The Green Forest tribune., 1910-03-25

 ing about 700 inhabitants, was some times referred to as "Widowville." There were seven widows there, and four of them had been made such by one single calamity.
 There were those in the town who said that each and every one of these widows would marry again If she had the chance, and after all this was no libel on them. Why not remarry if they could find good husbands? It Is woman's destiny to marry It may be her destiny to marry two or three times
 When Silas Watkins sold his farm and moved into Baskerville he was the only catch" in town. He was bach elor of 35; he had money; he was not bad-looking man. The seven widows, the four old maids and the two mar riageable girls in town began to take notice. Why not? It is the duty of woman to marry to the best advan- tage. As a farmer, MT Watkins had lived alone. As villager, he rented a house and took his meals at an- other, thus preserving bachelor quar- ters.
 It was the widow Smith who made the first move. MT. Watkins estab- lished q grocery. She made her pur- chases there. She also extended her congratulations; likewise her invita- tion to run in any evening and make himself perfectly at home; also to sit in her church pew of a Sunday until he had rented one of his own; also, to look out for other widows and not find himself with a of-promise suit on hand.
 The widow Stevens came next. She had heard of the purchases made by the widow Smith, and she bought twice as much and talked twice as long. She offered to sew on buttons or darn socks and to send her daughter over to make his bed and sweep up. She realized his lonely condition and pit jed him.
 Then, one by one, the other widows dropped in, and the old maids followed after, and the two girls met Mr Wat
  giggled. Within a month, however, the field was left to the widows Smith and Stevens. It was tacitly agreed that none of the others stood show. For a wonder, they were not a bit jealous of each other, but continued to be the best of friends. Their motto was: May the best man win" They even went over, arm in arm, and sat on the doorsteps with the grocer in the twi- light of a summers evening" Together they dusteG his furniture and made tidies and pin cushions for him
 MT. Watkins had intended to marry when the right woman came along. He was pleased with his reception at Eas- tonville. He was gratified at the large and select stock of matrimonial candi- dates on hand. The only trouble lay in the making up of his mind He took supper with one widow and then with the other, Knd as far as the pub lie could see he treated both alike
 When things had gone on most pleasantly for three months both widows happened to call at the store at the same time. In his gossip with them the grocer mentioned that he had sold his farm because a spook had ap- peared one night and advised him to do so The widows laughed, but he was very much in earnest.
 That's pointer for me-" said the widow Smith as she left the store.
 T now SC my way clear" said the widow Stevens as she also left.
 The cutest kind of a stock broker wouidn't have caught on to that spook business, but two widows did, and the very next night 1t was acted on. The widow Smith had only to climb two back fences to bring up in the bach elor's back yard. Then it was a matter of moment to pose herself before his open bedroom window. She had a pillowcase drawn over her head and a sheet plnned around her. When all was ready she stilled her bounding heart and called the sleeping MT, Watkins by his first name. He bounded out of bed and stuck his head out of the win dow and asked who was there
 "Sllas, l am a spook!" answered a muffled voice.
 Yes, yes"
 And l have come to advise you again."
 Shall l sell my grocery?"
 No; l have come to advise you not to marry the widow Stevens. She is not the woman to make you real hap py You should marry, but take the widow Smith,"
 'Mebbe she won't have me-" replied Silas.
 q am a spook. l know her mind"
 By gum. but I'll do it."
 And he would have done so within twenty-tour hours but for very sin gular circumstance. An hour had passed since the spook faded away and Silas was wide awake and thinking, >~>~~~-~-~~~~~~~~o~~-~-~~ ~~~~-~~~~~~-~~~~~~~~-~-