Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1904-09-01
THE WIDOW
BY
THcmAs B. r1oNTFoRr


r HE widow was neither pretty no,
particularly attractive, and bach
East. where women were plentiful. she
would have considered herself fortunate
In the possession Of a single lover. Yet
before she had been In Pigeon fiat a
month she had dozen admirers at her
feet, and had received at least half that
many proposals Of marriage. In the
fiat, woman was a rare article, and the
men could not afford to beoyer-exacting
In their tastes regarding female charms.
Among the widows admirers was Blue
Thompson. He was a big, burly chap,
who had made his advent into the camp
with hurrah and a flourish. He was
cot at all ayerse TO having the impress
sion go abroad that he was a bad man
from away back, and when il began TO
be whispered about that he had a record
as slayer Of men he did not trouble
himself to make denial.
1t was not long after Thompson's ar
rival at the fat until he had things pretty
much his own way in the matter OF max
ing love TO the widow His rivals we're
only ordinary everyday citizens, who
valued their lives as something worthy
of preservation, and who, therefore,
were inclined to be more OF less timid
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 proyocation. Moreover, the widow
was rather taken with Thompson's big
ness and holiness, and she showed a
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 fayorite.
After he came, however. there was a
decided change He soon became a ia
yorite. and after a time bets were offered
On him at odds Of five to one, with no
takers
Then. one day, there was a new ar
rival ia the camp. 1t was alittle sparely
built man. who answered to the name
Of Bob George, He had a soft voice. a
smiling face. and mannersso gentle that
they we're almost childlike. He had the
appearance Of harmless inoffensiye
sort of beng. who could be run over and
trampled under foot with impunity In
the fat he was considered too insig-
nlfeant TO merit more than passing
notice.
BEFORE Bob had been In the camp many
DAYS il became apparent TO every one
that he had been smitten by the widow s
charms. and had Joined her galaxy oil
admirers. Like the others, however, ne
eyinced a wholesome regard for Blue
Thompson's claims. and worshipped at
a safe distance. He never presumed TO
geek 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 70
others. was proof positive that be loved
her
poh,s admiration OF the widow was
the source OF much amusement IN the
fat People laughed at his presumption
In daring 10 worship even at a distance
woman who had half the camp at her
80, and who could have Blue Thomp-
SON any day, by simply saying the word.
Many Jokes, regarding his love WerN
cracked AT Bobs expense by the WHY
ones al the fiat. Bob himself, was not
unaware of all these things, but be qui-
etly went his way. keeping his own eouh-
sci and saying nothing.
one night. about month after BOD
arrival al the fiat, there was large
crowd collected down at "Joe's Place
poh was there. and so was Blue Thomp-
son There was a good deal OF betting
goinq on in one way and another and a
800 deal Of drinking, too. Thompson
80 in the thick OF It all, but Bob sat
IN a corner. taking no part in any OF II.
After awhile, some one turned TO Joe
and said: 49,. u.,dow
now" tea
whats the odds on Thompson!
.Tbe same old thing-fve to one-ou'
no takers ..
thompson seems to have sure
c,ncb Guess If it was ten to one there
wouldn't be anybody fool enough 10 90
against him. s,..
THOMPSON. who had been standing
-,tb his back to the speakers, turneo
around and brought his INST down on 'hs
! bar -. .,,,o,, - be
aof course. I've got sure clnch' ne N.
said and to prove that ! know Wna ma,
I'm talking about, I'll tell you what y
a. I've cot s.. 900 that says III marry
~ widow and stand ready to put Il
nm against any mans $500 who says
WI ~ ,,ared around on the crowd, as II
,,vitipg somebody to take him up Il any
nno dared. But everybody was silent
A minute passed, then Bob George aroS'
and walked over to the bar.
q = H. oil 70