,and was soon dreaming of a new
adorer.
Mr. Josiah Brown, a comfortable far
mer, who lived in the next township,
was the man whose advertisement for
wife had enlisted the sympathy of the
Widow Smith. He had been in the lone
" duu bldNt vi d "luO"tl dOOul
year, and was tired of single life. He
cast his eye figuratively speaking, upon
all the widows in Eis neighborhood, but
they found no favor in his sight; so he
advertised in the weekly Budget and
had half bushel of letters in answer to
his demand.
All the answers had attractions, but
there was only one that seemed to fultil
his expectations. 1t was a tiny little
missive and signed Widow Smith,"
''She don't hum and haw an beat
round the bush, but comes right to the
point like man." he said 10 himself.
So he wrote to her, and in due time a
second letter came. 1t pleased him more
than the first.
She's Mrs. Brown No. g" he
chucked. "She says she's SMALL like
leetle women-has farm an q good
house, an of course is all alone in the
world or she wouldn't have answered at
all. Says friends call her a good house
keeper. She's a master hand to write
begins every word with a capital and
she's appointed a meetn' at Gabriel
Simpsons ! Sho I've known Gabe
sence we was boys together. | wonder
eff he'll help me out about this"
The good man choked abruptly and
seemed flouried.
"She won't mind arter we're joined.
I'll appoint next Thursday to meet. Fri.
day amt lucky and Saturdays too near
Sunday. l'll tell Simpson to keep dark
till come there. Wonder if the widder
is good lookin', Wonder if she'll be dis
appointed"
The widow was first at Simpson's, and
held her best ear for private audience.
Then she was all smiles, talking over
picking and preserving receipts with
Mrs. Simpson, who was an old acquaint
aHca. When Josiah Brown drove up
with his span of grays, best Sunday coat
on, best foot foremost, the widow was
observing him from behind the curtains
of the stting-rOom window.
Well = she said with long breath,
'he amt to sav han'sum. He's a leet.e
bow legged an has cast in one eve. |
dunno AS Id have him If 1t wasn't for
the -"
Before she had finished Mr.. Simpson
was presenting Mr.. Brown, and then all
hands sat down to billed" dinner.
81 like good vittles," said the widower
with knowing glance at his visa Wis.
the widow, and he passed his plate for
the third time.
"S'do l." responded the lady with
vivid blush, "Mr. Smith used to say he
couldn't bear to eat away from home.
cause we had such good n eals.
Mr.. Brown beamed at her.
After dinner he took Mr.. Simpson to
one side. Pretty as picture an plump
as partridge; looks like she could keep
house for me and the-ugh! ugh ugh?"
A severe fit Of coughing interrupted
Mr.. Browns recital. Simpson smiled
knowingly.
You're in luck il you get the wild
der" he said. But can't say it's quite
fair to not tell her about the"
81 u-s-h ~ whispered Brown nervous
ly. 'It'll be all right I'll make her a |
good husband and she won't mind the
Another severe fit of coughing, which |
nearly strangled the good man nipped
his discourse in the bud.
Il say, Simpson," he enqured, pres
emily, has the widow any"
None in the land of the living" in
terrupted Mr.. Simpson hurriedly.
Mr.. Brown rubbed his hands with sat
isfaction. Then the two joined the ladies, !
and the cOurtship proceeded with such
alacrity that the day was set, and as a
neutral ground, Simpsons house was
rendered for the occasion.
But Mr.. Brown visited the widow at
her lonely house several times, and the
widow in company with Mrs. Simpson
spent day at the Brown homestead and
was much impressed with its "peace
and quiet" She whispered to Mrs.
Simpson.
I'm so thankful am going to marry
into home where there ain't any"
"H.u-s-h he's looking at u.s." eau
toned her friend.
Then both ladies laughed heartily, as
If they knew something that pleased
them immensely.
While Mr.. Brown was showing off his
roomy house he haz ,rded a remark:
Its kind er lonesome in house
where there are nobody but grown ups.
l believe you told me that you hadn't
any
They are all in the grave yard! every
one of 'em, poor things T. sobbed the
widow with the handkerchief to her
eyes.
1t took some time for Mr.. Brown to
undo the mischief. He was compelled
to support the clinging form and dry the
tears he had drawn forth by his careless
remark.
"She's a tender hearted little thing ~
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