Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-03-09

interest TO this recital As he ceased she bit
her lip, and stopped down to conceal the
smile that, in spite of all her efforts, broke
over her countenance. The motion was
observed by Miles; the incident of the pre-
ceding night flashed across his mind, and in n
moment he felt convinced he had seen the
smugglers, and that the ''widder" was con-
necred in some way with them.
Miles Judson was prudent man, and he
determined TO keep the discovery to himself
and to set out for st. John the next day and
inform the authorities Acting on this reso-
luton he adroitly changed the conversation.
Keeping his eye fixed on the widow, who, all
unconscious of his gaze, was now flirting
most desperately with Master Bill, the OLD
mans son and heir
Don't you find it kinder lonesome up there
by YOURSELF" said Bill, with teuder glance
toward tho 'widder"
''Ohl Tn used to it now, and like it well
enough" shs replied carelesSly.
There was a pause after this Bill sat
gnawing his finger nails, and evidently try
ing to say something that stuck in his throat
The widow sat tapping the floor impatiently
with one foot, and waiting for tho return of
Ruth, who had left them
''Widder | want to get married said
DO your said the widow, lifting her be-
wildering black eyes TO his face, astonished
at the abruptueSs of the avowal
Wilder, continued Bill, picking up cour-
age by a desperate effort, wouldn't you Like
to get married againF
Married again" replied tho lady; 'how
do you know ever was married"
why, every ono calls you a widder, and l
never heard tell of any one being a wilder
without first bein' wilder" replied Bill
Yes" said the widow, with difficulty re-
pressing laugh, every one calls me a
widow, but whether / am OF not Is another
thing"
We'll, said Bill, who, as he afterwards
expressed it, was determined to go the whole
hog" I'm a chap as is pretty well Off I'm
goin' to bald new shanty, and get a new
boat some of these times, and I'm a pretty
good loolln' feller-hem! so-hem! Wilder,
II you'll have me, you and nell get spliced ~
Amusement for a moment kept the widow
silent, and she stared in the face of her Sheep
ISL ad1nirer, who, blushing, startled, sat cross
ing one leg uneasily over the other Then
every other feeling gave way 70 her sense of
the ridiculous, and, leaning back in her chair.
she burst into peal OF laughter that made
the old house ring.
The unusual sound brought the whole house
hold to the spot. There was pretty Ruth
laughing from sympathy, without the slight
est idea of what the fun was about, there was
old Miles staring at them with mouth and
eyes wide open: there sat Bill, looking ire
sistibly sheepish, and there sat the widow,
laughing and laughing until the tears stood
in her eyes
"What-what-wha the dickens is the
matterr roared the old man, staring first at
one and then at the other III utter bewilder-
ment
IL must 60" said the widow, in voice
faint from excessive laughter come up this
evening, Ruth, I have something to tell
you" And, still laughing, the wilder" van
ished
That evening two events worthy of notice
took place III the little village Of NJ. Old
Miles departed full of an important secret 10
the city, and Ruth Judson and the Widow
Black sat for an hour or more in close con-
ference on the rocks of Bleak Point What
Ruth learned there she did not disclose. but
sundry CALCULATIONS of amazement and sundry
expressions Of delight proved that it was far
from disagreeable.
The following evening, when the cleaning
was falling over the rock bound coast OF New
Brunswick, the Widow Black sat in her little
cottage, gazing in the fire and lost in thought.
Suddenly, the tramp Of feet approaching
Bleak Point fell on her quick ear Springing
to her feet she saw several constables, headed
by old Miles, approaching her cottage
Scarcely had she time TO draw the bolt when
a heavy knock came TO the door. and stern
voice commanded her to open In the name OF
the law
mot until l know your business" said the
widow boldly who are you and what do
you want!"
I've are officers of the law You are sus-
pected of being connected with smugglers,
and Of concealing contraband goods about
your premises, and our business is to arrest
you and search for them,n was the reply
Then let me assure you that your trouble
will be al for nothing The Struggled goods
you speak Of were here, but are now where
the eyes OF the custom house will never fall
on thom. As to arresting me, poor, lone
wilder ] am sure you are too much of @
gentleman to do it"
open the door, or will break it open, y
shouted the enraged officer.
Break away" retorted the provoking
widow, with the utmost GOODNESS
With an oath tho officer rushed against the
door; at the same moment the widow drew
the bolt, and he fell head first into the room,
while old Miles, who rushed after, lay
sprawled on top OF him. Before they could
rise the widow seized the remaining officer,
and hurled him with the greatest ease over
his fallen companions. Then, drawing the
door after her and securing it on the outside,
the widow was off and away.
Search was made for the widow, but in
vain. No trace of any ono answering the de-
scription given Of her could be found.
Neither could any Struggled goods be discov-
cred on Bleak Point, although they easily
discovered they had lately been there.
A few weeks later, late one night, hand
some young fellow dressed as a sailor entered
the village of M Advancing to the
house Of Miles Judson he fastened paper to
the door, then with loud, peculiar whistle,
crouched under one of the windows. A few
moments after and the door slowly opened
aud Ruth appeared. Tucking her under his
arm the young man led the way to where a
boat lay on the shore, and a few minutes after
they were rapidly skimming over the bay
toward ST John.
A few hours after sunrise every man,
woman and child in Nj were crowding
round the cottage of old Miles And there,
written in large, flourishing capitals, they
read:
To ALL WHOM IT MAY CoscERS-Be it known to
all men by these presents that l. Ned Bryson, be-
ing one OF the crew Of the snuggler commanded
by Capt r, finding we were continually watched
by the COMPOUNDED authorities, resolved on O plan
TO land our contraband goods Disguised as a
woman came to reside in NJ, where, finding it
convenient to land them safely and as safely dis
pose Of them, remained until q few weeks ago
For the gracious manner in which have been en-
tertained feel profoundly grateful
To Mr. William Judson would say regret ex-
ceedingiy that circumstances will prevent my
marrying him at present and sharing that new
shanty; but, wishing TO show my gratitude to the
FAMILY have taken off his sister, to whom win
be ''spliced" wind and weather permitting. to-
morrow.
NED BRYsoN, alias the ''wrDDER BLACK"