Smyrna times., 1909-05-19

~ ASPAANO NhC
woman after a moments thought.
But you hain't red headed, you see.
and that makes a heap of difference.
Mebbe you couldn't be made Jealous.
but red headed women and jealousy go
together. Lord, but when she sees my
arm stealing around your waist she'll
grow foot taller in a minitv
But | couldn't allow that, Sam"
"Oh. yes, you could. Mary. You'll al
low it for old times sake. Your con-
science has always troubled you for
the way you throwed me down. and
I'm telling you that this is the last
chance for me. If l lose the Widder
Grimes I'm gone coon. The turtle
doves will never coo for me again"
There was more talk. and the Widow
Spooner finally gave a doubtfuS and
reluctant consent. She warned Sam,
however. that he was taking chances
and must put up with consequences.
A day and hour were named for him
to drive over again. and he went home
with smile on his face for the first
time in weeks. When the day came
for him to head for Parkville again he
drove at a slow pace past the Plum
Tree farm.
The Widow Grimes was out among
the cabbageS killing slugs. She saw
him and waved her hand, but he look
ed straight ahead and never stopped.
This was to make her wonder what
was up. The other widow was ready,
| in, ~
horse and democrat wagon came trot-
ting back. The Widow Grimes stood
in the open door. They saw that she
did. and S"m chuckled and cackled
and whispered to his companion:
"It's a world beater. Mary. Lean on
me as if you loved me half to deathp'
Mary leaned. and two minutes later.
as they We're square in front of the
house. he said:
NOW my arm goes around your
waist The Widder Grimes sees it.
Her heels are lifting up. l dasn't look
at her. but | know that her face is as
red as a beet The demon has sudden
ly appeared. and she's saying to her
self that she'll kill any woman that
takes me away from her. Lord, Mary,
but l shall be grateful to you all the
rest of my days!"
They drove up the road two miles
and then turned about to repeat the
performance. This time the Widow
Grimes was halfway down to the gate.
She pretended to be pulling some
weeds out of the bed of pinks, but it
was only pretense. She saw the Widow
Spooner lean; she saw an arm go
around her waist; she almost heard
whispers of love as the old wagon
creaked along.
MARY Spooner." said Sam Bottford
as he helped her out of the wagon at
her own gate. I'm owing you a debt
1 can never. never pay. You've helped
me through like the good woman you
are. AS | drive along back the Wild
der Grimes will be at the gate to
blow me up. and after the blowing it
will be the preacher and Il marriage.
Nobody ever had such a plan before.
1t has worked without skipping a cog.
Don't you buy no taters this fall. III
see to It that you have ten bushels to
start the winter on-yes, ten bushels
of taters and a crock of butter"
"And when shall know how you
came out?" she asked.
"Oh. you'll hear it talked of in two
or three days, and you'll hear that we
are off on our wedding tour. Lord,
Mary. hasn't 1t worked beautifully
beau-ti-ful-lyv'
Two hours later, as the Widow
Spooner was eating her supper, she
! heard the rattle Of that democrat wag
on again and another "Whoap' and
went to the door just as Sam Bottford
reached the veranda and sat down or
; the steps.
"For mercy's sake. but what has
happened?" she exclaimed.
"There won't be any wedding!' re
, piled a hollow voice.
"Nor'
"Nor any bridal tOur"'
: "Nor'
"Nor any nothing"
"But why. Sam. why"
Because the Widder Grimes ani
Abe johnson were married three days
ago! She was down to the gate to tel
me as drove back and to hope tha
), my health was the same as usual"
, The Widow Spooner turned he
). head to hide a smile.
81 knew it all along. SAM" said she
''but 1 thought you wouldn't ever b.
: satisfied until you had tried every wa!
: you knew"
p Samuel looked at her. Slowly
= smile crept over his face.
u 'oro tell you the truth" said he Sc
: nearly hollered for joy. Mary" b
said sharply. MARY, do you want m
!, to remain an old bachelorY'
= And after little while the Widov
:. Spooner whispered mo"
2" Lived I5z Years.