The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-11-14
TIE EVENING STORY
Holding the Fort.
(Bv Donald AIlen.l

TOUR WIDOWS VINO, ne LIOuS4ls WOulu
fill the BILL but at length he settled on
Mrs. Hannah Lee. In his own way he
figured that he had only to drive over
to her farm and say that he had de-
cided to marry her, and the widow and
the farm would be his.
Moses must have heard that the
Widow Lee was very obstinate wom-
an. In fact. she delighted in being
obstinate. She denied many accepted
things just to differ from her neigh
bors. She lamented the loss of her
husband, but at the same time she said
he didn't amount to much as man
because he wouldn't argue point If
Noses had known his business as a
sutton he would have dropped in on the
widow and said:
Widow Lee, 1 have decided to get
married again, but III be hanged if L
want you"
The widow at once would have
brought forward forty different rea-
sons why he did want her. and why
they should be married, and the cere-
mony might have come off in two
weeks. But Moses took the other way.
Mrs. Lee knew him for Woodworking,
successful farmer, and she rather liked
him but his assurance reused her OPP
position at once, and her reply was:
Moses Cosgrove, I wouldn't marry
you if you was the last man on earth!'
but why: ?"
None o. your businessl 1 am mix
ing bread just now, as you can see.
and [ haven't time to answer fool
questions. You go and marry some
woman who amt got no mind of her
own"
But 1 want you"
But you can't get me-
sfSee here, widow, I'm determined
man. When 1 say thing I mean it"
Moses Cosgrove- I've never been
bossed yet, and I've never gone back
on what I said
'tI'll come again.
But it won't do you a mite of
good"
That was the beginning of what
Moses called a six months courtship,
but which Mrs. Lee characterized as
six months of Fostering around. Every
few days Moses would call to say:
well, widow, have you changed
your mind yet?''
mot by a jugfuIi'
Better get at it soon. You are
growing old and homely every day"
"And that's none of your business.
IF you poster me much longer I'll have
the constable after you"
1T amt against the law to court
widow woman, and the constable can't
interfere. I told you the first day I
came here that we would be married
sooner or later, and by the great gee
whillikins, it'll be SOL
Never, MOSES COSSTOV0"LeV6I.
ST am an obstinate man"
"And I'm an obstinate woman. If
said that soft soap was maple 'lasses
I'd drink a quart of it rather than
give in"
It was early spring when Moses Cos
grove began his campaign. Fall had
come, and he had made no progress.
He wasn't discouraged, however. There
is such q thing as luck in counting a
widow. and he was patiently waiting
for luck to come his way
One forenoon he started for town
to sell a load of hay. At about the
same time the widow started to de-
liver a load of oat straw she had sold
to a cider mill on the other side of
him. They lived a mile apart. On the
highway between them was a swampy
spot which had been corduroyed. The
way here for a distance of ten rods
was not over ten feet wide. If a vehicle
was on the causeway another coming
up must wait it's turn.
AS Moses Cosgrove approached the
narrow way he saw something coming
that caused him to growl out:
"I'l be hanged if that amt the
Widow Lee coming on load of straw.
and she means to get the way on me,
Darn my cats. if she does!"
And the Widow Lee saw the load of
hay ahead of her. and recognized
Moses. and said to herself:
He thinks he'll make me hold up,
and here is the chance to show him
that he can't boss mel"
Moses stood up and swung his arms
and called to the widow to halt. She
stood up and motioned and called to
him. Both teams continued to ad-
vance, and presently the horses were
rubbing noses in the center of the
causeway!
Now, smarty. you've done it,"
Moses.
so have you!" was shouted back.
A load of hay cannot climb over
load of straw, turn to right or left into
a swamp and expect to get out again.
One load must be backed up to the
turning out place. Which should it
be?
Moses nestled down in the hay as
if preparing to take a nap. The wild
ow Lee began picking out the longest
and brightest straws to weave into a |
mat to set the hot teapot on. Not a |
word was said for the next half hour. |
Then a doctor came along in his gig |
and when stopped by the blockade, he |
called out:
What in thunder does this mean ?"
HE thinks he owns this highway" |
replied the widow as she pointed to |
Moses.
And she thinks she can drive me
into the swamp" added Moses as he
scrambled up and pointed.
OUT
Then it'll be him.
'HThen it'll be her,''
The doctor argued for twenty min |
utes, but found them both obstinate |
" determined. Then he threatened a 1
suit for damages and turned about to
drive back a mile and take another /
road Then a peddler came up-then /
a farmer-then the agent for a potato /
and persons. There was no getting