The Democratic advocate., 1909-05-28


I'm telling you that this Is the last
chance for. me- II lose the Widdel
/ Grimes I'm a gone coon. The turtle
doves win never COO for me again"
There was more talk, and the Widow
Spooner finally gave doubtful and
reluctant consent She warned Sam,
however. thgt 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.
and In an hour or so the old white
horse and democrat wagon came trot-
ting back. The Widow Grimes stood
in the open door. They saw that she
did. and Sam chucEled and cackled
and whispered to his companion:
"Its a world beater, Mary. Lean on
me as IL you loved me half TO deathF'
Mary leaned, and two minutes later,
as they were 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. dasn't look
at her, but know that her face is as
red as beet. The demon has sudden
ly appeared, and she's saying to her
self that she'll kill any womanathat
takes me away from her. Lord, Mary,
but / shall be grateful to you all the
rest of my daysl"
They drove up the road two miles
and then turned about to repeat the
performance. This time the Widow
Grimes was halfway down to thegate.
She pretended to be pulling some
weeds out Of the bed Of pinkE, bat Il
was only pretense. She saw tho 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 ut
her own gate. 'T'm owing you debt
/ can never. never pay. You've helped
me through like the good woman you
are. As drive along back tho Wild
der Grimes WIN \ at the Eato. 30
blow me up. and aIar thu blowing Il
viii be the preacher and a marriage.
Nobody ever had such plan before.
1t has worked without skipping cog.
Don't you buy no taters this fall. III
see TO II that you have ten busbels 10
start the winter on--yes. ten bushels
OF taters and a crock OF butter"
"And when shall I know how you
came outT' she asked.
ooh. you'll hear It talked OF In two
or three days, and you'Il hear that VIZ
are on on our wedding tour. Lord.
Mary. hasn't II worked beautifully
beau-h-fullyF'
Two hours later, as tho Widow
spooner was eating her supper. she
heard the rattle Of that democrat wag-
on again and another "whoag" and
went TO the door Just as Sam Bottford
reached the veranda and sat down on
the steps.
'For mercy's sake. but what has
happenedY' she exclaimed.
There won't be any weddingf' re-
piled a hollow voice.
"Nol"
"Nor amy bridal tourF'
"Nor'
Nor any nothingl''
But why. Sam, whyT'
Because the Widder Grimes and
Abe johnson were married three days
ago. She was down to the gate 20 tell
me ms drove back and TO hope that
my health was the same as usual"
The Widow spooner turned her
head to hide a smile.
II knew 81 all along. SAM" said she.
''but / thought you wouldn't ever be
satisfied until you had tried every way
you knew"
Samuel looked at her. Slowly n
smile crept over his face.
10 tell you the truth" eaid he. Il
nearly hoIlered for Joy. Mhry." he
said sharply, MARY, do ypu want me
to remain an old bacheior1'
And after a little while the widow
Spooner whispered NO"