Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-02-09
WINNING A WIDOW.

tnat happened when the freaks caIno
to the little gray house.
WINNING A WIDOW.
BY CARL JENKINS.
Copyright, 1911, by Associated Liter
airy Press.) Y
Jasper Gregg. farmer and widoWer,
had made up his mind to marry
again. Moreover, he had made up his
mind to marry the widow Hopkins,
who lived on farm a mile away.
He had known her for three years.
She was amiable, thrifty and friend
ly. She must be aware that he was
forehanded, good tempered, and that
when his good wife had been called
to go she had left two good pairs of
shoes behind her. There were farm
ers who were stingy about buying
one.
Farmer Gregg made up his mind
about second marriage the same as
he would have done about buying a
piece Of land. 1t would be good
thing for him and for the widow. No
disrespect to her whatever, but why
waste time that might be used in
hoeing potatoes? It was summer, and
in summer farm work is always
driving.
After breakfast one morning, the
widower walked down the road to
the widows place. He wasn't at all
shaky. On the contrary he was very
calm. He found her sweeping the
kitchen after having cleared break
fast away, and he was kindly
greeted. The widow had only asked
him if the later bugs were doing
much damage in his field when he
quietly said:
Sarah, I've come to ask you to
marry me-
"Good lands!' she replied, as she
leaned on the broom handle.
"Will you do it,"
Mrs. Hopkins stood the broom up
in the corner, removed the apron she
was wearing, and then turned on him.
casper Gregg, who do you think l
am?' she demanded
"The widow Hopkins"
Eyes, I am, and I've got feelings.
I've got feelings and I've got dignity.
You are here with your old clothes
on, the same as If you wanted to bor-
row shovel, and yet askin' me right
out to marry you! You've got hick-
DRY shirt on, patches on your trousers,
and your hat is old and rusty. never
heard the likes Of your impudence. Is
this the way you won your first wife,
'T-I just thought I'd ask" replied
Jasper, good deal astonished.
well, you can just think a heap
of other thoughts. You want a coat
on your back next time you ask me
to marry you. This getting married
amt like going out and blowing corn.
There's dignity about it."
'"Well, I'm sorry if I've hurt your
feelings. l didn't 60 to do It,"
I'm forgiving you. Jasper, but think
it over and you'll see that there must
be dignity about It."
The matter was given due refec-
ton, and at the end of a fortnight
Mr.. Gregg donned his best suit and
creased his boots and paid another
visit. He appeared at bad hour.
The widow was down on hands and
knees and giving the kitchen floor a
glorious old scrubbing with sand and
soap. She had an old dress on, and
her hair was flying.
Mercy on me, but you here!" she
exclaimed as Jasper appeared in the
door. u
Eyes, it's me-"
"And got your best clothes on!"
Eyes, and I've come to ask you over
again."
Hear the man. Look at me! Jas.
per Gregg, did you ever hear of a
man asking woman to be his wife
when she was scrubbin' a dinged old
kitchen floor"
Cant say ever did,"
"And no one but fool would do it..
Can't pound it into your head that
I've got feelings and dignity. You go
right back home! Why, l wouldn't say
yes now If king was to offer me his
palace!"
Mr.. Gregg's feelings were bit hurt.
He had lost an hour and half from
farm, and he couldn't understand why
a woman scrubbing floor couldn't
set the wedding day as well as one
all dressed up and seated in the par
lor. He almost made up his mind that
the widow was finicky and had bett or
De lSlI III WIuOWuOOu. <Ao IAC uety .
went by, however, he forgaye her and
made ready for his third visit. This
was made of Sunday afternoon. She
surely wouldn't be scrubbing on that
day. On the contrary, she would be
dressed up and sitting on the porch.
Things had happened that Sunday
morning. There was calf to be tied
up and while the hired man was
busy at something else the widow
Hopkins took the calf in, hand. In
the scrimmage she received a kick
that laid her out. With the help OF
the hired girl she crawled into the
house and into bed.
When Jasper Gregg arrived and en-
tered the sitting room his nose was
greeted with the odor of camphor
and liniment, and the hired girl ex-
planned what had happened. He was
ordered to take seat near the door
of the bedroom, and the patient
called out: