The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-11-26
The EVENING STORY
Two spooks and a Man.
(By George a. S. Carson. !

~ GcoISe "A. .. CdrS0n.)
The village of Eastonville, contain
ing ing about 700 inhabitants, was some
times referred to as "WfdoWville"
There were seven widows there and
-FOUR OF them had been made such by
one single calamity
Ihere We're those in the town who
sald that each and every one of these
WY would marry again If she had
the chance. and after all this was no
Iioel on them. Why not remarry if
tney could ind good husbands? 1t is
Woman's destiny to marry. It may be
ner destiny to marry two or three
times.
When Silas Watkins sold his farm
and moved into Baskerville he was
the only "catch" in town. He was a
pachelor of thirty-five; he had money:
ne was not bad looking man. The
seven widows. the four old maids and
the two manageable girls in town
began to take notice. Why not? 1t is
the duty of woman to marry to the
pest advantage. AS a farmer, Mr..
Watkins had lived alone. As a viii
lager, he rented a house and took his
bachelor quarters.
1t was the widow Smith who made
the nrst move. Mr.. Watkins estab-
llshed a grocery. She made her pur-
cnases there. She also extended her
congratulations; likewise her invita-
ton to run in any evening and make
himself perfectly at home: also. to sit
IN her church pew of a Sunday until
he had rented one of his own; also, to
look out for other widows and not
suit on hand.
The widow Stevens came next She
had heard of the purchases made by
the widow Smith,, and she bought
twice as much and talked twice as
long. She offered to sew on buttons or
darn socks and fn her
over to make his bed and sweep up.
She realized his lonely condition and
pitied him.
Then, one by one. the other widows
dropped in, and the old maids fol-
lowed after, and the two girls met Mr..
Watkins on the street, and blushed
and giggled. Within month, how
ever, the field was left to the widows
Smith and Stevens. 1t was tacitly
agreed that none of the others stood
a show. For a wonder. they were not
a bit jealous of each other, but con-
tinued to be the best Of friends Their
motto was: MAY the best man VIM"
They even went over, arm in arm, and
sat on the doorsteps with the grocer
in the twilight of a summers even
ing. Together they busted his furni-
ture and made tides and pincushions
for him.
Mr.. Watkins had intended to marry
when the right woman came along
he was pi6dS6Q WIFI Ills TGC0pllOu DIT
Baskerville. He was gratified at the
large and select stock of matrimonial
candidates on hand. The only trouble
lay in the making up of his mind. He
took supper with one widow and then
with the other, and as far as the pub
lie could see he treated both alike.
When things had gone on most
pleasantly for three months both
widows happened to call at the store
at the same time. In his gossip with
them the grocer mentioned that he
had sold his farm because a spook
him to do so. The widows laughed,
but he was very much in earnest.
That's a pointer for me-" said the
widow Smith as she left the store.
ct now see my way clear" said the
widow Stevens as she also left 3 E..5 &c, :.
The cutest kind Of a stock broker
wouldn't have caught on to that spook
business, but two widows did, and the
very next night it was acted on. The
widow Smith had only to climb two
elor's back yard. Then it was a mat
ter of a moment to pose herself be-
fore his open bedroom window She
had a pilloWcaSe drawn over her head
and a sheet pinned around her. When
all was ready she stil1ed her bound
Watkins by his first name. He
bounded out of bed and stuck his head
out of the window and asked who was
there
''silas, I am a spook!" answered a
muff1ed voice.
Eyes, yes!"
And I have come to advise you
again.
Shall I sell my grocery?''
mo; I have come to advise you not
to marry the widow Stevens. She is
not the woman to make You real hap
py. You should marry, but take the
widow Smith,
''Mebbe she won't have me- replied
Silas.
st am spook. know her mind"
''By gum, but I'll do it,
And he would have done so within
hours but for a very sin
gular circumstance. An hour had
passed since the spook faded away
and Silas was wide awake and think
ing, when he got a second CALL and
there was spook No. 2.
"Silas." said a muff1ed voice after a
moment, 81 told you to sell your
farm"
Eyes, you are the one" he replied
"And now have come to tell you
to get married."
Eyes, I'm going to-
"And to warn you not to marry the
widow Smith. She can not make you
as happy as one other. I refer to the
widow Stevens
. But the other spook-''
''Silas, obey me! I come from the
misty shades. I know all. When
was on earth, a breathing, living be-
ing. I was your grandmother. Obey
and all will be Well"
The spook floated away into the
darkness and Silas drew in his head,
dressed himself and sat up TIE re-
mainder of the night If only one
spook had appeared his course would
have been clear; the appearance of
two, and each laying a different COM
mand on him, mixed him up. It
seemed to him that the word of his
spook should be taken
first. but the other had been meant in
kindness as we'll, and he was in a
quandary.
Perhaps two widows waited for a |
call that evening, but they received
none. Silas retired early, thinking
that perhaps a third spook might APP
pear and suggest a way out of the