Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1910-06-22
WINNING
A WIDOW
By NJ QUAD
Copyright. 1910. by Associated Lit
erary Press.

| In and around what Is called the
Beecher settlement, which was a set
| Element OF farmers, there were three
widowers aud seven young men who
were looking for wives. At the same
time there was scarcity Of marriage
able girls, and the only widow for FIVE
miles around was the Widow Harkins.
who had lately bought farm and
moved into the community.
The Widow Harkins was thirty-five
She was good looking and smart. She
had captivating way, and she had
only got settled down when the wild
overs and the young men began to
prick up their ears. 1t was common
sense to figure that the widow would
marry again IL the right man came
along.
One Of the 1rst Beechers to call was
Lyman. He was one of the widowers.
For two years he had had his eye out
for a widow with well stocked farm
He was received In a very friendly
spirit. The widow looked neat and
trim, and she smiled and laughed and
chatted in a way that made his heart
60 tunking. She referred to her lone
~ situation and then referred to the
fact that her hired man was behind
with his work. There was blowing to
be done, but she was afraid he would
not get to 1t until too late for corn
planting.
Lyman Beecher had never done any
thing for anybody without pay, but on
this occasion, much to his surprise, he
found himself volunteering to do some
blowing as a neighborly act. He
brought over his teams and prepared
ten acres for corn. He worked SO
hard and the widow was SO thankful
that be was encouraged to state his
case. He had farm, four children,
eleven hogs, FIVE cows. forty sheep and
several other things. and he would Of
fer his heart and hand to the woman
before him. He wasn't thrown over
the fence. but was told that he must
wait year for his answer. He didn't
like 1t at all, but the blowing had been
done, and he had to grin and bear 1t.
Next came Goodheart Beecher. wild
over and cousin Of Lyman. He
creased his boots and made an even
Ing call. A gallon Of hard cider and
pan Of fried cakes were placed before
him. and the widow got his heart fiut-
tering. There were times when she
was, oh, SO sad and lonely, and this
was one Of the times. That cornfield
was ready for planting, but she was
afraid the hired man could not get
around to it. Goodheart Beecher had
work enough on his own farm, but
there was a sad mouthed little widow
looking him straight in the eyes. and
he almost begged that she would per-
NIT him to plant that field. She final
ly consented. She also consented that
he should buy the seed out Of his own
pocket When the work was finished
he went up TO the house and asked the
woman to be his'n. and she put him
on as she had the other. His back
ached as he walked home. but what
could he do about it?
The third man was Moses Beecher
In the same way she induced him to
plant five acres Of potatoes for her.
Then he proposed and was put OF for
q year.
The young men had been consider
ately waiting for the widowers to try
their luck. and now it was their turn.
Young Christian Beecher came for
ward. He was twenty-three years old.
weeded her corn for her. proposed and
waited year.
The fifth was young John Beecher
He was called John the Baptist Beech
er. He calmly suggested that she
hire a man who could hustle. He
called again and again, but he did no
work He advocated kicking the hired
man, but did not offer TO exert himself
Things were thus. and the widow
was looking around for No. 6. when
one day she started for the cross
roads store. mile away She cut
across lots to shorten the distance, and
an old bull took after her and drove
her up ladder leaning against hay
stack. He hooked the ladder down.
but she had gained the crest of the
stack. She was roosting there. and
the bull was galloping about and max
| ing the dirt fly. when John the Bap-
fist Beecher came along in his bug
| gy. The stack was within talking dis
lance Of the road. and the young man
halted to ask what was the matter.
although the question was superfiuous.
| OF course the widow wanted the bull
driven away and to come down.
Look here. widow" replied the
/ young man as he got out of his buggy
/, and found comfortable seat on the
fence. Il am head over heels in love
with you"
Yes. but shoe the bull away"
And I'll make you good husband"
YES but want to get down."
"And I'll run that farm bang up. ]
wouldn't hoe the taters, but believe
you love me bit"
.Oh. John, Johnv'
And now you are either going to
/ marry me- or no left right nm there I