The Afro-American advance., 1900-09-08
t Romance Of Two WidOWerS /
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I EMUEL BIcKETTS was "a widower.
L. SO also was Emanuel Crostrr. II
was but natural that there should exist
between the two fellow feeling.
The wife of Lemuel had arisen one
day In 1T Of III temper Justified. per-
hapa, 40 far aA III temper IL ever insti-
fed and repaired 10 lawyers office.
where she stated her complaint. Lem
uel had not tFeaseei her with due con.
liberation. lie h8s expected too much
OF her. lie wak old enough to be her
father. No woman, she said. could pre-
pare from nothing three meals day
gnd still retain her self-respect. The
lawyer admitted the truth Of the sta te-
ment. lie inquired whether or not
Lemuel had ever treated her with
physical cruelty. YeSi he had made her
split the wood. Very good. At the next
term Of the district court she was de-
elared free of the bonds which had
bound her to Lemuel.
hut the case OF the wife of Emanuel
suffering sort. and the thought Of di.
vorce had never entered into her blunt
ed mind. She did the best she could
for Emanuel. When nothing 20 eat was
forthcoming she boiled dandelion greens
aud endured the harsh criticisms OF
Emanuel in silence. In the end she
stretched herself upon the bedding
which had constituted her dowry aud
peacefully repaired TO another world.
II was a severe shock to Emanuel.
When the funeral had been over for
several hours. and the two children lad
been fed upon milk furnished by kind
neighbor, Emanuel atrolled over 20 con.
dole with LeInuel aud 10 be condoled
with. He found Lcmucl sitting discon.
solately upon tho front step of his resi-.
dence. The two older children were be.
side him. His wife had taken the baby.
Good evenln'," said Emanuel In a
tone OF sorrow.
"Saine TO you" said Lrnuei. lie arose
10 the full limit Of his awkward, un.
gainly six feet four inches and extend
ed his hand-he had but one. the other
having been removed with the arm at
a Fourth OF July demonstration. "Glsd
10 see you. How're you feelln's
"Bad-~bad." said Lemurl. hollowly.
How're your
"'isout the same" replied Lemuel.
The world looks mighty glum to n
teller that hain't got woman"
III does that" said Emanuel.
"what're you goln TO do9"
Dunno. What're your"
dunno"
Nothing more was said for time.
Then Lemurl cast OF the abstraction
which was upon him and spoke.
II reckon somethln'a got TO be di5l for
the kids; they We got TO have somebody
to look after 'em."
You're right" agreed Emanuel,
"the--the kida must be took care Of"
And nothin' but woman can do Il. "
said Iemuel.
'Nothin' but a woman" repeated
Emanuel.
Then"
''Yeahq''
'rhe thing TO dos to set woman"
II reckon"
women IL plenty enough in the
world, We'd have no trouble. you and
me, gettin' one II We was prettler.
I'm iopslded. and you've got impedi.
ment In your gait"
This was very near the truth,
Emanuel by some prank of nature had
been gifted with Knee action at the
hips and with hip action at the knees,
producing an effect at which some
people laughed, II was a tender point
with Emanuel. and he iarcd mp a biz
at Lemasl's words.
YOU'RE H." he began. but Lemnel
held up hia great over.devsloped
hand.
''Don't get excited. Man. he said
.Don't forget that shes only been
dead . little while You owe sons
respect 10 her melnory-thaugh
s'pose." he added, refieetiveiy, shes
bout as dead as she ever win be"
Il s'poae." sighed Emanuel.
Then Lemuel sent the children Into
the shAnty and approached Emanuel
glancing about him cautiously ai hs
did 80.
sMan.- be said. In a whisper. srvs
got the-the dangdust best thing you
ever seen"
@what IL itf" asked Emanuel. sus
plciously.
Eemuel drew a dirty, wrinkiea pa.
per from hIs pocket and unfoldcd Il
-Look al thsti" he said. triumph,
antly. holding up the sheet. ''capid'I
Dart. More'n . handred beautiful
wealthy ladies' wants husbands--dy'
In for 'em, Man. dyin' for 'em.
Emanuel gaspcd. DIDO they meAz
lt7~ he asked. ineredulcusly.