The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-01-12
TIE EVENING STORY
when Sister Hannah Came.
IBy c. B. Lewis.J

by c. B. Lewis.I
Miss Dorothy Spencer, spinster and
30 years old, lived in the outskirts of
the village of Grafton. She kept a ser
want and a COW, had a cat and lived in
a comfortable way on her income. She
was neither homely nor good-looldng.
She had a widowed sister living in Iowa,
and one day that sister arrived on a
visit. Her name was Hannah, and, like
other widows, she was full of business.
There were things she wanted to know
about almost before she had taken her
bonnet off, and there was one thing IN
particular that she lost no time in bring
ing forward.
Now them she sair, as she got
seated in the big rocking chair, 7 want
TO know why you haven't married. It's
nothing less than a burning shame that
you have lived to your age without
catching a husband
II haven't been asked was the
embarrassed reply of the sister.
But why not?"
II don't know
Then Wen find out. Haven't you
kept company with anyone?'
Yes
For how long?'
please let's not talk about it, sister.
Were the Perkins family well when you
left home2''
Never you mind the Perkins family,
but pay attention to this other matter
What's the name of the man you've
been keeping company with2,
It's Henry Goodheart. 1 don't know
whether you'd call it keeping company
or not. He comes Sunday and Wednes-
day evenings and talks for awhile"
Twice a week. Ell? And how long
has he kept this up?'
MINNIE years"
Dorothy Spencer" exclaimed sister
Hannah, as she almost sprang out Of
her chair. do you mean to tell me
that a man has been dawdling around
here for nine years and never said
word about marriage?"
But he's one of the most bashful men
you ever saw protested Dorothy. land
IL"
You are going to say you couldn't
ask him to marry you. OF course you
couldn't, but you could have brought
him to time years ago"
Hes a very nice man, and every
body thinks so. guess he thinks 4
don't want to get married to anyone"
What business has he to think
that? Of course you want to get mar
ried. Every woman does. All widows
and single women are just dying to be
asked Nine long years, and he has
not asked for your handI thought
there was a niger in the fence some
where and have come on to see about
it. l have been married three times
in eighteen years, and I'm expecting
the fourth man to come along any day.
QlQn Z keep company VIII any OA itS
husbands over six months. After that
time had passed just wanted to know
waht they were hanging around for.
Dorothy, something has got to be done
That Goodheart, or Goodliver, or
whatever his name is, has got to come
to time
please, sister Hannah. If you
should go to mixing in I'd be so
shamed that I'd feel like running
ssyr,, I.e,,,a - u, mr., ana don't worry
I'm older than you are. I've had three
husbands and know how I got EN-.
They were all bashful men. I shan't
do anything to shame you.
It was a conspiracy of one Neither
Dorothy nor Mr.. GOodheart was taken
into the widows confidence. She had
been in the house three days when
Sunday evening came and he showed
up on his bi-weelxly tour. The widow
liked him. He was slow, but sturdy
and honest He didn't look nor talk
love. He talked more of sunflowers
and onions than he did of love.
Dorothy was i'll at ease, as she did not
know what was coming, and her heart
beat like a trip-hammer as the widow
finally said:
s'Mr. Goodheart, I think I shall take
DOrthy back to Iowa with me when 1
co.
He gave a start of alarm and the
red came to his face. He made no
reply, however, and soon took his de-
How could your exclaimed
Dorothy with a glance of reproach as
the gate was heard to latch behind the
Il wanted to jar him. replied the
widow He'll be over here within a
day or two and ask you to make him
but it will look as if we were drag
ging him in by the hair of the head
Never you mind the looks. The
great object is to get married
Mr. Goodheart didn't show up till
his usual Wednesday evening, how
ever About the time he was expected
the widow was at the gate to meet
him. When they had saluted other
she said:
Mr.. Goodheart. I want to ask you
a question in confidence"
Eyes o.
It understand that sewing ma
chine agent who comes through these
parts is very much smitten on Dorothy
Is his occupation an honorable one
Do you think him the man to love
and care for her? AS her elder sister
1 feel like a guardian towards her
Mr.. Goodheart gave a start and his
hand on the gate trembled. He had
to wait a minute before he could trust
his voice, and then he answered that
he didn't go much on sewing machine
agents. The widow sighed and said it
was cold world and the two went
into the house together. Her object
had been to arouse the spark OF Jeal-
Ousy, but after the man had stayed
his usual hour and departed she could
not tell whether it was a success or
not He had talked about as usual.
did you say anything to him out at
the gate?" asked Dorothy.
None o. your business whether I
did or not. He's the woodenest man in
four states, but I'll bring him to the
mark. He has either got to show his
hand or dust along and make room for
somebody else. I imagine he'll be
around tomorrow night
IT'S awful sister-positively awful"
said Dorothy as the tears filed her eyes.
Mr.. Goodheart did not make his ap-
pearance at the time expected He was
in no hurry to get up a feeling of
jealousy. The widow was provoked. On
Sunday evening she met him quarter
of a mile down the road and gave him
more of her confidence. She eonhded to