Smyrna times., 1896-05-06
SOBER SECOND THOUGHT.

SOBER SECOND THOUGHT.
After the fifth year of Mrs. Osgood's
widOwhood had passed away everybody
in Lebanon commenced to say it was
shame that she didn't marry again.
There had been time, half year be-
fore, when it seemed as though there
was possibility of her doing such a
thing, and then the vacillating public
had thrown up its hands in horror and
declared that to so desecrate the mem
OFy of q loved one in such short time
was sacrilege pure and simple, and that
no right-minded woman would think
of bestOwing herself as helpmate upon
another before the lamented OsgOod
was cold in his grave. Four years and
a half was hardly sufficient time for a
person to attain a state of frigidity,
reckoning by Lebanon standards. But
when her cousin, who had been visit
ing her for short time, went back
East and the severely censured widow
very clearly demonstrated that her in
tentiOns had been entirely misunder-
stood, Lebanon, collectively and in
dividually, began to lean forward to
the other side of the fence, and it
wasn't long till it had jumped clear
over and was equally loud in its de-
nqneiati0n of Q woman who was sell
tishly Withholding the light of her
comely eountenanee from some poor
wayfarer whose path might need illu-
mining by her presence.
Perhaps the one person in Lebanon
who was most sincerely grieved by
Mrs. OsgOod's Oft-repeated and evil
IDENTIFY meant assertion that she had no
desire to renOunce her widowhOOd was
John Lawrence. Lawrence was q re-
tired politician, who for some 20-odd
years had served his country In one
capacity and another, but who had at
last grown tired of originating and ex-
eeuting schemes for the party's aggran-
diZement, and had settled down on
the proceeds realized, which, though
large, were not commensurate with
the prodiglOus amount of work which
he had conscientiOusly performed.
He had long looked with cOvetOus
eye on Mrs. OsgoOd, and even when
the report that she had pEoqoQQced
her ultimatum in regard to second
marriages was tripping from tongue to
tongue, the natural buoyancy of his
nature prevailed and he bolstered up
his spirits with the hope that the
widow had wisely declined to set up
the true secret of her heart to be
pecked at by the social laws. Hope
did not allay suspense, and in order
to relieve the troubled state of his
mind he decided to content himself no
longer with secQnd-had decisions, but
to apply directly to the court of justice,
as administered by the widow, for a
verdict.
Mr.. Lawrence's experience as q
| politician had bred in him an air of ex-
treme urbanity when in the presence
of women and children taken as
a collective part of a voters possession,
but dealing with one of the opposite
sex at close range and as a distinct in
dividual was something rarely essayed
| by the erstwhile willy manager, and
the morning when he called ON Mrs.
Osgood to learn whether or no there
we're good grounds for the rqmOrs
then atiOat his manner gave evidence
| OF trepidation such as he could not
remember ever to have fiOundered in
before. The candid greeting 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
filled his diplomatic soul with
horror in political move, he went at
the subject that was responsible for
his visit
!, Mrs. OagOad,n he said, between
asthmatic catches of his breath, "I
hear it said throughout the village that
you never intend to marry again. NY
neighbOrs-y neighbors- neigh
bOrs-consider this not only folly but
a positive wrong on your part. l see
more clearly, perhaps, than any other,
the fallacy of your conclusions, and
heseeeh you TO consider, if gossip has
reported you correctly. Mrs, OagOOd,
do you mean never to marry again?"
The lady's face was tinged with a
slight flush and she hesitated a mo-
ment before answering.
Really, Mr.. Lawrence" she replied,
at length ''yOur question is q pointed
one, and l was trying to decide
whether or not you have a right to ex-
pect an answer. But, as it is a matter
on which have no reason 10 maintain
any partieular secrecy l don't mind
telling you that l am decidedly pre-
ludlced against second marriages,
such a course might be pardonable in
some cases, perhaps, but in this in
stance, never"
Lawrence's countenance was elon-
gated to a ridiculous degree.
Since you have positively stated
that much," he hazarded, s'perhaps
you will tell me what is your reason?'
She turned in her chair until her
gaze rested ON the figure of boy who
was training vines in the garden be-
yond the wide driveway.
'My life belongs to him" she said,
softly, and the tears welled up in her
pretty eyes and trembled on her lone
lashes ''He is my only child, and SC
long as l can keep him with me /
shall have no desire for another com
Ianion. When he marries which
time, please heaven, will never come
while live-then l may consider the
ndvisability of choosing another hus
band"
Lawrence sighed, In his oaloula
tions Of prospective happiness Ga,
Widows son had never been consid
sred an unknown quantity, and h,
knew to q degree Of commendable ex
ilctness the age of the young hopeful
In question. He wouldn't be 10 unit
the following December. The pros
pect was not very encouraging. I'm
3 tier tnt laws VI bfit 0tttt IL Wtth nlNAl1
improbable that he should take unit
himself wife before he was 81, ant
viewing the matter even from that OK
iraordinarily favorable standpoint, IA,
old mans heart grew heavy with ap
prehension as he thought OF the yearl
That must necessarily elapse before IA
could hope for fruition of his plans
$50 may take that answer as final
suppose" he suggested, meekly,
/ She nodded.
"And whom your son mnrries, then
take II, there will be no harm done /
bring up this matter againy'
"No harm, certainly not, wis th
smiling reioinder. "But don't thinl
> pf that improbable event. II belong
to the far-way future.
That ended the politicians court
ship Of Mrs Osgood, and gradnall
the affection which he lad alNav
cherished for the mother seemed 10 +
Withdrawn from her shrine aud de
poaited al the feet Of her son. Loraii
Oegood WAS possessed Of his mother
ardent diapoaltion, untempered by he
reserve, and he returned the pohere,
friendship good measure. The boy
18th birthday and four succeeding one
came and went, making great red.lel
Ter dnQa In John Lawraneaia ealanaa.