The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-02-26
A DREAM OF WIDOWS.


married at the time to which this nara
tive refers.
Ny godfather was eaten by bears. The
misfortune befe1l him while spending his
honeymoon with lis beautiful bride at
Horsehy mountain Now, up to the time
of which 1 write had simply heard this
much of his eventful history. had not
verified the story, because my clothes were
never good enough to go to the mountains
and enter society there. Having lately
held four aces, however, I now found my
self on the ground, with Farmer Smiths
house as the pivot of my operations.
When supper overlook me that first
night, found myself alone at the table
with six ladies past meridian and a sew
enth in the morning time of her career.
then made my first mistake; 1 stated the
purpose of my visit to them. In the IN
certain light Of the setting sun was con-
scious that my narrative had aroused
them But little did suspect the truth.
After supper was thirsty and ventured
to the pump in the garden and was in the
act of raising the handle, when some one
threw her arms violently round my neck.
''Oh, sir Oh, sirI' pleaded feminine
voice Il am the widow of him that was
devoured by bears
Indeed 1 exclaimed for the news was
most agreeable to me tsThen we shall be
the very best of friends
"Ah, I knew it! knew you would one
day come and marry me- - she went on,
throwing her head violently against my
bosom.
EXCUSE me, madam said, turning
coldly from her and walking toward the
house was quite indignant at her gush-
ing manners and feared moreover that
she might be insane. But as I passed
along the walk 1 felt some one Juggling at
my sleeve Turning about, a second of
the coterie exclaimed:
''Win you pardon me, sir, but am the
widow of the poor man whose dust you
seek. -
THE deuce you are!" said
Eyes, she went on between her sobs,
''he was devoured by bears, and oh, OH
''What kind of bears?'' I asked
81 think they were polar BEARS" she
stammered- And then hurried on
'SOh, sir, won't you love me for my hus-
band sake?'' groaned third voice a mo-
ment later. And then I found my way
blocked again.
''What kind of bears?'' I asked.
az think they were ant bears, - she mutt
tered in faltering tones, at the same time
lunging for my neck But flung her of
and gained the porch
''At last, at lastI'' I heard some one
murmur, and then a tall female form
ventured from out a shadow.
What kind of bears?'' demanded vio-
1ently.
Performing bears, they say
She intended saying and doing more,
but another voice attracted my attention
As climbed over the speaker, who was
endeavoring to block the stairway, asked
what species of bears had made her wild
ow. She was ready and answered that
they were bugbears
''Avaunt, you miserable efigy of Ia
dyl'' 1 said in tones which were the
quintessence OF ungentleInanliness
My prayers are answered at last just
then walled sixth voice. The possessor of
it, person weighing much more than any
of the others. had essayed to detain me at
the threshold of my own room by secret
ing my key in her pocket. As kicked my
door in she went on:
II have the proof have the proofI''
t'What proof have your asked.
f'Why, buried him. -
''How did you bury him if he was eaten
by bears?" I meant to convict her. She
answered, with a smile:
81 never thought of that"
was now safe from them, but to make
doubly sure I barricaded my door and
nailed down all the windows. But during
the black and silent hours of the night
could dream of nothing but widows They
passed to and fro in platoons across my
bed, or, pointing their skinny fingers at
me, shrieked the words ''Bearsl'' and
WIDOW in my ears
1t was not until 1 awoke the following
morning that the truth dawned upon me
that 1 had yet the seventh one to deal
with, be she widow or what she would. I
came upon her she presumably lay in
wait for me near the pump, where she
knew I would be obliged to come for
drink.
She was much younger and fairer than
I thought her when at supper. But for
oil 4hat 7 1,xzI n
demanded to know if she was widow too
She smiled with some coyness and an
swered that she was, but that she differed
from the others had fallen in with.
I'm what wise do you differ from them?''
asked, for to me widows had up to this
time of my life been very much one like
'fI am grass widow she said, with a
chuckle.
For time neither of US spoke Then I
asked her why she had come there Lifting
up her eyes from the ground, she replied:
81 am seeking proof of the death of my
father, whom tradition says was devoured
by bears on the mountain. I have no other
parent to give me the truth, my mother
having died when was still in my roller
skates Seven years ago my uncle, the
only relative L had in the world, left me
FL, 600, 600, but must establish beyond
doubt that am my fathers daughter be-
fore can come by the estate. -
But tell me more about your widow
hood, )" said, for was growing nervous.
why, 1 sent my husband here upon my
uncle's death to get the required proof,
and he never returned
What became of him?'' asked eagerly.
I was conscious of a wish that he, too,
might have been eaten by the bears. But
was to be more agreeably entertained by
her answer.
ssOh. he eloped with one of that hand of
spurious widows up at the house. She
convinced him that she was my father g
genuine widow, and they have been work
ing to establish a claim to my uncle's es-
tate. -
I was overioyed with the Information.