The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-05-07
The EVENING STORY
A Bachelors Last Chance
(By Arabella Jason,

sat Oh the Verandar4 of
ner house in the village of Parkvi,ie
Win some sewing on her lap. when
tnere was a rattle of wheels in the
Ioao, Whoa!" from a man driving
tuoise wagon, and she looked up
~ eaten her breath and exclafrn.
Now. then, If that amt sam Rott-
,oro' whom I haven't seen for the
IaSt SIX years. then it must be his
twin Drotner, though know he never
1t was Sam. He hitched his horse
and entered the gate, and thew were
soon shaking hands and asking about
sacH otner's health. A chair was
Drought out for him. and after some
general talk, the widow said:
sam, you are looking worried and
troubled, and I'm sorry to see it. Is
tnere anything on your mind that you
want TO consult me about?"
:. mere Is. Mary" he replied. THAT
Is the reason why have come over
I've been worried for a good smell.
ana hadnt anybody to go for adj
vice. All at once, the other night,
l happened to think of you, and I saws
10 myself, says I: why not go over
and see Mary Spooner about tip and
that's why I'm here
nope you are not going to lose
your farm on mortgage
NO, nothing of the kind, Mary,
I've got to be fifty-five years old,
esAAA We bCCu liNtHS alone all these
years. I'm the Oldest old bachelor in
the county. Ten years ago it kinder
seemed for a while as If you and me
was going to make match of it, but
it fell through. The deacon came
along, and you preferred him to me-
amt kicking about it. He was a
good man. the deacon was, and I was
sorry when I heard that you was left
wilder. He's been dead two years
or more. but don't think I've come
a ~ tr1rp
shacklety and baldheaded. and 1 know
1t would be no use to begin talking
about turtle doves to you.'
mo, Sam, 1t wouldn't was the
quiet reply as the widow breathed a
sigh Of relief.
''In fact. Mary, I'm sorter bound to
| another woman-another wilder, and
I'm not the man to be cavorting
around after two wilder women at
once. She's woman named Grimes,
living about three miles this side of
| my farm. She owns what they call
the Plum Tree farm
Eyes, know her by sight. SO you've
fallen in love with her?''
"Y-e-s my hearts been a-throbbing
for her for the last six months. She
hain't no great shakes Is far as looks
go, and wish her hair wasn't so red,
but she's got a nice farm there.
| Mary-a mighty nice farm, and she
can cook the best boiled dinner
y
agree on the Bible-on the best way
to smoke hanson having wire
screens to the winders in summer
on everything but one, and that is
what is bothering me and why I've
come over to see you"
And what's that. Sam?" asked the
widow.
st popped the question two months
ago, but there's another Teller did the
same thing. He's Abe Johnson, a
i IT,, I11, o,,I m
better looking, and the wilder is
hanging fire as to whether it is best
former to marry, an old bach or an
old widower. She says she's got to
take time to think it over"
"And you want to hurry her up?"
That's just it. Mary. You are un-
Outstanding the situation right off.
Yes, / want to hurry her up, and I
want the decision to be in my favor.
You are a woman and a wilder. You
ought to know what another woman
and wilder would do under certain
circumstances"
Perhaps" was the doubtful reply.
What are the certain circum-
stances?''
Jealousy, Mary-jealousy. I've
had it all planned out for a week past,
and I believe that if you will help me
can win out as easy as grease. l
take 1t that Abe and me stand about
equal in the Wilder Grimes's affec-
llOnS II ike DdldnCl1R d SUCK OH
the top rail of fence. Abe can drive
oxen and not swear. and in case the
preacher amt there he can take the
lead at funeral or prayer meeting.
I can drive hog out of the garden
without yelling to be heard a mile
away. and have made two speeches
on Fourth of July. It's about an even
thing between US. The wilder is ball
ancing. She may balance for year
If something hain't done. Something
e.. T.
appeal to her jealousy. I'm going to
make her think she's lost me for
ever" i
But just howe"
That's where you come in. Mary
You'll set a day and I'll drive over
here and get you. I'll drive you past
the farm and back. She'll surely see
US. She'll see US sorter cuddled up to
each other and talking confidentially
Right in front of her house she'll see
my arm stealing around your waist.
and Wen both be looking as happy as
all outdoors. The demon of jealousy.
as they call it, will bubble up in her
heart at once, and she'll feel that she
loves me only and must have me or
die. When I pass for the third time.
AFTER leaving you home, she'll be down
70 the gate to stop me and say: Sam
Bottford, you hump yourself and
bring a preacher here and marry me
or I'll show you what desperate
woman can do!' She'll say that,
Mary, and within two hours she'll be
mine. Come now, wouldn't you act
jest like that under the circum-
stances?"
Il hardly think so.' replied the
woman after a moments thought
But you hain't red-headed you
see, and that makes a heap of differ
ence. Mebbe you couldn't be made
Jealous, but red-headed women and
jealousy go together. Lord, but when
she Sfn11inD al
waist she'll grow a foot taller in a
miniti''
''But 1 couldn't allow that Sam
'Oh, yes you could, Mary. YOU'LL
allow it for old times sake. Your
conscience has always troubled YOU
for the WAY You throrred me douzr