The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1907-04-26
Seleft Story.
The Widows MOneV.

WIN an "ii VI nuJSeOiJ oh ih0h DiouLco
countenances, Captain Drake and his mate,
Mr.. Simpson, peered at piece of paper
that lay on the cabin table alongside of a
canvas bag. The document contained the
following words:
June 10, 80.
Being sound in my rigging, but badly
stove as to my hull, and going to pieces, l,
John Funnel, of the brig Ibis, leave to
my friends, Abel Drake, master of the
schooner Patty Clay, and Job Simpson,
mate of the same craft, the sum of $500
in gold, the same to be held in trust by
them for one year. If my wife, Mary
Funnel, mourns my death and does not
marry within that time, the money is to
go to her. IF she does marry within
year, the $500 is to be divided between
the trustees. My wife to know nothing of
the trust.
(Signed.) JOHN FUNNELL.
"Ten months gone! and she's no nearer
marryin' than she was the day after Fun
nell died. complained Captain Drake.
"Good- looking woman, too, and nice
bit of insurance money!" mused the mate.
''What' the matter with the men? I'd
like to know
"It pity were both married. re-
marked the skipper; ''we could fix things
then"
"No good talking about that, snapped
the mate. ''Why don't you take some
likely men up to her house?'
Didn't | take Captain Towles up
there?' asked the skipper.
"Towles!' asked the mate, scornfully.
"Who'd marry him? Now, there's old
Pete Jobson. He's a widower, and all
women take to widowers. Take him up
there
II did hint it to him, but he says he
hasn't done mourning for his wife, said
Captain Drake.
''You take him." insisted the mate.
"Hes ugly, but he's awful takin' with
women, is Pete
"rll take him up this very night" "
assented the skipper, and the money and
document were replaced in the captains
strong box.
When the skipper returned, just before
midnight, the mate asked anxiously how
Peter had acted.
"Never had such time," grumbled
the captain. "Peter and the widow sat
and talked about their dead husband and
wife, and cried like two rainspouts. If it
hadn't been for Mrs. Quigley, I'd have
foundered, sure.
"Whos Mrs. Quigley?' asked Mr..
Simpson.
can aunt of Mrs. Funnelrs,' replied
the skipper, turning in.
"Things are brightening!' cried the
skipper, two days later, as he saw from
the deck of the schooner Mr.. Jobson
vending his way to town. "rll bet he s
goin' to call on the widow. I'll walk up
the street and see.
He returned in half an hour jubilant.
"He had on his long tailed coat, and he
furled his sails as soon as he came to the
widows house, and bore into the door y
81 believe the moneys ours, job"
II told you to take Pete Jobson up, y
said the mate.
"You told me?' gasped the skipper.
''That's good, you swab! Didn't 1 men
ton Peter?''
Regularly, Peter Jobson after work
was over, put on his long tailed coat and
solemnly wended his way to Widow Fun
nell house, while the two trustees hugged
themselves and counted over the money.
Then one morning Peter Jobson, master
stevedore, started in to load the Patty Clay
with -four and general cargo.
81 saw you last night at the Seaman S
Bethel with Widow Funnell and her aunt, p"
said Captain Drake.
eyes," replied Mr.. Jobson, solemnly.
"She's very fine Christian woman.
"She is, indeed, Peter" assented the
captain. "She seems very fond of you. "
Mr.. Jobson shook his head bashfully.
In the gratefulness of their hearts, the
two officers of the Patty Clay took care
that Mr.. Jobson did not suffer with thirst.
In fact, the good liquor seemed to come
out of the old mans eyes as tears as he
spoke of his departed wife.
"Never mind, Peter" said the mate;
81 know a woman who II make Mrs. job
son No. 2.
But Mr.. Jobson only shook his head
and sighed.
Finally the matches of the schooner were
battened down, and Captain Drake was
about to 90 to the Customs House to clear
her.
"Good-bye, captain said Mr.. Jobson,
feelingly. m obleeged to you
"What for p inquired the skipper.
"For takin' me to see Widow Funnel, "
exclaimed the old man. 81 read in the
Good Book that it s not good for man to
be alone.
"Well?" said the skipper, shuddering
with eagerness.
"I'm goin' to marry ag'in''.
"The widow?'' gasped the delighted
skipper.
'Surely; month from yesterday
Captain Drake vaulted over the rail of
the schooner like deer and tumbled into
the cabin.
''It's all right, Job, he painted.
''Peter's goin' to marry the widow a
month from yesterday.
Mr. Simpson smiled broadly.
"We'll divide the money when we get
back" said he; land it Il only take about
forty days to run to Newcastle and back. "
"My money goes into schooner re-
marked the skipper.
ssAnd mine into the bank, said the
mate. 'But we really ought to give the
couple present. ~
'By George ! SO we ought, )" exclaimed
the skipper. "Come with me, and we'll
get something"
Accordingly, the two trustees spent two
pounds for gaudily covered sofa, which
they ordered to be sent to the bride-to-be's
Lo,,,a ,,,.t +xuant1, o;ghf dauS from date of