Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-07

Every time I see a pair of happy lovers
or read a tale of true love 1 am reminded
OF the remarkable devotion displayed Tor
the widow Dickens by my friend. Peter
Spiggot. All, but she was well worth the
winning; a fine plump woman not over
thirty, light of foot and gay without folly.
with complexion like lady blush apple,
soft, silky hair, with q CLINT like copper
kettle where the sun struck it, and voice
that was better than any medicine In
sick room. Peter was bound to have her,
and small blame to him, but the poor man
had some terrible flaws He was barely
turned fortythree and, you might say. in
the very prime of life. but he was bald as
a pumpkin, brown as potato and gang
ling as a beanpole When he first began
to court the widow she looked on him as a
fair good joke. but he let her see right
away that he was plumb In earnest and. In
spite of his looks, the widow soon began to
like him mighty well. But when 1t came
to the point of marrying she kept telling
him No"
Peter" she said at last, after he had
been pressing her hand for season. you're
kind and free hearted; you've got enough
OF this worlds goods to make a wife COM
Portable and / don't mind owning up that
you would be my first choice II 1t wasn't
for few drawbacks. For one thing I
never could marry a man by the name OF
Spiggot Dickens amt such an uncommon
fancy name. I'll allow. but 1t amt patch
IN to my maiden one which was Damn.
married Henry Dickens to get rid OF that
unchristian name and I've always said
that I'd never marry again except to bet
ter myself.
The very next day Peter came over to
her house with piece Of yellow wrapping
paper which he had written list or
names, one for every letter of the alphabet
'Just cast your eye over that. Martha,
said he, land see If you would like any OF
them names If you had the picking OF a
husband out Of the lot.
IT wouldn't especially lean toward any
Of Them the widow remarked after look
ing over the list quite earnestly. THE fact
Ia I'd already made up my mind that II l
had the choosing of a name for my next
life pardner I'd be mighty well satisfied
with Darlington. You see It's fine sound
ing name and moreover 1t begins with
cd" All my pillow shams and fine sheets
and table spreads that I've made ever since
was young girl are marked with a ID,
so you see it would come awfully handy
not to have to change them.
Six weeks later Peter came across lots
to the garden where the widow was setting
out some tomato plants and handed her
a big document with gold and red seal on
It. He had had his name changed to Peter
Darlington by act Of Congress 1t had
cost him pretty penny. but he knew that
the representative from his district had to
live. so he never grumbed.
WELL said he when she had slowly
read the paper through from beginning to
end. II suppose now you're ready to name
the day when you'll be Mrs. Peter Darling
ton"
Mrs Dickens thoughtfuly emptied the
entire contents Of her sprnkling can on
the tomato plant she had just set out before
she answered.
NO. l amt" she said at last.
Peter climbed over the fence, picked up
the empty sprinkling can, went to the well
and filled it. and set it down beside her.
Why" he asked
Because she answered.
II was afraid 1t was some dreadful scan
dial like that" said Peter, not meaning any
harm, but being naturally sarcastic like.
The widow blazed right up.
Look here, Peter Spisgot Darlington. II
You must know the reason, It's because
you're baldheaded I've tried and tried to
that 1 can't. And I never could marry a
baldheaded man. even II his name was
Darlington
Mrs Dickens" Peter said with the same
narrowing of his eyes that he used in a
horse trade. will you give me the refusal
of you for. say. six months7''
We'll" replied the widow who had her
self traded horse or two without loss,
six months Is long time. but don't mind
doing favor for an old friend. 30 I'll give
next November.
Much obliged Fine weather. amt it?'
Without waiting for an answer to this
last question he was gone.
and then he stalked into the kitchen with
his hat on and little paper package in his
hand
Good mornin'. Mrs. Dickens" he said.
Il Just come over to find out what color
Of hair you liked best"
He opened his little package and spread
out on the kitchen table some twenty
white envelopes, on each one Of which was