St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1896-05-23
HIS GREATEST MOVE.
NJ EMMA n. WISE.

lilo VlEA LOl INV As
DY EMMA ~. WISE.
After the fifth year Of Mrs. Osgood's
widowhood had passed away everybody
in Lebanon commenced to say it was a
shame that she didn't marry again.
There had been time half a year be- !
fore when it seemed as though there
was a possibility of her doing such a
thing, and then the vacillating public
had thrown up its hands in horror and
had declared that to SO desecrate the
memory of a loved one in such short
time was sacrilege pure and simple.
and that no right-tninded woman would
think of bcstowing herself as hclpmate
upon another before the lamented Os-
good was cold in his grave. Four years
and % half wns hardly sufficient time
for person to attain state OF frigidIty,
reckoning by Lebanon standards. But
when her cousin. who had been visiting
her for short time, went back east and
the severely censurcd widow very clear
~ demonstrated that her intentions
rad been entirely misunderstood, Leb-
anon. collectively and individually. be-
gan to lean toward the other side of the
fence, and it wasn't long till it had
Jumped clear over and was equally loud
in its renunciations of a woman who
was selfishly Withholding the light of
her comely countcnance from some poor
wayfarer whose path might need illum-
lining by her presence.
Perhaps the one person in all Lebanon
who was most sincerely grieved by Mrs.
Osgood's oft repeated and evidently
meant assertion that she had no desire
to renounce her widowhood was Joseph
Lawrence. Lawrence was q retired pol
itician, who for some twenty-odd years
had served his country in one capacity
and another, but who had at last
grown tired of originating and execut-
ing schemes for the party's aggrandize-
ment and had settled down on the pro-
cceds realized, which. though large.
were not commensurate with the pro-
digious amount OF work which he had
cOnscientiously performed. He hadlOng
looked with covetous eyes on Mrs. Os-
good, and even when the report that she
had pronounced her ultimatum in re
gard to second marriages was tripping
from tongue to tongue, the natura!
buoyancy of his nature prevailed and
he bolstered up his spirits with the
hope that the widow had wisely de-
clined to set up the true secret of her
heart to be pecked Mt by social davis.
Hope did not allay suspense, however,
Ond in order to relieve the troubled
state of his mind he decided to content
himself no longer with secondhand de-
cisions, but to apply directly to the
court Of justice as administered by the
widow. for verdict.
Mr.. Lawrcnce's experience as poll
ticinn had bred in him an air of extreme
urbanity when in the presence Of wom-
en- and children taken as a collective
part of voters possessions. but dealing
with one of the opposite sex at close
range and as = distinct individual was
something rarely essayed by the erst-
while willy manager, and the morning
when he called on Mrs. Osgood to learn
whether or no there were good grounds
for the rumors then afloat his manner
gave evidence of q trepidation such rs
he could not remember ever to have
Aoundered in before. The candid greet
ing which his hostess always extended
TO callers, instead of putting him at
his ease, only served to bewilder him
the more and. with bluntness which
would have filed his diplomatic sou;
with horror in a political move, he
went at the subject that was responsible
for his visit.
..Mrs. Osgood," he said. between asth-
matte catches of his breath, II hear it
said throughout the village that you
never intend to marry again. My neigh
bors-your neighbors-our neighbors
consider this not only folly but
positive wrong on your part. l see,
more clearly. perhaps, than any other,
the fallacy of your conclusions and be-
secch you to reconsider. if gossip has re-
ported you correctly. Mrs. Osgood. do
you mean never to marry again?''
The lady's face was tinged with a
slight flush. and she hesitated mo.
nent before answering.
Really, Mr.. Lawrence. she replied,
1t length. your question is a very
pointed one, and l was trying to de-
eide whether or not you have a right
~ expect an answer. But as it is a
unatter on which have no reason to
1naintain any particular secrecy, don't
usind telling you that am decidedly
nreiudiced against second marriages.
Such course might be pardonable in
nusne cases, but in this instance. never" !"
Iawrence's cOuntenance was elongated
fo . ridiculous degree.
..Since you have positively stated that
aauch,. he hazarded, perhaps you viii
tell me what is your reason"
She turned in her chair till her gaze
rested On the figure of boy. who was
training vines in The garden beyord
fAe wide driveway.
NY life belongs to him." she said,
aoftly,-and the tears welled up in her
.retty~syce and trembled on her long
]. is my only child. and 81
] - 4 Fan keep him with me shall
a.vc u f5fS5Te for another companion
1rhen - 1aarries. which time. please
S1rM never come while live
/ - h0a0nconsider the advisability u
5nnine shae1lef husband
s. 16Nreih ihighed. In his calculation,
cepectiye happiness the wiGlow'l
shad never been considered IN IN
Y 0alcntity, and be knew to de
5