Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1911-09-19

floor couldn't set the wedding da,
as well as one all dressed up anc
seated in the parlor. He almost
made up his wind that the widow
was finicky and had better be left
in widowhood. AS the days went by
however, he forgave her and made
ready for his third visit. This was
made on Sunday afternoon She
surely wouldn't be scrubbing in 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 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:
Jasper Gregg, what sort Of man
do you call yourself?"
why, widow, what's wrong?"
You're all dressed up, amt your"
Eyes"
Boots creased and hair oiled?"
eyes"
"And you've come to ask me to
marry you! Lordy, Lordy, but what
idiots some men are! They just go
right ahead, the same as II they was
plowin' clay land, and never think of
other folks. Here I've been kicked
by frolicky calf and the breath
knocked out Of me for week to
come, and you are here to talk about
marriage"
But didn't know about the kick
ing he protested.
We'll, you know it now, and you've
got to give me chance to have some
dignity. swan, if I'll be kicked by
calf in the forenoon and then prom
Use to be somebody's wife in the after
noon! You go back home!"
"This is three times. SARAH" he
called.
Il don't care If it's 300!"
Jasper Gregg walked home with his
hands behind his back and his eyes on
the mayweeds along the dusty high
way. Three times he had asked, and
three times he had been thrown down.
The Widow Hopkins was not for him.
The hay season was coming on and
he could spare no more time. He
banished her from his thoughts as
far as he could, and next morning
went down into the field to mend
fence. There was shaky spot, and
the bull in the next field might get
through.
A kick from a calf seldom kills. II
seldom lays the victim up for more
than day. The Widow Hopkins
awoke feeling pretty nearly all right |
next morning, and after breakfast
to keep her soft soap kettle from boil
Ing over. She worked along toward
Jasper Gregg, but on account OF the
hazel bushes she didn't see Rim until
within so feet. Then two historic
events happened at once. He looked
Ip, and there was below from the
bull. Next moment the animal came
charging for the shaky spot in the
'ence. The man saw that he would
mock the rails down and be upon
hem, and without word he swung
himself into shade tree close at
land and then reached down for the
widow and drew her up beside him
There was below and crash,
md the bull was with them. He
risked. He paved. He beloved. He
tipped bark from the tree with his
lcrns.
"He can't get at u.s." said the wild
,wer, as he put his arm around the
widow.
II was thfnkin'." she replied. as she
aid hand on his.
What about?'
you amt dressed up. nor either.
We are up tree and an old bull bel
ering for our lives Jasper. this amt
omance. 1t amt dignity. There amt
! speck of sentiment in 1t, but"
But what, Sarah?"
But If you want me, I'm yours."
Fiction or History.