The Red Cloud chief., 1912-05-02
Hivine the
Bees
Copyright, 1912. by Associated ILterar,
PrCss)
BY Clara lnes Deacon

When the widow Skinner sold her
farm on tho High ilill road and
bought another In tho Rcd Bridge
neighborhood she became the nearest
ncighbor OF farmer Roberts. widowcr.
Why they took an aversion to each
other Mt first sight neither OF them
could explain. but an aversion there
was where there should have been
neighboriy friendiincss.
Farmer Roberts made up his mind
In a day. almost, that no should Meth.
or borrow nor lend any tools or I'M
plements OF any sort. Tho widow
made up her mind Just rs quickly that
she wouldn't be friends with a man
who threw stones at her geese the
very first day she moved In.
There was tho widower who needed
wife. and there was tho widDw who
would have been much better on with
husband to manage things. and IN.
stead OF taking the sensible way they
avoided It.
What l want her to understand"
said the farmer to q friend. rs that
II any OF her hogs git into my 'tater
field | sh'ant spare her cause she Is
n woman"
or course the widow heard OF the
threat. and she wouldn't have been a
free-born American woman II she
hadn't answered back.
THE old skeesicks. but ne hadn't
better pick no fuss with me! The
first time find that jumping old COW
OF his in my corn he'll see that I'm
not a helpless woman"
There are even more chances to
pick fuss with neighbor In the
country than in the city. II was not
long before one OF the widows hogs
came squealing home with bleeding
ear. He had rooted under the line
fence and feasted on the widowcr's
COW came home minus a horn. The
widow could throw rock or handle Z
club 40 we'll 40 q man.
There was . creek flowing through
both farms. Ono day the widows
ducks took q voyage OF discovery up
stream. Farmer Roberts waited unit
they reached bis line and he wrunl
the neck Of the old drake who waa
acting 40 pilot. The body was tossed
back on the Widows land with q grin
OF satisfaction. She discovered It.
and day or two later the widower's
biggest and favorite rooster lost his
life while exploring a strange barn
yard.
Things like these do not pass in the
country without being commented on
A minister In the village three miles
away heard OF them and drove out to
talk Of peace on earth and good Will
to men. but he rather muddled In
stead Of helping things.
"Am I going to take his sass Just
because I'm q woman!" demanded
the widow. mo. sir! He begun this
ere fuss, and he's got to come to me
and say he's sorry before III stop!'
"You see." said the widower when
II came his turn to talk. "she neveI
asked me question when she came
to buy that farm. Just went right
ahead a. II she's bought Q farm every
week in the year. II shed been tn,
right kind OF q woman she'd have
come to me for advice. neyel
knuckled down to any woman yet
and I'm not going to begin now"
OF course. things could not 60 OF
long without legal trouble.
Tho widower picked some goose
berries over the Widows line. and sh,
sauntered out that way and callel
him q thief. This epithet. being over
heard by third party. constituted
defamation of character. and suit wa
brought. While the law was deiayinl
tho case to let 1t get tcecoid. tn,
widow helped herself to pears from {
treo clearly the property OF the wild
over. He was on tho watch for over
acts and called her robber. III,
epithet was not overheard by a thirt
party, but she insisted on bringing
suit Just the same. asserting that til,
p7an made many gestures with hi'
I.,nds as he talked.
The minister drove out from the VII
.ge again. This time he took an
ther tack. He began on the widow
With:
MRS. Skinner. you are a lone WON
In"
| oOt uOOuuy Son oSoAO uGS wa
her prompt reply.
mo. OF course not. but how muci
better not to have cares and worries
and troubles. You being widow
and Mr.. Roberts being widower.
would seem to me that"
Hold right on. Mr.. Tayior!" sh,
interrupted. II know how II woult
seem to you. but you can save you
breath. A widow don't have to MARI!
some old poke Of man to keep he
|, rights"
"Ths farms adjoin. and you coui'
be 20 happy"
"Yes, the farms adJoin. but tn
widow and widower don't speak an,
never will"
III you and Mr.. Roberts would 81
down together and"