The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1910-10-13
Law and Matrimony
By M. QUAD
Copyright, 1910 by Associated Lit
cray Press.
By M. QUAD

| 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 a widow more
than 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 a farm near the village and
settled upon it.
Farmer Johnson was a middle aged
| and very busy man. He made few &C.
quaintanceS in the village. Three
months passed. and he had never
heard of Widow Roberts. Then a con-
stable served a summons on him as
defendant in a 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 one horn
ed cow in my life"
That afternoon he went down to see
the widow about it. He was very gra-
ciously received and his statement lis
| tened to and not cOntradicted. Instead
| of the last. the widow said:
"Mr. 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 once!'
"Mebbe not. I'm no hand to look
around in church"
"Ahem. Mr.. Johnson, this suit must
60 on
Mr.. Johnson was at church next
Sunday, but he didn't look around
| What time he wasn't thinking of that
lawsuit he was mad. Monday after
noon he received a second visit from
| the constable. and there was second
summons. This time it claimed dam
ages for black hog carrying the wild
ow's gate off it's hinges.
by smoke. but what's the woman
atv' he shouted as he read. II don't
own no black hog and never did"
Better go 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 must have been power
fully taken up with the sermon.
LAS to this suit. Mr.. johnson, 1t
must 60 on
Mr. johnson was not at church next
Sunday He went out and sat down
with his back to strawstack to do
law. and he wondered what was COM
ing next. He had but a few hours to
wait. Monday afternoon the constable
was there with the third summons.
"Now, what in Aunt JENNY is it
this timer" he shouted as the paper
was put into his hands.
1.-THE widow is suing you for running
your wagon agin her fence. believe"
was the reply.
But haven't driven no wagon past
her house in a MONTH"
Better see her about it,
9TH be hanged if don't. and I'll
talk right up to her toov'
| L.
called he was received with smile.
and the widow proceeded to say:
"Mr. Johnson. you were not in
church last Sunday"
mo-
"And consequently you did not see
me. This suit must go on!'
But, wilder, there amt no sense in
it. can prove that l never run into
your fence"
"Yes?'
IF l had I'd have paid damages
right away. And l don't own no one
horned COW nor black hog"
mo? But the suits must go on. Will
you be at church next Sunday?'
IF l amt too troubled in my mind
Three different lawsuits on me. and
amt the man after all!'
For time. when the next Sabbath
came around. it was doubtful if Mr.
Johnson would attend church. He
made up his mind at the last moment
however. and put in an appearance
The widow was forgotten for the first
hour. and then he suddenly turned
square around and looked into her
face and received smile. He didn't
know whether it meant a fourth sum.
mons next day or what. but when the
benediction was pronounced he heard
himself saying:
Wilder Roberts. if you don't mind
I'm going to walk home with you"
only too happy, Mr.. Roberts"
And as soon as they had left the
church ediice he began:
"Widder. never owned a one horn
ed cow"
II know you never did" was admitted
"Nor black hog"
mo, nor black hog"
"And l never busted your garden
fence"
Surely not
Then why all these lawsuits?'
Would you have noticed me with
out?"
by cracky. might not!''
THE suits will at once be withdrawn
and now that we have become friends
l shall be happy to have you call al
any time"
by gum! By gum! But what 9
blind old bat man can be-" exclaimed
| Tho fQ a. hn clio hic