Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1912-05-17

He thinks he'll make me hold up,
and here is the chance to show him
that he cant boss me-"
Moses stood up and swung his arms
and called TO the widow to halt. She
stood up and motionsd and called to
him Both teams continued to ad-
vance, and presently the horses we're
rubbing noses in the center Of the
causewayl
"Nog. smarty. you've done it,"
shouted Moses.
so have you'll" was shouted back.
A load of hay cannot climb over
4 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 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 meant"
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.
But one Of you will have to back
out
Then it'll be HIM"
Then it'll be her!"
The doctor argued for twenty min
utes. but found them both obstinate
~ determined. Then he threatened
a suit for damages and turned about
to drive back a mile and take an
other road Then peddler came up
then a farmer-then the agent for
a potato digger-then two or three
more teams and persons. There was
no getting past Each one had more
or less 10 say. and each one offered
his services to help back one of the
loads off the causeway.
Its just this way" explained
Moses to them all. That's the
Widow Lee, and she brags that no
one ever bossed her. and that what
she says goes. She's doing this to
be mean, but I'll sit right here for a
week before I'll give in"
And I'll sit for a month" replied
the woman Don't anybody try to
back my wagon off If they do III
give 'em a suit for damages."
At one time in the day there were
twelve vehicles blockaded by the two
on the narrow way, and nothing that
could be said to widow or widower
would break the deadlock. They
were there at noon, and they were
there at shutdown. Moses's daughter
brought him meat and drink, and the
widow was furnished the same by
her hired man. The night came
down. but both remained. At mid
night they were there. At daylight
they were looking across at each
other with sleepy eyes.
Folks have said that the deadlock
might have lasted week but for
the coming of preacher. He was on
his way to a forenoon wedding.
When he found his way blocked he
began to argue, and by and by he
struck the right chord.
"Why not both back off the cause
way at once?" he asked. I'm that
case neither. of you will have given
in"
The compromise looked good to
both. and they got down and carried
it out. When they had done so the
preacher asked
"Now, why not get married."
give changed my mind and don't
want heri" replied Moses.
"And I've changed my mind and
do want himl" added the widow.
Then you see how it is again"
softly said the preacher. THE widow
first objects and then gives in. The
widower first wants her, and then
doesn't. Even thing. you see. Both
give in and nobody gives in. Both
stick out, and nobody wins
And they drove up to the widows
house, gave her time to change her
dress. and she was made Mrs. Cos
grove, and a happy woman.