The Van Buren press., 1904-07-30
THE WIDOW
BY
THOMAS B. MoNTFORT
Copyright, IsO4, by Daily Story Pub. COL

Copyright 1914, by Daily Story Pub. o0.j
THE widow was neither pretty, nor
particularly attractive, and back
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 a 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 be oyer-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 a hurrah and flourish. He was
rot at all ayerse to having the impress
sion 90 abroad that he was bad man
from away back, and when 1t began to
be whispered about that he had record
as a slayer of men he did not trouble
himself to make denial.
Ii 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 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 provocation. Moreover, the widow
was rather taken with Thompson's big
ness and boldness, and she showed d
decided preference for his company. So
the others reluctantly held aloof from
her, giving Thompson a 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 Thompsons arrival
the betting had been at even money,
with nobody able to score as favorite.
After hs came, however, there was
decided change He soon became a ia
vOrite, and after time bets were offered
on him al odds Of FIVE to one, with no
takers
Then, one day, there was a new ar
rival in the camp. 1t was a little, sparely
built man, who answered to the name
Of Bob George. He had a soft voice, a
smiling face, and manners so gentle that
they were almost chilGlike. He had the
appearance Of a harmless, inotensiye
sort of being who could be run over and
tramplod under foot with impunity In
the fiat he was considered too insig-
nidcaut 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 smittcn by the widows
charms. and had joined her galaxy of
admirers. Like the others, however, he
eyinced a wholesome regard for Blue
Thompsons claims, and worshpped 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, ana the way he spoke Of her to
Others. was proof positive that he loved
her
DISCRIMINATION Of the widow was
the source Of much amusement in the
fiat. People laughed at his presumption
I'm daring to worship, even at distance,
O woman who had half the camp at her
feet, and who could have Blue ThomD-
son any day, by simply saying the wcrd,
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-
etly 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 "Joe's Place"
Bob was there, and so was Blue Thomp-
son There was a 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 fit.
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-hut
no takers"
Thompson seems to have sure
clnch. Guess II II was ten 20 one there
wouldn't be anybody fool enough to 80
against him"
Thompson, who had been standing
with his back 10 the speakers, turned
around and brought his hst down on che
bar
'"Of course, I've got sure cInch," he
said, "and to prove that ! know what
I'm talking about III tell you what IN
do, I've got $1,000 that says III marry
the widow, and stand ready to put It
UP against any mans $500 who says
won't"
He garcd around on the crowd az II
inviting somebody TO take him up, ifany
one dared hut everybody was silent.
A minute passed, then Bob George arose
and walked over to the bar,