The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-03-04
TIE EVENING STORY
A Wic.1d Widow.
(By Donald Allen.)

As, and was in love with Abraham
Drew.
The widower was farmer just out
side the village of Cairo. and the wild
ow was a resident of the town.
There was no romance to be-
gin their love. There seldom is with
people above 40. Abraham was going
to town one day after some nails, and
he said to himself:
"Now there is the Wilder Green.
She hasn't any garden. and Early
Rose 'taters are worth IS cents
bushel. Why not dig a bushel and
tote 'em in to her?''
AS Abraham left them on the kitch-
en- steps the pleased widow said;
81 declare. but I didn't think there
was as good a man as you in all
America!"
No romance about that! Just Early
Rose potatoes and a kind heart Early
Roses are mealy and fine, but it is
hard to connect turtle doves with
them.
The next time he came to town
Abraham brought the widow some
string beans and cucumbers. No love
yet, and there isn't a story writer in
the country who would dare mingle
string beans and cucumberS with bah
bling brooks shady dells and soft
moonlight nights. String beans are
something to "stay by a hired man
when following the pillow, and cucum-
bers are SO per cent. water and the
rest rind.
Abraham had brought green corn,
carrots and beets. and been smi1ingly
thanked over and over again ere he
said to himself:
"Doggone it. why don't I ask the
wilder to marry me?"
He was feeding the hogs at the time,
and he leaned up against the pen for
a couple of minutes and thought hard
and then continued:
by Jim, I'll do it!''
There was need of salaratus in the
house, and next day he went to the
store after 1t. 1t was pumpkin time,
and he took along three big, blush
ing yellow pumpkins that were fit to
make pies for a king: He could carry
them around to the kitchen only one
at a time. The Widow Green was at
the washtub. She raised her red
hands to flirt the suds off and to ex-
claim:
abraham Drew, but what a dear.
81 though mebbe you liked pump
kin pies he rather sheepishly ex-
planned as he sat down, with one OF
the pumpkins on his knees.
YOU would have thought to bring me
the pumpkins? You have been so
good to me that I don't know how to
thank you"
"Widder-''
(She felt a thrill.)
"Widder, L guess
(She lifted a towel from the tub
and began wringing IT'D
"Widder. L am w1doWer, as you
know, and you are widow, as Know
and-and guess we'd better git mar
ried."
The widow gave the towel a last
wiring and tapped it open to be hung
on the line.
What dye say?"
'rWhy, why, Abraham, II you want
me then I want you"
That was all. No romance. NO
whippoorwills about. No shady dells-
Just pumpkins and a washtub.
1t was planned that the marriage
By that time Abraham would have his
corn cut and husked, his potatoes dug
and his hogs turned into pork. me
widow should have her new rag car
net done and her herbs gathered, and
there would be nothing to interrupt
A week before the appointed day
Mre Green went over to Colville, ten
miles away, and much larger vi
1ave. to pay her sister visit. She
US zone five days, and when she re
turned she was a changed woman:
Abraham noticed it in moment and
asked: .,.,,.
"N-no." was the brief reply.
"Get mad at your sister 2?
been disappointed about any
thing?''
"Wel1. something has happened to
wake a great change in you Mebbe
YOU are sorry you promised to marry
The widow sat down and began to
cry. +,ra os so
'ilt n0b kbraham," sobbed the woman.
eve can't-can't be married next
l .sThe devil we can't!'' shouted Abra-
ham.
.Rut you've got to- You haven't
been passing yourself off for wilder
ana had a husband living all the time,
have you?''
Did your sister or any one talk
aein me and advise you not to marry
me? % >,
what" !
And if 1 should die tonight I'd go
straight to the bad place!"
what you been adding, Hammer ?"
asked Abraham as a sort of chill pass
ed over him Have you plzeneo some
body's well?"
"Burned a haystack?"
..No, not that. Oh. Abraham, I'm a
wretched woman 1 always wanted to
go to heaven, and now I can't I've
you haven't lost your soul any
more than / have lost my heels. We
was to be married next Thursday, and
by the great horn spoon we shall be!