The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-08-12
TAKING CARE oFTnELoNEw WIDOW
She and Her Six Children GET IA Hius.
band and Father

charles Custer. the popular store
keeper at Renton. came to the Post
lnteIligencer office. where | was en-
ployed. and related Il very sad story,
saws writer in the Seattle Post-ln-
telligencer. lie said that a. German
woman with six children had arrived I'm
BENTON from the old country few days
before on her way to Newcastle to join
ner husband: that on her arrival in
ltenton she had learned that her hus-
band had been killed in the mines six
weeks before. She could not speak a
word of English ana was without
money or friends. Custer said the peo-
pie of Itenton had supplied her immc-
date wants. and that he had come to
Seattle to arrange for the county TO take
care of her until she was in position
To care for herself and family. When
he had finished his story he turned to
me and asked what / would advise.
Jarvis and his big ranch, with plenty
of room for the children TO romp in and
plenty of milk for them TO drink and the
four dining-room chairs popped into
nv mind like flash. and I replied:
Custer. do you think your widow
would consider matrimony as II way out
of her troubes?"
"Why. the Idea almost staggcrs me-"
replied Custer. WHO on earth wants
to marry n woman with six children.
who has only learned of the death of
her husband within the last four days?
Besides that. she cannot speak Il word
of English. She speaks German alto
gether."
she has not much the better of my
man." / replied. "IIc Is u Frcnchman,
and can neither speak English nor
German. but guess if they get married
they soon will be able to understand
each other"
Custer went further into the particulars
of my scheme. i told him who the man
was and my reasons for thinking he
would be willing to marry the German
woman, children and all. That aftc. noon
Custer went on horseback over TO Jar
Wis ranch, laid the matter before him.
and to his surprise and qualification
Perry jumped n: The chanc.. You go
back TO town and make the arrange
ments." said Jarvis. and I'll hitch up
and drive over this evening and have the
lob done at once"
"All right" said Custer, but don't
forget TO put couple of extra ats In
the wagon for the young ones"
How many did you say there werc?"
asked Jarvis.
only six. Now. don't spend too much
time sprucng up because I'll have every
thing ready b fore you can reach town II
you go for the horses at once"
AS Custer left the farm the old man
shouted Good bye. You will have to
ride lively if you beat me to town. My
horses are not driven for bride very
often. and they can stand il 10 get over
the ground at a rapid pace fox once in
their lives"
Sure enough. Custer had hardly time
10 break the VS. to the widow, through
an interpreter. before the dashlng
Frenchman came tearing through the
streets like mad. and refined mis- painting
horses up in front Of Clusters stors Be
fore leaving Seattle that day Custer had
taken the Prccaution 10 secure the nee
essary license. w5th the understanding
that II could b. returned if not used. a
preacher was called in, the bride and
groom were introduced and made man
and wife In almost the same breath.
and half an hour later Mr.. and Mrs
Jarvis and the six little ones were COM
forts bly, stated in the big lumber wagon
bound for the Jarvis homestead on Ce-
dar river, as happy as clans at h.eh
aide