Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1914-11-27
A WIDOW FROM AFFAIR.
Concerning the Love Affairs OF a
Father and His Son.
sy GRACE KERRI6AN.

is a stranger in the county il Is more
than an event. II the buyer is a wild
ow who has come all the way from
Kansas to buy a farm in Ohio, II Is
an event outranking a cyclone In which
20 barns are overturned.
Yes, James Sheldon had sold his
farm.
He had sold 1t for cash down.
He had got his price for 1t.
Yes, he had sold 1t to widow from
Kansas.
Yes, she was going to farm 1t her
self.
Yes, she thought she knew her busi-
ness.
The Ingham County Sun gave
these particulars, and 1t was a coun'
ty paper to be depended on. 1t had
never predicted the coming of the
grasshopper or the tater bug but that
the insects showed up on time. True,
the Sun, while on the subject. might
have stated whether the Widow Oar
row would get married again II she
had good chance, and whether she
was homely or handsome, but 1t was
silent on those points.
Farmer Sheldon moved out and the
Widow Darrow moved In.
The day she moved in about fifty
people passed the farmhouse. The OBJ
1ect OF each and every one was to
catch sight Of her, though every last
one Of them had seen widows by the
dozen.
The farm adjoining on the west be-
longed to Joab Waycroft, a widower
with one son. His name was Moses,
and he had hinted around that he
should marry soon after his majority,
II he could find the right party. His
father was not quite fifty yet, and
though he had thrown out no hints he
intended to double up again when
chance came his way.
or course the Sheldons had told the
Waycrofts that they were going to
sell. but they could tell nothing about
the widow. as she had bought through
an agent, and was not to arrive until
a certain date. The evening previous
to the date Mr.. Waycroft carelessly
remarked to his son: $50 the widder
arrives tomorrer"
Yep" was the reply.
Il wonder what timer
She'll be In Medina on the early
train. and by the time she drives ou
here II will be ten o'clock"
You seem to know hull lot abou
It. Moses"
"Ain't 1t my duty to keep track o
the widders?"
Don't be a fool!"
After this admonition there was q
lence for five minutes.
she comes as a stranger and
s'pose ] orter go over there and bi
her welcome TO our midst" the fathe
said.
"oh. there1l be at least doze
there"
who said so?"
I've heard 'em say so, and sha
be one Of EN-"
What In punk you goin' fur?"
TO take her by the hand and we
come her. OF course. That's onl
manners. We don't want her to thin
we are couple OF heathen."
Moses. run this farm!"
you do. dad"
"And this house!"
"Yep."
And our manners!"
mot disputed"
ITS for me. as head OF the hous
to go over there and welcome Il
Wilder as n naybur, and for you
finish hoeing that patch OF corn"
But you orter put a new hand
in that hoe" protested Moses.
Never you mind about me, but
AZ tell you"
Il wanted TO see her the first thIl
and warn her agln some OF tho O
widowers around here who are HI
crazy to marry anything that com
along"
Moses. do you mean me?"
"Of course not. dad. You are melt
er old nor would you marry agaI
even II princess offered herself"
We'll. you had best be a little mo
careful OF your words"
Nothing further was said that mis-
nor until after breakfast next mo-
ing. Then the father observed;
s'pose others will be there, and n
better wear my Sunday suit"
For sure. dad. You'll probal
have quite a talk with her. WIN ,
mention met"
what forY''
why. tell her your son will :
soon"
you may not call for a year.
the chores done up and then 10
that corn"
Farmer waycroft had an no,
work yet TO do before he could le
the house He had been 10 tho
lage couple Of days before and ,
chased q bottle Of hair dye. 4
must 70 on to his gray whiskera
knock nve years on his age. IN
was an odor Of bad eggs and sulpl
but the farmer stood II for the :
OF results. When the Job was
ished and he surveyed himself In
glass ho smiled and nodded.
Moses will notice II, OF cou
but III tell him that upset a bC