The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1914-10-24
. OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES,
The WIDOW FUNNEL
BY j. c. PLuMMER.

soeeeeeeeoeeeeeeoesseoeeeS
With the companion slide closed and
with an air of mystery on their
bronzed countenances, Captain Drake
and his mate, Mr.. Simpson, peered at
a piece Of paper that lay on the cabin
table alongside of canvas bag. The
document contained the following
words:
barbados, June 10, 18-. Being
sound in my rigging, but badly stove
as to my hull, and going to pieces,
John Funnel. of the brig ibis, leave
to my friends Abel Drake, master of
the schooner Patty Clay, and Job
Simpson, mate of the same craft, the
sum OF $500 III gold. the same to be
held III trust by them for one year. If
my wife, Mary Funnel, mourns my
death and does not marry within that
time, the money is to go to her. If
she does marry within a year the $500
IS to be divided between the trustees.
My wife is to know nothing of the
trust
JOHN FUNNELL.
Ten months gone, and she's no
nearer marryin' than she was the
day after Funnell died." complained
Captain Drake.
Good-looking woman. too. and a
thousand dollars insurance money.
mused the mate. What's the matter
with the men, I'd like to know"
There's old Pete Jobson,' rumina-
ted the skipper. Hes a widower, and
all women take to widowers. I'll take
him up this very night
When the skipper returned Just be-
fore midnight, the mate asked anxious
~ how Peter had acted.
Never had such time,'' grumbled
the captain. Peter and the widow
sat and talked about their dead hus-
band and wife, and cried like two rain
spouts. # 1t hadn't been for old Mrs.
Quigley, I'd have foundered sure"
Who's Mrs. Quigley7" asked Mr..
Simpson.
An old aunt of Mrs, Funnelps," re-
Piled the skipper, turning In.
Things are Frightening" cried the
skipper, two days later, as he saw from
the deck of The schooner Mr. Jobson
vending his way uptown. ..I'Il bet he's
goin' to call on the widow. III walk
up the street and see
He returned In half an hour iubilant.
He had on his long-tafled coat, and
he furled his sails as soon as he came
to the widows house. and bore into
the door," he cried. = believe the
moneys ours. Job.
Then one morning Peter Jobsora,
master stevedore, started In to load
the Patty Clay with -four and general
cargo.
Il saw you last night at the Sea-
mans Bethel with Widow Funnel and
her aunt" said Captain Drake.
Yes" replied Mr.. Jobson. solemnly
She's a very fine Christian woman"
Finally the matches of the schooner
were battened down and Captain
Drake was about TO go TO the custom
house to clear her.
"Good-by. captain" said Mr. Jobsons
feelingly I'm obleeged to you"
What for?" inquired the skipper.
For takin' me to see Widow Fun
nell,' explained the old man. 81 read
In the Good Book that it's not good for
man to be alone"
''Well?'' said the skipper, shuddering
with eagerness.
Tn goin to marry again. .
THE widow" gasped the delighted
skipper.
Surely; a month from yesterday
Captain Drake vau1ted over the rail
of the schooner like deer and tum-
bled into the cabin.
It's all right, job he painted.
Peters going to marry the widow a
month from yesterday
The two trustees spent SO for q
gaudily covered lounge, which they
ordered sent to the bride-to-be's house
just Is days from date Of purchase
date, accompanied with their card.
Just SO days had elapsed when the
Patty Clay passed In the capes on her
return voyage from Porto Rico, and
when the pilot came ON board Captain
Drake asked If Pete Jobson was well.
Married his second wife, said tho
pilot, grinning. "A widow, too
When the schooner tied up at the
wharf the two trustees beheld Mr.. Pc
ter Jobson calmly experimenting the
unloading Of bark, and the exuberant
skipper leaped ashore.
Congratulate you, Pete, said he,
Wrfnging the old stevedore's hand.
Thank you and Mr.. Simpson for tho
furnitoor." responded Mr.. Jobson.
You got a good woman, Pete said
the skipper. She made Funnell good
wife
"Funnell.' repeated Mr.. Jobson. 4
didn't marry Mrs. Funnell married
her aunt, Widow Quigley.'
(Copyright.}