Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1895-10-02
WOOlNG A WIDOW.
After Considerable Experience EIr. Peter.
kin Fo,rl5l the Right Method.

After Considerable Experience EiT, Peter.
kin Forntl the Right Method.
ST have often wondered. " said Squire
Ben, ''Wby it was that some women are
overwhelmed with suitUrs, SO to speak,
while others have not solitary one.
There is something queer about it, but
perhaps it comes from perfectly natural
conditions, but Of which we are un-
aware And this reminds me Of a story.
Some thirty odd years ago-I don t know
exactly how many, but it was some
time during the war of the rebellion-I
heard a story which returned soldier
group around him, to their great enjoy
ment. The story made such an impress
sion on me that I haven't forgotten it
and will tell it in outline.
"Mr. S. G. Peterkin was prosperous
young man Of business in New York
city, who got ahead in spite of his con-
stitutional modesty. This was his way
in society more than in trade. He was
afraid of women more than men. For a
long, long time he had set his heart
upon a lovely young lady named Violet.
He often called upon her and resolved
again and again to offer her his heart
and hand, but as often that heart failed
him. At last be became alarmed by the
fact that the dashing Captain Latham of
one of the sound steamers was often at
the house when he called to see Violet.
At last he could not bear the suspense
any longer, and he vsntured, with much
hesitancy and awkwardness, but with do
or die determination, to ask her if she
would be his wife. With remarkable
GOODNESS she replied:
You should have spoken long ago,
Mr.. Peterkin. have been engaged to
Captain Latham for some time past,
and we are to be married very shortly.
I am sorry to disappoint you, but we
will be as good friends as ever, and you
must come to see me just the same.
The captain will always be glad to have
your company.
''Peterkin went away sorrowful. But
brighter day soon dawned, for within
three months after they were married
the captain fell off the steamer in fog
on the sound and was drowned. Now
Peterkin took heart He would have the
widow. A year Of mourning wore slow
ly away. He kept his eye on the widow,
but would not insult the memory of the
dead by proposing until decent inter-
val had passed. The year ended, and he
laid his heart again at tho little feet of
Violet. She heard him quietly and gen.
tly remarked: My dear Mr.. Peterkin,
am sorry to disappoint you again, but
for the last six months have been en-
gagged to DR.. Jones. 1t was hard for me
to make up my NINA between him and
his friend, the handsome Lawyer Bright,
but Dr. Jones was SO good to me while
I was sick in the winter after my hus-
bands death that l promised him
would be his at tho end of the year.
$50 poor Peterkin retired once more.
The Widow Latham became Mrs. Dr..
Jones, and so remained, while the dis
comfted Peterkin wished the doctor
might take enough Of his own pills to
make an end Of him. Iiwe passed on.
Peterkin was wai.-iBg down Broadway
one day, while not far ahead OF linn he
saw two men, o8o Of whom he knew TO
be this hated DR.. Jones, A large Fat
stone was being hoisted to the coping Of
a new building. IboIopes gave way. Il
fell and instantly killed the two men.
"Peterkin rose to tho emergency of
the moment For the dead he could be
of no avail. His thoughts were ON the
widow. He turned, he ran he flew, to
her abode. When she entered the room
where he awaited her. he began: My
dear Mrs. Jones, bring you dreadful
news. l was walking Oil Broadway
when I saw stone fall from a house
upon your poor husband, and he is dead,
but you must let me comfort you. beg
you now to be mine--my Violet at last ,
Dear Mr.. Peterkin, am SO sorry,
but when Dr.. Jones and Mr.. Bright
were both begging me to marry took
the doctor and promised MI. Bright if
anything happened 10 Jones l would
certainly be his. So you see I am en-
gagged. I am sorry, for think great
deal of you. my dear Peterkin.
''Peterkin was very calm and self
contained. He said, And will you
promise to be mine when the lawyer is
no more?' Certainly will, with all
my heart and soul Then come to my
arms, my Violet, for the same stone that
killed the doctor was the death Of
Bright. and you are mine at last !'"-
Boston Herald.