Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1911-10-13

"oe misslng. out she
wasn't chasing around to volunteer Ia.
formation. Widows know when to keen
quiet Besides, after several DAYS had
gone by she received a letter from a
friend In the country containing news
that relieved her mind considerably
and brought smile to her face and
plan to her mind.
Il wish you were here" wrote the
correspondent I'VE have a romantic
mystery on hand There's an old log
house in the woods half a mile down
the road. II has not been occupied
Tor years, and Is sadly out Of repair.
but beholdl hermit came a day or
two ago to take up his quarters. No
old rags! No venerable whiskersl
Middle-aged and decently dressed, and
they say he spends most Of his time
incoming and signing Lives mostly
on turnips, guess. and sleeps on a
brush bed. Uncle Jim was over
see him yesterday. but could not get
much out of him. Seems to be some
one who has been disappointed in love,
and thinks the world has gone to
smash. Hurry down and help us to
solve the mystery by finding the guilty
party who gave him the shake"
The widow smiled and nodded as
she read the letter. She even said to
herself: Yes, that would be Just Ike
him." Then she went to packing so
as to leave for the country sooner
than she had planned for. She started,
arrived, and was welcomed. She had
scarcely hueged her friend when she
was greeted with:
THE hermit Is there yet We heard
him grooming love song last night,
after stealing onions and turnips for
his supper"
Some escaped lunatic, probably"
"oh. no. he can't be. He's just break
Ing his heart over some woman. What
wicked wretch she must be to drive
him out Of the world in this wayl"
Yes And what ninny he must
be to have been driven"
Now, then. hurry up and change
and get lunch and we'll go over to the
hut Perhaps we can encourage and
console him"
An hour later the widow an
nounced that she was going to see
the hermit. She might or might not
know him, but she had an idea she
did. There was considerable .argu-
ment about her going alone. but she
nrovaf1od and ecf 5f-.~ksS-- .-S
started on. It was an ideal place for
hermit. The woods and brush were
dense. the old house almost roofless.
and more lonely spot could not have
been found for ten miles around. From
the shelter Of brush the widow took
a long look Only a woodpecker was
to be seen and heard. and he was GER
tainly detected looking bird. After
q time an advance was made to the
gaping doorway, and the hermit of the
wilderness was made out to be seat
ed in a dark corner with his head
on his knees
"Bascom, come Quit"
The figure never stirred.
Come out. I sayI"
''Who-what9r
Come out and don't play the
ninny."
rs 1t you. Nina7- was asked in a
mournful voice as disheveled figure
arose and came to the door.
"Of course 1t is. Come along!"
It's too latel"
Too late. nothingi"
And she. took the hermit's hand and
led him to a little glade and sat him
down and seated herself beside him
and said:
"All said that night was that
man with your money and brains
ought to do something to make your
self known to the world, and you be-
came angry and took your departure"
But you-you intimated--"
Yes. but that's all passed. You have
done something. and that's all ask
ed. You are In all the papers. You
are the talk Of the town You are be-
ing searched for. Bascom. no woman
wants to marry nonentity. You are
not one You have made fool OF
LIN