Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1892-08-04
A WILLING WIDOW.
How Love AnaIrs are settled In Posey
County.


County.
A score Of MS were sitting in the
shade Of the depot building waiting for
the train, which was an hour late,
when yoke Of oxen attached to a
queer looking old cart turned the
corner They were driven by woman
about fifty years Of age who was bare
foot and wore n mans straw hat
Get up thar, Buck!" she exclaimed
as she laid the Cad" on the off OK with
"A resounding whack. You thar, Pete,
what you skittishun round that way
fur2 Whoa, nowl Both Of yous stan
still"
She turned them up 10 the platform,
threw down some hay taken from the
cart, and came up among us TO inquire
Of the depot agent about barrel Of
salt. He was busy just then and she
was was waiting around when the
smart Aleck OF the crowd who was
travelling for a wine house, remarked
in tones meant for her 20 overhear:
81 have always said that II married
AT all I'd marry woman who could
drive oxen
"Is that meant fur me2' she asked, as
she walked straight up TO him.
Are you widow, ma'am|
81 am. Bin a wilder ever since a
saw-log rolled over Jim nine years ago"
And you'd marry again II you had
the opportunity, would your
~ would. When Jim lay dyin' IN
the house he told me to marry again II
I had a show"
"Ahem! see. Could you love sec
ond husband7'
~ could. II runs in our family TO
love. We begin airly and keep 1t up to
the grave. What's your proposition2
I'm a plain woman, full o. bizness, and
never do any foolin'. II you've got any
thin to say SPIT IL right out afore 'em
alp"
IL don't want to marry just now, ~
he stammered.
Don't, Ell? Then what's the use OF
gcttin' me on my tip-toes about ~
You man, you jest the same rs asked
me to have you, and jest the same as
accepted youl"
"Ohl No, MOI merely made some
inquiriesl" he replied.
"Thcm inquiries was about love, sir
and my hearts thumpin' away like
all git out! | said I'D marry agin, and
| will. We are engaged. When do you
want me TO be ready2'
Madam, you have totally misunder-
stood me-" explained the young man
as he turned all sorts Of colors and ap
pcared to grow small 81 asked you a
few questions out of curiosity"
"Mcbbe the jury will call it curiosity
and mebbe they wont?' she said
as she set her jaw. They dom
allow no foolin' round in Posey
county. When a Teller goes as fur n
you hcv it's hitch or damages. I'm {
trcmblin' all over like girl, an my
hearts a tryin' to jump out It's reg laI
love or don't know the road hum
You don't leave here, young man, til
this case is settled?'
"But, ma Fam, you SEE
~ don't see nuthin' but marriage o
damages. You've asked me to hav,
YOU. ! said | would. win you MARI!
or settlc?"
"How-how much2' he gasped, as h
looked around and failed to find an.
sympathy
"Wall, Saginaw salt is dollar and
quarter bar'l," She replied, AS sh
glanced at row of barrels down tn
platform, 81 guess the oxen kin 81
hum with two bar'ls Make II two an
I'll call IL squar.'
Everybody grinned except the youn
man. He realized that he was done "a
and got out of the box by plankin
down the two dollars and u half 20 III
agent. The cart was driven around I
the spot, the barrels loaded up, an
then the woman came back to say
the young mani
; "T'vc settled this case and the salt
in the cart, but jest want to rcmar
that II you happen this way agin, ar
= you happen to feel so awfully cunni
that you can't hold yourself you'd be
: ter go slow on widdcrs. Thar's sixteo
; OF us round here, an we all drive va
, lar oxen hitched to carts, an wo all {
b'rioot in the summer and sigh TO q
married ngin. The regular fgger
three bar'ls Of salt and pound OF tc
y but OWN to your youth and that thu
derstorm comm up I've let you @
easy. Good day, bub; good day, all
Would