The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-11-08
WOOING A WIDOW.

After Considerable Experience BIF. Peter.
kin Found the Right Method.
81 have often wondered" said Squire
Ben, why 1t was that some women are
overwhelmed with suitors, 80 to speak,
while others have not q solitary one.
There is something queer about it, but
perhaps it comes from perfectly natural
conditions, but of which we are IN
aware. And this reminds me of a
story. Some thirty-odd years sgo-I
don't know exactly how many, but IL
was some time during the war-I heard
story which a returned soldier was
reading in newspaper to a little
group around him, to their great en-
joyment The story made such an i'm
preston on me that haven't forgotten
it, and will tell il in outline.
''Mr. s. c. Peterkin was q prosper
ous young man of business in New
York city, who got ahead In spite of
his constitutional 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 lovely young lady
named Violet He often called upon
her, and resolved again and again to
offer his heart and hand. but as often
came alarmed by the fact that the
dashing Capt 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 ventured, with much
hesitancy and awkwardness, but with
do-or-die determination. 10 ask her TO
be his wife. With remarkable GOODNESS
she replied:
"'You should have spoken long ago,
Mr.. Peterkin; / have been engaged to
Capt Latham for some time past, and
we are 70 be married very shortly. I
am sorry TO disappoint you, but we
will be as good friends IS ever, aud you
must come TO see me just the same
The captain viii always be glad.to
have your company.
"Peterkin went away sorrowful But
o brighter day soon davned. for with
In three months after they were mar
ried the captain fell of the steamer in
q fog on the sound and vas drowned.
Now Peterkin took heart He would
have the widow. A year of mourning
wore slowly away. He kept his eye on
the widow, but would not insult the
memory of the dead by proposing until
a decent interval had passed The
year ended, and be laid his heart again
al the little feet Of Violet she heard
him quietly aud gently remarked: Ny
dear Mr.. Peterkin. am sorry TO 6is-
appoint you again, bat for the last SIX
months I have been engaged 70 DR..
Jones IL was hard for me TO make up
M mind between him AID his frieno.
the handsome Lawyer Bright. but Dr..
Jones was so good 70 me while vss
sick in the winter. after my husbands
death. that promised him would be
his 81 the end Of the year
80 poor Peterkin retired once mere.
the Widow Latham became Mira Or.
Jones. AID so remained. vhile the dis
cozfted Peterkin vikhed the doctor
might take enough Of his OWE pills 20
TEske al end o. aim Time passed on-
Pe;eri1ia was walking down Broadway
one dsF. while not lar ahead az hirn he
saw two u,sn- one Of whom he knew 20
Be this hated Dr. Jones' A large "a;
stone WAS being hoiste3 20 the coping q
Jew bzilding. The ropes gave war. IL
fell 21d instantly killed The ITO Esen
''PeterkIn rose % The emergency q
the moment For The dead he eosId be
O: no avail ais thozghts we're &C tie
widow He turned hs rae. he ee~, 20
bar aeSde when ale catered sae