Evening journal., 1910-10-18

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 It was
then that Farmer Johnson. widower.
bought farm near the village and
settled upon it.
Farmer Johnson was a middle aged
and very busy man. He made few ac-
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 one horned COW
belonging TO me damaged her garden
$40 worth. Never owned a one horn
ed COW In my life"
That afternoon he went down TO see
the widow about Il. 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 arouss onceF
"Mebbe not. I'm no hand to look
around In church"
"Ahem, Mr.. johnson. this suit must
go 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 a second
summons. This time II claimed dam
ages for a black hog carrying the wild
ows gate or its hinges.
by smoke but what's the woman
atg' 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-"
IL guess I must have been power
fully taken up with the sermon"
LAS TO this suit. Mr. Johnson. It
must go ong' 81
Mr.. johnson was not at church next
Sunday. he went out and sat down
with his back to a strawstack to do
some thinking. He had a terror OF the
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 II
this timer" he shouted as the paper
was put into his hands a.
The widow is suing You for running
your wagon agin her fence, i believe"
was the reply.
But ] haven't driven no wagon past
her house in a month";
Better see her about e."
'T'll be hanged II don't. and I'll
talk right up to her toor'
But he didn't Next day when he
called he was received with a smile,
and the widow proceeded to say;
Mr.. Johnson. you were not in
church last Sunday"
"No"
"And consequently you did not see
me. This suit must so on"
But. widder. there amt no sense in
It l can prove that never run into
your fence"
"Yes?"
III 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. WIN
you be at church next Sunday?"
'1f amt too troubled in my mind.
\ Three different lawsuits on me. and
ain't the man after allr'
For a 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 q 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;
"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 had left the
church edifce he began
"Widder. never owned a one horn
ed COW"
Il know you never did" was admitted
''Nor a black hog"
mo. nor a 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 notr
THE suits will at once be withdrawn
and now that we have become friend.
! shall be happy to have you call al
any time"
by gumi BY gum. But what 8
blind old bat man can be- exclaimed
the farmer as he slapped his leg
And he called and called. and ths
more be called the better they liked
each other. and within less than a yea
he was slapping his leg again and say
ing:
Dog my cats. might have kept on
being a fool and lost heri"
COUNTY ORDERS WATCHMEN.