The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1895-09-13
THE CHARMING WIDOW.

III IL VII ~ IL il wv W NV w
eyes. my boys" said the old fellow,
ruminatively contemplating his gouty
foot, Eyes, my boys, have been in
love. and not SO many years since,
neither. Pass round the glasses, and
Ill tell you all about it. 1t was just
after my partner, old Rodgers, died,
and went to Il land where discount Is
unknown. that | was sitting In my
priyate office one afternoon when
young lady in deep mourning was
ushcrcd in.
"'Oh. Mr.. Rodgers she cried, clasp
Ing her daintily gloved hands together
and looking at me ke-like-like-any-
thing. and she had eyes boys, | tell
you; 'oh. Mr.. Rodgers, forgive me,
butch, but were you ever at school
at AndoverT
81 never was at school in my l'fe,
madam | answered.
'She sighed, whether at my educa-
tional deficiency or not, 1t Is hard to
say. That sigh, boys. she fetched right
up from somewhere in her boots. II
was the tallcst sigh | ever heard.
"'And you never knew Tony Trot.
ter? she continued; and could see
her lovely cyelds trembling, and hear
the beating of her anguished heart.
;ell YOU, boys, | was downright asham-
ell never to have known Tony Trottcr;
I'd have given hundred dollars to
have known Tony Trotter Mt that mo-
ment.
u haven't the pleasure, maam, said
I: but If you'll introduce me, I'll"
"'He is my dear departed she an
swered, with one of the most exquis-
tie sobs that ever fell on mortal ear.
Pardon my intrusion, | am alone In
the world, friendless and homeless.
Passing along the street | saw the
well-known name of Rodgers on the
door. "Can il be-" | asked myself; "is
IL possible" | cried that Providence
has cast me in the path of Tony's best
loved companion? This might be my
dear departed's dearest, dearest friend,
the Rodgers whose name was on his
dying lips. the Rodgers of his infant
moments, the Rodgers of his ripper
years. i" But pardon me, sir, l
am mistaken; | will no longer intrude
upon your time"
81 couldn't let her go like that. I
caught her by the hand. You are In
grief. in sorrow and Distress l cried;
'contide in me-
".No, no. no. there Is still the river
left she answered; and those eyes OF
hers rolled in n manner that made me
think of the morgue and inquests at
once
"Well, boys, pleaded, and she look
ed Mt me like-llkc-li like-a widowed
seraph-and as | besought her to CON
slider me Just as If had been at school
at Andover with Tony, she melted,
and she told me her woes.
''I never enjoyed anybodys woes so
much for somehow her hand slid into
mine, and her eycs-oh, boys. those
eypsi Well, of course, II was the want
of money that troubled her" continued
the old fellow. after Il pause; "and for
Tony's sake couldn't do less than give
her n check and the trouble | had to
persuade her to take 1t, and when she
left, showering profuse blessings on
nv head. / felt as if the light had gone
out of the skies.
.Yes. boys. | had it bad; I'd never
been took like that before In all my
life. and felt that at last I'd met my
fate. The dear creature, with innate
modesty, refused to give me her ad-
dress. but promised to call again III
fortnight; but before the fortnight was
up, Rodgers executors and | had a
difference. which ended in my taking
an office in another street hair Il mlle
away, and, abandoning the old style
of the firm, | ceased to do business as
Rodgers & Co. and traded under my
own name as plain William Wicks. l
left instructions at this old office that
when the lady called she was to be
sent ON TO my new address
"At last she came; and l started
from my seat to meet her, but there
was no CLEAN of recognition in her
face. | saw she did not recognize me-
and waited anxiously, perhaps q
little nervously, to hear what chance
had brought her again across my pain
"'Oh. Mr.. Wicks,' she exclaimed, IN
that gentle, vibrating voice ] remem
Der so well, 'oh, Mr.. Wicks, forgive q
woman's tears, but We're you-tell me
OH tell me-wcre You ever at schooi u,
Andover? Oh, how often have hearo
the name of Wicks on the lips OF ina,
dearest and best of men, now lying al
peace within the silent tomb.
"'Madam,' said |, "a month ago the
name of your deceased husbands bes,
and dearest friend was Rodgers! Gel
outp
"She looked at me for moment
bovs with those wonderful eyes OIL
hers and | saw merry twinkle lurk
ing In the corners.
10 think of my not remembering
you she said, laughing, but I'VE seei
so many since. It's good dodge
don't give me away
Fashion in Dogs.
al,u,, Ia