Smyrna times., 1894-06-06
The Charming Widow.

Eyes, my boys" said the old fellow,
ruminatively contemplating his gouty
foot, "yes, | have been in love, and not
so many years since either. I'll tell
you all about it. Il was just after my
partner, old Rogers, died, and went to
land where discount is unknown,
that l was sitting in my private Office
one afternoon when young lady in
deep mourning was ushered in.
'Oh, Mr.. Rogers, she cried, clasp
ing her daintly-gloved hands together
and looking at me like-like-like any
thing; and she had eyes, boys, tell
you; oh, Mr.. Rogers, pray, forgive me,
but-oh, but were you ever at school
at Andover?"
I never was at school in my life,
madam l answered.
'She sighed, whether at my educa-
| tional deficiency or not, it is hard to
say. That sigh, my boys, she fetched
right up from somewhere in her French
boots. 1t was the tallest sigh l ever
heard.
"'And you never knew Tony Trot-
ter ?" she continued.
81 could see her lovely eyelids
trembling and hear the benting of her
anguished heart. l tell you, boys,
was downright ashamed never to have
known Tony Trotter; I'd have given
$10O to have known Tony Trotter at
that moment.
81 haven't the pleasure, ma'am,
said I, but if you'll Introduce me-
''She fetched up one of the most ex-
quisite sobs that ever fell on mortal
ear.
He is my dear Departed she re.
piled. Pardon my intrusion. l am
alone in the, homeless and friendless
Passing along the street, ] saw the
well-known name of Rogers on the
door. and wondered if Providence
had cast me in the path of TOny's best
loved companion? This might be my
dear departed's dearest, dearest friend
the Rogers whose name was on his dy
ing lips, the Rogers of his infant mo
ments, the Rogers of his ripper years,
but pardon me, sir, am mistaken;
will no longer intrude on your time.
II couldn't let her 20 like that.
caught her hand.
You are in sorrow and Distress
cried 'confde in me-
g No, 10, no. there is still the river
left to me, she answered
How those eyes of hers rolled
; thought of the morgue and the inquest
! at once. Well, boys, pleaded, anC
she looked at me like-like-like
/ widowed seraph-and, as l besough
her to consider me just as if I had beel
at school at Andover with Tony, sh
l melted, and she told me her woes.
, II never enjoyed anybody's woes 8
much, for somehow her hand had silt
!, into mine. and her eyes-oh, boys
{ those eyes Well, of course, it was tn
: want of money that troubled her, icon
T tinued the old fellow after a pause
"and for Tony's sake l couldn't do les
= than give her check ,and what troubl
1 had to persuade her to take it An
when she left, showering profuse bless
ings on my head, ] felt as if the ligh
had gOne out Of the skies.
"Yes, boys, had it bad; I'd neve
been took like that before in all m
life, and felt that at last I'd met NJ
fate. The dear creature modestly re
fused to give me her address, but pre-
missed to call again in a fortnight; bu
before the fortnight was up, Rogers
executors and ! had difference Whic
ended in my taking an office in al
other street half mile away, ant
abandoning the old style of the firm,
ceased to do business as Rogers & CC
and used my own name, plain WilliaI
Wicks. l left instructions at the ol
Office that when the woman called sh
was to be sent on to my new addres
"'Oh, Mr.. Wicks, she exclaimed,
that gentle, vibrating voice l remeu
bered SO well, forgive a woman's tear
but were you-tell me, oh, tell me-
were you ever at school at AndOVeT
Oh, how often have l heard the nan
of Wicks on the lips of that dearest al
best of men now lying forever at pea
within the silent churchyard.
Madam said l, a month ago Il
name of your deceased husbands be
and dearest friend was ROgers'
''She looked at me for a mOmen
boys, with those fine eyes of hers, ar
1 saw a merry twinkle lurking in the
- corners.
To think of my not rememberil
you,' she said laughing, but I've SCI
Y so many since. It is q good dodge
y don't give me aWaV !"