The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1904-07-28
THE WIDOW
THOMAS q. MoNTFORT
Copyright, 1904, by Daily Story Pub. Col


Copyright, 1904, BY Daily Story Pub. Co.,
T HE widow was neither pretty, nor
particularly attractive, and back
East, where women were plentiful, she
would have considered herself fortunate
In the possession of single lover. Yet,
before she had been in Pigeon fat a
month she had a dozen admirers at her
feet, and had received at least half that
many proposals of marriage. In the
nat, woman was a rare article, and the
men could not afford to be over-exacting
in their tastes regarding female charms
Among the widows admirers was Blue
Thompson. He was big, burly chap,
who had made his advent into the camp
with hurrah and flourish. He was
Aot at all averse to having the impress
sion go abroad that he was bad man
from away back, and when it began to
be whispered about that he had record
as a slayer of men he did not trouble
himself to make denial.
1t was not long after Thompson's ar
rival at the fiat until he had things pretty
much his own way in the matter OF MAX
ing love to the widow. His rivals were
only ordinary everyday citizens, who
valued their lives as something worthy
of preservation, and who, therefore,
were inclined to be more or less timld
in the face of danger. None of them pos
sessed a desire to run counter to man
who had acquired the unpleasant habit
of shooting his fellow-men on the slight
est provocation. Moreover, the widow
was rather taken with Thompson's big
ness and boldness, and she showed h
decided preference for his company. So
the others reluctantly held aloof from
her, giving Thompson clear field.
In the saloons and gambling halls at
the fiat there had, from the first, been
much betting on the result Of the free
for-all contest for the widows hand.
Up to the time of Thompson's arrival
the betting had been at even money,
with nobody able to score as favorite.
After he came, however, there was q
decided change. He soon became a IA
vorite, and after time bets were offered
on him at odds Of five to one, with no
takers.
Then, one day, there was new ar
rival in the camp. 1t was little, sparely
built man, who answered to the name
of Bob George. He had soft voice, a
smiling face, and manners so gentle that
they were almost childlike. He had the
appearance of a harmless, inoffensive
sort of being, who could be run over and
trampled under foot with impunity. In
the fiat he was considered too insig-
nificant to merit more than a passing
notice.
Before Bob had been in the camp many
days it became apparent to every one
that he had been smitten by the widows
charms, and had joined her galaxy of
admirers. Like the others, however, he
evinced a wholesome regard for Blue
Thompson's claims, and worshipped at
a safe distance. He never presumed to
seek her society, and if he ever addressed
her at all, it was in the most distant
manner. But the way his eyes followed
her, and the way he spoke of her to
others, was proof positive that he loved
her.
Bob's admiration of the widow was
the source of much amusement in the
fiat. People laughed at his presumption
in daring to worship, even at distance,
q woman who had half the camp at her
feet, and who could have Blue Thomp-
son any day, by simply saying the word.
Many jokes, regarding his love, were
cracked at Bob's expense by the witty
ones at the fiat. Bob, himself, was not
unaware of all these things, but he qui-
city went his way, keeping his own coun-
sci, and saying nothing.
One night, about month after Bob's
arrival at the fiat, there was a large
crowd collected down at "Joes Place"
Bob was there, and so was Blue Thomp-
son. There was good deal of betting
going on, in one way and another, and a
good deal of drinking, too. Thompson
was in the thick Of it all, but Bob sat
in a corner, taking no part in any of it.
After awhile, some one turned to Joe
and said:
How is the betting on the widow,
now?"
Nothing doing" Joe replied.
whats the odds on Thompson"
"The same old thing-five to one-but
no takers"
Thompson seems to have a sure
cinch Guess If it was ten to one there
wouldn't be anybody fool enough to go
against him"
Thompson, who had been standing
with his back to the speakers, turned
around and brought his fist down on the
bar.
"Of course, I've got sure cinch," he
said, and to prove that know what
I'm talking about, I'll tell you what I'll
do. I've got $4,000 that says I'll marry
the widow, and stand ready to put it
up against any mans $500 who says l
won't"
He glared around on the crowd, as If
inviting somebody to take him up, If any
one dared. But everybody was silent.
A minute passed, then Bob George arose
and walked over to the bar.
That's pretty big odds you're offer
ing" he said to Thompson, "and it
seems like somebody ought to take your
bet"
why don't you take it, then?"
Thompson asked, and a laugh went
around the room.
me? Oh, l never gamble" Bob re-
piled, in his soft, gentle voice. Still, it
seems like a shame to let bet like that
go by"
Then, you'd better take it. Nobody
else seems to want it."
Bob was silent and thoughtful for
minute, then he said, quietly:
well, maybe I'd better. happen to
have $500. Put up your money"
While the bet was being arranged
some of the snectators stood about max