Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-09-25
BY NJ QUAD

the best looking widow In the village
Of Brunswick was Mrs. Henry Rob-
erts. She was not only proud OF her,
self. but the town was proud Of her.
She needn't have been widow more
than a year after the death Of her
husband. but four years had passed
and no one had won her love. 1t was
then that Farmer johnson. widower.
bought farm near the village and
settled upon It,
Farmer johnson was q middle aged
and very busy man. He made few &C.
quaintances In the village. Three
months passed. aud he had never
heard of Widow Roberts. Then con-
stable served a summons on him as
defendant In lawsuit for damages.
The widow was the plaintiff.
"She claims that a one horned COW
belonging to me damaged her garden
SO worth. Never owned a one horn
ed COW In my life"
That afternoon he went down to see
the widow about II. He was very gra-
ciously received and his statement lis
tened to and not contradicted. Instead
of the last. the widow said:
mfr. johnson. I've seen you In
church for the last five Sundays-your
pew Is directly ahead of mine-and
you have never looked around onceT
"Mebbe not. Pm no hand to look
around In church"
.Ahem. Mr.. Johnson. this suit must
go oDS'
Mr. Johnson was at church next
Sunday. but be didn't look around.
What time be wasn't thinking of that
lawsuit he was mad. Monday after
noon be received a second visit from
the constable. and there was second
summons This time 1t claimed dam
ages for a black hog carrying the Wild
ow's gate on its hinges.
by smoke. but what's the woman
aty' he shouted as he read. II don't
own no black hog and never did"
Better 20 and see her" was the
advice that was followed the next day.
The widow was smiling and gra-
cious. She listened to the denial with
out much interest and answered:
"Mr. johnson. you were at church
again last Sunday. but you never no
ticed me-
I'll guess I must have been power
fully taken up with the sermon"
"As to this suit. Mr.. johnson. 1t
must go onr'
Mr.. johnson was not ut church next
Sunday. He went out and sat down
with his back to a strawstack to do
some thinking. He had terror Of the
law, and be wondered what was COM
ing next He had but few hours to
wait. Monday afternoon the constable
was there with the third summons.
snow. what In Aunt JENNY is 1t
this timer" be shouted as the paper
was put into his hands.
THE widow is suing you for running
your wagon agin her fire.. believe.
was the reply.
but 1 haven't driven Il" wagon past
her house In a month";
'.Bstter see her about H."
"rn be hanged II don't and I'll
talk right up to her too
But he didn't. Next day, when he
called be was received with a smile.
and the widow proceeded to say:
'a!r. Johnson. you were not In
church last Sunday"
NO"
And consequently you did not see
me. This suit must so onv
"But. wilder. there amt no sense In
1t. can prove that 1 never run into
your fence"
.Ycsg"
IF 1 had I'D have paid damages
right away. And I don't own no one
horned COW nor a black hog"
eNos But the suits must 60 on. WIN
you be at church next Sunday"
IF I amt too troubled In my mind
Three different lawsuits on me. and
amt the man nfter air
For a time. when the next Sabbath
came around. II was doubtful IL Mr.
johnson would attend church He
made up his mind at the last moment.
however. and put In an appearance
The widow was forgotten fer the frst
hour. aud then he suddenly turned
square around and looked into her
fecs and received a smile He didn't
know whether st meant a fourth sum
mons next dag or what. but when the
benediction was pronounced he heard
himself saying:
~widder Roberts. II you don't mind
I'm going TO walk home with you
Only too happy. Mr.. Roberts"
/, And as soon as they bad left the
church eai6ce be began:
-wsdder. I never owned a one born
Cd COW
Il know you never did.- was admitted
-Nor a black bog"
No. nor a black bog