The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1909-02-12
A ShySter and a Widow.


yer. The widow Henderson was the
homeliest widow I'm the county and
ready to make money by hook or by
crook. BY crook was the easier.
Mr.. Johnson had had his shingle
out for only 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 triclliest looking law
yer she ever met, but they might be
able TO do business together. AZ 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 next move the following adver-
tisement was inserted In the village
paper:
For sale.-The widow Henderson will
working horse at about half its 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 horse, and he was
a strong and healthy horse, but the
half price even proved to be greater
sum than they wanted to pay. In 9TH
er words, the widow valued a $50
horse Mt $400. or course each one
spent an hour In talking. This took
place In the house instead of the barn,
and no thir. 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.
aud once upon n 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 1t up. AS he
stood face to face with the woman,
however, language failed him. He
couldn't even ask her II 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 glass of cider and
talk he bad 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
a smile and n handshake and then
courteously addressed with:
MY dear man. ! simply wanted 10
ask you a question. Does your mar.
riage with the widow Henderson come
Off next week, as slated? ! am her
attorney, you know, and want to put
certain things In order"
"My marriage with whoT shouted
tho farmer,
"Wlth the widow Henderson"
"Why, | wouldn't marry that woman
II she was the last female on earth!
What are you talking aboutY"
"You called on her on the 7th Of last
month, believer queried the lawyer
as he consulted list
Eyes. but that was about horse"
Exactly. Aud you entered the house
and had long talk with her. You said
You were lone wldower 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 ~
Never! / never said no tarnhshun
thing! All said was that she asked
too much for the horse, and mebbe we
said something about the weather and
the crops"
Sorry, Mfr. Jackson, that you take
this view OF It. The widow under
stands that the marriage 10 to take
place next Wednesday, II viii be a
great disappointment TO her, ana OF
course her on recourse Is the law
shall have to Yc The papers on you
IN breach OF promise case, with dam.
ages laid at 25,OOO.'
But l never asked her to marry
mep
"Nop Wen. we will have TO prove
that You are very ubsentmlhdeI
man aud are also given to sudden fits