Gilpin observer., 1913-09-04
FA|R-M|NDED LOVER
Though 1t Took ceveraI Thrilling
Episodes to Convince the
Widow.
BY LAWRENCE ALFRED CLAY.

by trade. There is always little Gu
riosity as to old bachelors and old
maids. The query Of: why don't
they get married?" is always live
one.
The reason Stephen didn't get mar
ried was because he was always a lit
tie too late. When he had come
across a woman he felt that he could
love he discovered that some one else
was loving her and had the promise
of her hand in marriage.
Stephen Hackett had come over to
the town of Hillcrest to work at his
trade. The first job he got was build
ing fence for Deacon Hardy. 1t was
cant lot and one owned by the widow
Nixon. No measurements had been
taken, but the dividing line had been
guessed at. Therefore, when the car
penter found dead apple tree in his
path he cut 1t down. Three hours later
he was sued for the sum Of $25. He
went to the deacon's house to state
the fact.
Was that apple tree on the Wild
ow's land?" he asked.
Il dunno" was the reply.
But you ought to have known"
Yes, l s'pose / had, but l didn't
think there'd be any fuss raised If we
got foot over on her line
What sort of a woman Is she?"
She always pays back borrowed
tea and coffee. but she's leetle
techy"
Dye think I'd better see her about
this suit?''
Il don't think it would do any good.
was workin' for me. You see. we don't
agree"
But why didn't you say so?"
Il forgot to. You see the widder be-
lieves in sprinklin' and believe in i'm
mersion. and we can never agree as
to which saves the most SOULS
You'd better cut the water out en-
tirely and be neighbors!" advised
Stephen as he started off to call on
the widow.
She was at home, and he introduced
of a woman I'd get married." he
said.
''Sir!" she gasped.
Il am an even-tempered and a lov-
ing man."
Sir"
I've got money enough in the bank
to buy little home. and it's time l
settled down and took some comfort.
l know you will excuse me when /
say am pleased with your looks"
Sir. are you crazy!" the widow de-
manded.
mo, ma'am. I'm just speaking
word in advance, as 1t were"
You are most impudent. sir,
and"
"If 1t was a man suing me for that
dead apple tree I'd tell him to go to.
but with a woman, and especially a
widow. it's different. You'll get beat
en- because Deacon Hardy is the right
party to sue. You will have to show
that dead apple tree bears apples.
You will be asked IL you don't quar-
rel with your neighbors. You will be
asked II your deceased husband was
not glad to die
The widow was speechless with sur
prise and anger.
And worst of all. ma aam-worst OF
all for you. you will be asked your
age! Yes, ma'am, they will ask 1t,
and you must answer or go to jail
for contempt! l take 1t that you are
under forty, and l am sure that your
neighbors do. and what a sensation 1t
will create when you have to swear
to forty-three or forty-four."
The widow Nixon turned pale and
sat down.
You believe in sprinkling instead
Of immersion" continued the car
penter What will folks say II
you take me into court. me believing
the same?"
IL"
And later on do you want folks to
say that you sued me before l would
mixed up, you know. You can never
make anybody believe that you sued
me for a dead apple tree"
Sir what is all this talk" demand
ed the woman as she suddenly found
her voice.
I'VE are talking about line fences,
dead apple trees. sprinkling, lawsuits
and getting married. Think It over.
widow-think 1t over. am a fair
minded man and will not take advan-
tage OF you"
With that he walked out OF the
house. The widow first shed tears OF
anger Then she went down to the
lawyer she had employed and said
she guessed she would withdraw the
suit.
II think it's better" he replied. I'VE
can't prove anything but dead ap-
pie tree. and anyhow Deacon Hardy
is the man we ought to have sued"
1t thus came about that Mr.. Hack
EFT heard no more of the suit. For
two weeks he heard no more of the
widow. either Then he got an idle
day and started of fishing. 1t was