The Adair County news. [volume] (Columbia, Ky.) 1897-1987, 1913-11-12
SOLVING A
MYSTERY
By M. QUAD
Copyright, 1913, by Associated Lit
erary Press.

can boast of six widows, five old
bachelors, six widOwers and five old
maids you may take it that that COM
munity is 'gOing some"
Such was the case with the village of
Grand View, and when a stranger
would refer to the rival village Of
Spring Valley as having two butcher
shops he was met with the reply:
'YeS, sir. | admit that she has. but
where are her widows and widowers
and old maids and old bachelors? She
hasn't enough to count on two fingers.
If you are looking for home, sir. go
no further than this, where business
is always steady and real estate on
the BOOM"
There was a flaw in the armor,
though strangers did not get on to the
fact While these four classes of peo-
pie were residents, there were no mar
Tiages between them.
The catch among the combined wild
overs and bachelors was Abraham
Gunner He was a bach. He was
the wealthiest He was popular.
All of a sudden Abraham received
drop letter at the poStoffice. 1t was
written by a woman who said she ad-
mired and loved him and hoped he
would not Judge her too harshly for
her plain statement of fact He might
never Ie to know the writer, but
g.. .. treasure it in his heart that
s...e. woman at least held him above al!
other mea in the world.
Abraham scratched his ear and grin
ned.
"Who the devil can it be-" Abraham
kept repeating to himself as he work
ed about the mill. but wondering and
guessing didn't bring the solution.
That evening he didn't appear at the
drug store TO play checkers. He re-
manned at home to read that letter over
and over and try for clew. OF course
no married woman had written him
thus, and as he was forty years old
and made no secret of it the marriage
able girls in town would pass him by.
Its some one giving me JOSH" was
-Abraham's conclusion as he quit specu-
lating and went off to bed and to sleep
On the third day thereafter he re-
ceived another letter from the same
person. IL N.ds also full Uf dGmiring
terms. 1t was not likely they would
ever meet, the unknown wrote, but she
was strangely and strongly interested
in his welfare
As q bachelor. he must live a more
or less lonely life.
As a husband. he would have a COM
rade and companionship.
As a boarder. as he had been for
years and was yet. he knew nothing
whatever Of the comforts of a home.
1t was hoped he would give the sub
ject all due consideration and, in case
he decided 10 enter the bonds of matri-
mOny. might be take to the altar such
a bride as Il good man deserved.
by thunder. but that's a darn good
woman, whoever she is"' exclaimed
Abraham rs he read the letter.
After ten minutes he read it again
and unused:
WHO can it he? Who can it be?''
Say. old man, you must have heard
some bad news" was the greeting he
got from "A dozen friends in the next
three days.
What makes you think SO?'
"Why. your face is as long as a
camel's and you We're going right past
without speaking,"
1t WAS almost Il week before another
letter came Same handwriting-sam
womanly interest il his welfare
''And has II ever occurred TO you"
was one Of the paragraphs in the let
Ter. that a man situated as you are is
selfish not TO marry: 1t would relieve
at least one woman from her cares
and struggles. 1t would add one more
household 10 the many"
by John. but I'd propose to that wo-
man III q holy minute if knew who
she was" exclaimed Abraham, and
when he reflected that he didn't know
and bad no way of finding out he
wanted to kick over chairs and call his
dog names.
Five hundred people day called at
the postofice. How could they all be
watched?
AbT2iia ~ mad no Intimate man friend
to 80 - with the letters.
He had strong admiration and Xix
ing for the woman. no matter whether
she was an old maid or q widow. but
how was she to know it? How was he
10 find her and tell her so:
The old bach received a fourth let
md then a plan popped into his
The postmistress had held her
FOR five years She must know
- 80 -, riting Of scores and scores
= - Why hadn't he thought of
it before! -
A. midforenoon Abraham left his
mill and walked to the postofiice and
entered with firm step,and handed one
of the envelopes TO the postcnistress at
fine general delivery window and asked:
oCan YOU tell me. please. if you rec
. ognize that handE
slT7m nm. ah-um"' she stammered as
q blush came to her check.
.say. by cracky, Mrs. Dayton, you
are a wilder" almost shouted the