Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1906-06-08
THE BENEVOLENT WIDOW.
Being a Story That People Smiled at
in 1850,
FROM an Old Scrap Book.

W
1 FROM an Old Scrap Book
There was a very benevolent widow
living in Plymouth, in respectable cir
cumstances, who frequently went to
the theater. and was kind enough to
inquire into the private situations OF
various members of the company,
Among others, she asked about Prig
more, and was told that he had but a
small salary, and made a very poor
appearance. Hearing this she remem
: bered that she had a pair OF her late
! husbands in~dispensables in the house
which she resolved to offer him.. A
servant was accordingly dispatched to
the object of her charity, who, meeting
n OF the actors, and partly disclosing
her business, he went in search OF
Prigmore, and finding him, exclaimed:
"Prigmore, my boy, here's a rich widow
in the town has fallen in love with
you, n wants to see you"
Prigmore, not suspecting his roguery,
was led TO the servant, in a state OF
bewildered rapture, n by the latter
was informed that the widow would
be glad to see him any morning 1t was
convenient. He appointed the follow
ing, n went home to his lodging 10
indulge in a day dream OF golden in
dependence. His friend, in the mean
time, whispered the truth through the
green ROOM, where there We're two or
three others wicked enough to join in
the conspiracy, by walking to Prig-
more'S house TO tende their congratu-
lations.
Prigmore, as will be supposed, passed
a SleepleSS night and spent an extra
hour at his toilet the next morning in
adjoining himself with a clean chin and
neckcloth. He then sailed forth, and,
on reaching the widows, vas shown
into her parlor, where, casting his eyes
around on the substantial suftlciency
of its furniture, he began to felicitate
himself on the aspect of his future
home. The lady at length appeared.
She was upon the verge of 40--a very
fashionable age at that time, which
resting upon the shoulders Of a very
comely looking woman, seemed to be
in character with the very comfortable
dwelling. Prigmore's satisfaction and
her benevolence operated equally in
producing some confusion. At length
a conversation commenced. She ac-
quainted him that she had heard his
situation was not so agreeable as he
could wish-that his income was a
confined one; she was, therefore, de-
sirous TO do him all the service that
lay in her power. Prigmorc, consid-
ering this an express declaration of
her affection, was about to throw him
self at her feet, when she suddenly
summoned the servant and exclaimed:
Rachel, bring the breeches!"
These wore astounded him, and he
stared in her face like a block Of mar
BILE; the widow, as suspicionless as
himself Of the hoax, could not interpret
his wonder: but on receiving the habil-
iments folded them carefully up, and
remarking that they were as good as
new Cher husband having caught his
fatal cold in them the first time he put
them on), begged Prigmore's accept
.ance Of the same.
And was it for this you wanted me,
madam" exclaimed Prigmore, rising
from his chair, his one and counte-
nance ~bespeaking a mixture of surprise
and disappointment.
Yes, sir"
He put on his hat and walked to the
door in silent indignation. The good
woman, as much astonished as him
self, followed him and said:
Wont you take the breeches, sir?"
mo, madam" he replied, pausing at
the loo to make some bitter remark;
wear them YOURSELF"
. For the remainder of the season his
life was far from being enviable.