Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1908-08-13

L
stray bull that he encountered in the
road ran him up wild cherry tree,
and in some of the adventures he lost
a jackknife that used to belong to his
grandfather. He was therefore more
or lees perturbed when he knocked al
the kitchen door and then entered tc
find the widow asleep in the room be-
yond. He mad turned to retreat when
she awoke and uttered scream at the
sight of him. She had been dreaming
of that escaped iunanc. She had
dreamed that he had his finger on her
throat and was choking her to death,
and here he was before her Inc dea-
con muttered MS name and an apolo, y,
and the widow sat up. She had read
and heard good deal about lunatics
and how they should be treated. This
one didn't look very fierce, but she
must be careful not to arouse him.
She must be soft and gentle and dis
sembling. Therefore as soon as she
could catch her breath she smilinglY
asked the deacon if ne wouldn sit
down. He replied that he would and
did. He didn't ask for the Greggs.
Not seeing them about, he inferred
that they had gone to town.
The widow had been told always to
look mad dog or lunatic in the eye.
AS she kept her eyes on the deacon she
read cunning, craft and cruelty in his
face, and she realized that her life was
at stake. 1t was Father embarrassing
for the caller, but he talked about In.
dians, Canadian thistles, potato bugs
and the weather and grew more at
ease as the minutes slipped away. Or
her part the widow tried to be as en-
tertaining, but it was hard work. The
fear was constantly present that the
lunstic would suddenly break out and
rend her limb by limb. She was
hysterical, but she didn't cease to
smile. When the deacon finally got
around to tell her of his trials and mis-
fortunes he found sympathetic listen.
er. She had read that she must al
ways pretend to sympathize with the
insane, and she made the effort of her
life. By and by her caller went fur
ther. He said that when his dear com.
panion died he made up his miud never
to marry again, but it was possible
that he would change his mind if he
met the right party. 1t was lonesome
living all alone and having no one to
pet. 1t was 30 lonesome that some
times he went out and sought the com.
The widow had been told that sbe
must seem to agree with lunatic, and
she heaved a sigh and replied to the
deacon by saying that when she had
laid her Joseph meath the weeping
willow she thought the light had gone
out forever. Time had assuaged her
grief and caused her to change her
mind. She had come to feel that per.
haps it was even her duty to marry
again. She could cook, wash, bake,
iron, make soft soap and all kinds of
preserves, and for three years running
her crazy quilts and rag carpets had
taken first premium at the county fair.
The deacon then limited that by hard
work and industry he had accumulat-
ed about $4,000 worth of property.
The widow saw his object and stated
that her Joseph left her about that
amount and she had increased it some.
what. AS a matter of fact, she lied
about it, but she had read that one
must always lie to lunatics, and she
didn't propose to provoke that one be.
fore her.
Deacon Watkins became interested.
He admired. He would come again.
II his lost relict was to be replaced
Indiana should have fair chance in
the race. he liked that smile. he
liked that chatter. he liked a woman
that could hustle with the house work
and knew by instinct when a boiled
dinner was ready to put on the table.
He got up to go and the widow felt
that her life was saved. He fingered
with his hand on the back Of his chair,