Evening journal., 1909-03-06
A ShySter and a Widow.
rcopyriEht, 1908. by T. c. Mcclure


out for only a month when the widow
walked in on him to have him draw
up a legal paper. They recognized
each other as kindred spirits at the
first glance. The lawyer said to him
self that his caller was the homeliest
woman on the continent, but she might
be able to assist him, and the widow
said he was the trickiest looking law
yer she ever met, but they might be
able to do business together. At that
first meeting they simply sized each
other up. A few days later the shyster
appeared at her farm, and before he
left they had gone into partnership.
AS a next move the following adver-
tisement was inserted in the village
paper:
For sale.-The widow Henderson will
sell cheap for cash a strong, healthy
working horse at about half it's value.
Apply on the premises. Widowers given
the preference.
There were at least ten widowers in
that end Of the county, and each and
every one of them had humiliated the
widow by turning his back on her
without this invitation not a man Of
the ten would have dared to face her
again. Now they proceeded to call. as
did several old bachelors and married
men. They found a horse, and he was
a strong and healthy horse, but the
half price even proved to be a greater
sum than they wanted to pay. In 9th
er words, the widow valued a $3.50
horse at $400. OF course each one
spent an hour in talking. This took
place in the house instead of the barn,
and no third person was present.
For four weeks that half priced
horse was on sale, with no takers
During that time thirty men had called
and had interviews. Nothing had been
heard from Leonidas Johnson, but he
was saving wood just the same.
When all was ready he began sending
out letters requesting their recipients
to call at his office on important busi-
ness. Farmer Jackson was the first
one to appear. He was a widower,
and once upon a time he had descend
ed from his wagon at the widows
door and entered the house with the
intention of telling her how lonely his
hearthstone was and of asking her to
come along and brighten it up. AS he
stood face to face with the woman,
however. language failed him. He
couldn't even ask her If she had raised
any potatoes to sell She hurled words
and missiles after him as he went
away, but he didn't kick. He was
only too glad TO come away with his
life. He was one of those who had
returned TO look at the horse, and
when the widow had invited him into
the house to drink a glass OF cider and
talk he had gone willingly and hum
bly,.
Mr.. Jackson was rather anxious to
ascertain what important business the
lawyer had with him, and he was not
left long IN doubt He was met with
q smile and a handshake and then
courteously addressed with:
MY dear man. l simply wanted to
ask you a question. Does your mar
riage with the widow Henderson come
of next week, as slated? 1 am her
attorney, you know, and want to put
certain things in order"
my marriage with whoY' shouted
the farmer.
"With the widow Henderson"
t;'Why. wouldn't marry that woman
II she was the last female on earth
What are you talking aboutT"
"You called on her on the 7th of last
month, l believer queried the lawyer
as be consulted list.
'Yes, but that was about a horse"
Exactly. And you entered the housS
and had a long talk with her. You said
you were a lone widower. You said
that there must be some woman in this
world that would be glad to bring sun
shine into your life, and you looked
right at the widow when you said it."
Never! l never said no tarnashuI
thingl All l said was that she asked
too much for the horse. and mebbe We
said something about the weather ant
the crops"
"Sorry, Mr.. Jackson, that you tak'
this view of II. The widow under
stands that the marriage is to tak'
place next Wednesday. 1t viii be d
great disappointment to her. and 0.
course her only recourse is the law.
shall have TO serve the papers on yol
IN a breach Of promise case, with dam
ages laid at S25,00O."
but / never asked her to MARI!
mer'
NO? Well, we will have TO Prov
that you are very absentmindeS
man and are also given to sudden fit
of emotion"
Farmer Jackson went away swear
ing that he'G fight the case to the bit
ter end, but in three days time be wa
back and Offering $3.50 70 settle, whicl
offer was accepted. His case was onl,
one out Of nineteen. Every widowe
and old bachelor for ten miles aroun'
was brought into It, and not one stoo'
a suit Some paid as high as $500 to sci
tie. and some got off with $50. Whel
the pot had been raked In the widow
leaned forward and said to the shysteI
With a CLINT in her eye:
Now, then, you either marry me, &C
cording to promise. or I'll sue you an
attach this money!
"But my fee for what have don
Just equals the amount here. and 20
won't get a dollar Of it," he replied.
Then they looked at each other an