Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1897-04-26
A DREAM OF WIDOWS.


honeymoon with his beautiful bride al
Horsefy mountain. Now, up to the time
of which write had simply heard this
much of his eventful history. l 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 Smith
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; stated the
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 1 suspect the truth.
After supper was thirsty and venture(
to the pump in the garden and was in the
act of raising the handle, when some ont
threw her arms violently round my neck
"Oh, sir Oh, STRIP pleaded a feminine
voice. II am the widow of him that was
devoured by bears"
"Indeed!' exclaimed, for the news was
most agreeable to me. "Then we shall bt
the very best of friends -
"Ah, knew It'll knew you would ONT
day come and marry me" she went on
throwing her head violently against my
bosom.
Excuse me, madam" l 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 felt some one tugging al
my sleeve. Turning about, a second Of
the coterie exclaimed
"Will you pardon me, sir, but I am the
widow of the poor man whose dust you
SEEK
"The deuce you are!' said.
eyes" she went on between her sobs
she was devoured by bears, and oh, OH
"What kind of bears?" asked.
II think they were polar BEARS" sht
stammered. And then hurried on.
ooh, sir, won't you love me for my hus
band sake?" groaned third voice mo
ment later. And then / found my way
blocked again.
''What kind of bears?" I asked.
II think they were ant bears" she NUT
tered in faltering tones, at the same time
lunging for my neck. But flung her of
and gained the porch.
SAT last, at lastp l heard some one
murmur, and then tall female form
yentured 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 wa.
endeavoring to block the stairway, asked
what species of bears had made her wild
ow. She was ready and answered thai
they were bugbears.
"Avaunt you miserable effigy of a la
dyP" l said in tones which were the
quintessence of ungentlemanliness.
MY prayers are answered at last" jus
then walled q sixth voice. The possessor O.
it, q person weighing much more than any
of the others, had essayed to detain me al
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 proof"
"What proof have you?" asked.
"Why, buried him."
"How did you bury him if he was eater
by bears?" l meant to convict her. Sh,
answered, with smile:
II never thought of that
was now safe from them, but to make
doubly sure l barricaded my door ant
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 al
me, shrieked the words "Bears!" ant
Widow" in my ears.
1t was not until I awoke the following
morning that the truth dawned upon mt
that had yet the seventh one to dea
with, be she widow or what she would.
came upon her as she presumably lay IT.
wait for me near the pump, where She
knew l would be obliged to come fol
drink.
She was much younger and fairer thar
thought her when at supper But fol
all that was enraged by her presence anc
demanded to know if she was q widow too
She smiled with some coyness and an
swered that she was, but that she differed
from the others had fallen in with.
"In what wise do you differ from themT
I asked, for to me widows had up to this
time Of my life been very much one like
another.
II am a grass widow" she said with q
chuckle.
For time neither of us spoke. Then
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 devourec
by bears on the mountain. I have no othel
parent to give me the truth. my mother
having died when was still in my rollel
skates. Seven years ago my uncle, thu
only relative had in the world, left mt
21,000,000, but must establish beyont
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, l sent my husband here upon m,
uncle's death to get the required proof
and he never returned
"What became Of him?" Iasked eagerly
was conscious Of wish that he, too
might have been eaten by the bears. Blu
was to be more agreeably entertained b.
her answer.
sob, he eloped with one Of that band 0
spurious widows up at the house. Sh
convinced him that abe was my father
genuine widow, and they have been work
Ing to establish q claim to my uncle's es
tate"
was oyerioyed with the information