The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-11-30

He did't live week, an never knew
anybody after the second day. When
the funeral was over, began to re-
member, and to think what might
; happen again witout will: for Mr..
Jones had Il nephew, jacob. who was
an awful graspin' man.
"He came in the very next day, and
we Looked over all Mr.. Jones's papers,
but we couldn't find atty.
Then Jacob spoke right up, Mis-
Jones. you can have your thirds, 6ut
you can't have no more, for, legally,
the rest goes to me-
"Mr. Jones had been real kind
husband, and I felt awful lonesome
anyway. So I just broke down, and
began to cry. Jacob got up, and went
out, but / knew he'd come back, and
he did the next mornin,' and brought
a. lawyer with him, They said we
didn't need to have an auction and
they'd give in a good many of my
things but the best of 'em must have
price fixed. and them Jacob put his
hand on that chest Of drawers and
said, This thing is worth more than it
was at first, but Pm willin' to let it go
for twenty-five dollars = I'd got some
money laid by me, and waited until
things were settled. Then / brought
it out, and paid down for all had.
He and the lawyer were standin' right
there, and 1 had all could do to bear
it. I was so wrought up [ s'pOse
said more'n I ought; but / did not
speak my mind to Jacob. I told him
he needn't ever darken my doors again
for he was no better than thief. l
said the law ought to help widows,
when husbands died so sudden they
hadn't no time to make will but, if
it didn't, their relatives had no need
to take advantage Of it.
"Mr. Jones was worth considerable
property, and so my thirds gave me
the house and garden over again, and
money in the bank enough to keep
me besides; but I never had any call
to invite Jacob here after that final
settlement. l..
"Well, 'twarn't more'n two years
again before, one cold winter night,
when was sittin' here real comforta
BILE by the fire, heard knock at the
front door. / opened it, and there
was Mr.. Smith, who lived in another
part Of the town.
"He was widower, though his wife
hadn't been dead more than six
months. I never thought what he'd
come for. He always seemed to be
well-meanin' man. hadn't anything
against him.
"He took seat by the fire. 1t was
pretty hot and he kept pushin' his
chair back until he got beside that
chest, and then he couldn't get no
further.
"But before ong he took hold of one
of the handles, and began to work it
back and forth and then he burst out:
mis- Jones, don't you think you
and 1 could get along together? We're
both pretty lonesome.'
II shouldn't have fared up as did,
if I hadn't seen him holdin' on to that
handle but it all came over me how I
had to suffer, and I just rose right up,
and said
"Mr. Smith, I've bought aud paid
for that chest of drawers three times;
Pm goin' to own it as long as I live !;
and no man is ever goin to have
claim on it again !" .,
He understood, for the folks all over
town had heard about my things. He
got right up and said /: 'Good-n might,
Mis- Jones. I guess I'll be goin'. My
horse don't like to stand long,"
'He warn't to blame but barred
the door after he'd gone, and then ]
said to myself:
"'Abigial Jones, you are a widow
once more, and you'll stay a widow
the rest of your days )"