The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-02-18
"A DREAM OF WIDOWS.

Il
to rich girls. Therefore Twas still IN
married at the time to which this nara
tive refers.
| My godfather was eaten by bears. III
misfortune befeH him while spending hi
honeymoon with his beautiful bride q
Horsefy mountain. Now, up to the tim
Of which write I had simply heard thi
much of his eventful history. had no
verified the story, because my clothes wer
never good enough to go TO the mountain
and enter society there. Having latel,
held four aces, however, now found my
self on the ground, with Farmer Smith,
house as the pivot Of my operations
When supper overlook me that flrs
night, found myself alone at the table
with six ladies past meridian and o sew
enth In the morning time of her career. |
then made my first mistake; I stated this
purpose of my visit to them. In the un.
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.
ooh, slrl Oh, STRIP pleaded a feminine
voice. II am the widow of him that was
devoured by bears"
Indeed" l exclaimed, for the news was
most agreeable to me. "Then we shall be
the very best of friends"
"Ah. knew 1t I 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 l passed
along the walk felt some one Juggling at
my sleeve. Turning about, second of
the coterie exclaimed:
"Will you pardon me, sir, but am the
widow of the poor man whose dust you
seek.
THE deuce you arer' I snid.
"Yes, " she went on between her sobs,
che was deyoured by bears, and oh, Obj
"What kind Of bears2" asked.
II think they were polar bears" she
stammered. And then hurried on.
"Oh sir, won't you love me for my hus-
bands sakeF" groaned third voice a mo.
ment later. And then l found my way
blocked again.
"What kind Of bears?" asked
II think they We're ant bears" she NUT
tered in faltering tones, at the same time
lunging for my neck. But flung her off
and gained the porch.
AT last, at lastr' heard some one
murmur, and then a tall female form
ventured from out a shadow.
"What kind of bears?" demanded VIC.
lently.
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 a wild
ow She was ready and answered that |
they were bugbears.
"Avaunt, you miserable effigy of Ia
dyp' | said in tones which were the |
qulntessence Of ngentlemanliness.
My prayers are answered at last" lust
then walled sixth voice. The possessor of
1t, 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:
~ have the proof have the proofl''
"What proof have your" asked
"Why, buried him."
How did you bury him II he was eaten
by bearsS" l meant to convict her. She
with smile:
II never thought of that"
was now safe from them, but to make
doubly sure l barricadcd my door and
nailed down all the windows. But during
the black and silent hours Of the night l
could dream of nothing but widows They
passed to and fro In platoons across my
bed, or, pointing their skinny fingers at
me, shricked the words "Bears!" and
'WidowI'' in my ears.
1t was not until l awoke the following
morning that the truth dawned upon mo
hat had yet che seventh ono to deal
With, be she widow or what she would
anne upon her as she presumably lay in
wait for mo near the pump, where She
inew would be obliged to come for
rink.
She was much younger and fairer than
thought her when at supper. But for
IL that l was onraged by her presence and
to know II she was u widow too.
|
wered chat she was, but that she differed
rom the Others l had fallen in with.
I'm what wise do you differ from them?"
asked, for to me widows had up to this
inc of my life been very much one like
mother
Il am u grass widow" she said, with u
buckle
For time neither of us spoke. Then I
sked her why she had come there. Lifting
p her eyes from the ground, she replied:
" | am seeking proof of the death of nv
lthcr whom tradition says was devoured
y bears on the mountain. have no other
aren't TO give me the truth, my mother
aving died when was still In my roller
kates Seven years ago my uncle the
My relative l had in the world, left me
i 100000, but must establish beyond
oubt that | am my fathers daughter be.
'rc can come by the estate"
but tell me more about your widow
God, / said, for was growing nervous.
why, sent my husband here upon my
ncle's death TO get the required proof, J
nd he never returned"
What became Of him2" asked eagerly
was conscious of wish that he too,
hight haVo been eaten by tho bears But
was to re more agrceably entertained by
CT answer.
"Oh, he cloped with one of that band of
curious widows up at the house. She
'nvinccd him that she was my fathers
'nuine widow, and they have been work
x TO establish claim to my unclc's rs. a
IT, "
was overjoyed with the information,
n knew possessed tho power Of clear
g up all doubt as to the death of my god.
thor l remained silent for u moment,
'gltating the best and quickest mode Of
pcedure, when she continued:
AS l said, that, was seven years ago.
ow, don't you think am free to marry
,aini'
The reader shall not longer be kept in
spense We IRE both Of US perfectly hap.
'.-LOndon Sun.
Three Words That Thrill.
Madamc-After all, the sum of human
pplnCss may be put in three words