The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1896-10-08
wooINe A WIDOW.
After Considerable Experience Mr.. Peter
kin Found the Right Method.

After Considerable Experience Mr.. Peter
: kin Found the Right Method.
Il have often wondered, said Squire
Ben, why it was that some women are
overwhelmed with suitors, so to'speal,
while others have not a solitary one.
There Is something queer about 1t, but
perhaps it comes from perfectly natural
conditions. but of which we are I'M
aware. And this reminds me of q
story. Some thirty-odd years ago-I
don't know exactly how many, but 1t
was some time during the war-I heard
story which returned soldier was
reading in q newspaper to q little
group around him, to their great en-
joyment. The story made such an inn
precision on me that haven't forgotten
IL, and will tell it in outline.
MIR. S. c. Peterlsin was a prosper
Gus 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 long, long time he had
set his heart upon lovely young lady
named Violet. lie often called upon
her, and resolved again and again to
offer his heart and hand, but as often
that heart failed him. At last he be-
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, to ask her to
be his wife, With remarkable coolness
she replied:
You should have spoken long ago.
Mr. Peterkin; have been engaged to
Capt. Latham for some time past, and
we are to be married very shortly. L
am sorry to disappoint you. but we
viii be as good friends as ever, and you
fasst conc to see me just the same.
The captain viii always be glad.to
have your company.
.sfetcrllin went away sorrowful. but
a brighter day soon oawned, for VITA
ia three months after they were mar
ried the captain fell OFF the steamer in
a fog on the sound and was drowned.
how 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
decent interval had passed The
year ended, and be laid his heart again
Mt the little feet Of Violet. She heard
him quietly and gently remarked: My
dear Mr. Peterhin, am sorry to dis
appoint you again, but FOR the last six
months l have been engaged TO Dr.
Jones. 1t was hard for me to make up
my mind between him and his friend,
the handsome Lawyer Bright, but DR..
Jones was SO good to me while / was
sick In the winter. after my husbands
death, that promised him would be
his at the end of the year
$50 poor Peterlsin retired once more;
the Widow Latham became Mrs DR.
Jones, and so remained. while the dis
comfited Peterkin wished the doctor
might take enough of his own pills to
make an end of him. Time passed on
Peterkin was walking down Broadway
one day, while not far ahead of him he
saw two men. one of whom he knew to
be this hated DIR. Jones A large fiat
stone was being hoisted to the coping OF
new building; the ropes gave way: it
fell and instantly killed the two men.
.Peterlxin rose to the emergency Of
the moment. For the dead he could be
Of no avail His thoughts were on the
widow. He turned, he ran, he few, to
her abode. When she entered the
room where he awaited her he began.
Ny dear Mrs Jones. bring you
dreadful news. / was walking on
broadway, when / saw a 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. Peterlrin, am SO SORRY,
but when DIR. Jones and Mr. Bright
were both begging me to marry. took
the doctor and promised Mr.. Bright I.
anything happened 10 Jones / would
certainly be his So you see am en-
gagged. am sorry, for / think great
of you, my dear Peterkin.'
''Pcferixin was very calm and self
contained. He said: And will you
promise to be mine when the lawyer is
no rnore?' Certainly viii. with all
my heart andsoul.' Then come to NJ y
arms, my Violet, for the same stone
that killed the doctor was the death a
Bright. and you are mine at lasti'1--
Boston Herald.