The Washington herald., 1914-07-21

1t does read like the solemn truth" ex-
claimed the Widow Baker as she read
and reread II.
The number Of callers she had in the
next three days equaled the number Of
women in the town. with a few men
thrown in for good measure. Each one
congratulated her and hoped she would
return their call right soon, and each
one went away with envy in their heart.
They felt that she had somehow wronged
them in meeting with good luck.
The minister was one of the men that
called, and almost the first thing he said
was: "well, Sister Baker. you can now
donate enough cash to pay for the paint
ing and repairing of the meeting house.
and IL you feel like doing anything for
the heather now Is your opportunity
Deacon Gordon came in rather slyly'
and his tone was confidential as be said:
Look out for them darned Wall street
sharks
Yes, deacon"
And silver mines"
Yes
"And don't donate a DUN cent to the
church"
No"
Nor to the dunn heathen."
No"
But lend it all to me on per cent in
terest."
Il will see about it
The editor had figured on calls from
widowers outside the town, and he was
right. Indeed, there was but one eligible
one in the village. and he called around
to say to the Widow Baker: Say. wild
der, why in thunder didn't you let a body
know"
why. how could I?' she replied
You orter 10 have done ii. you had.
allus thought mighty well Of you. but
was told you had made up your mind not
TO marry again. II was only last Sunday
night that / asked the Widder White II
she would have me, and she said she
would. and now IL I back out she sue
me for breach Of what-dO-you-call-it.
Yes. widowers came from various parts
Of the county and from further away.
There was no other class TO come 1Ouhs
men did not want a middle-aGed wlte'
and the old bachelors did not want any at
all. Nothing was said in the newspaper
article about Mrs. Bakers personal ap-
pearance. and for some reason every
widower that called expected to see
sprightly, good-lOOking woman. There
fore. when the bumped up against
the real thing there was surprise par
". With most Of the callers II went
like this:
Baker,
Yes. sir"
can l speak to you for minute?
You can. sir Walk in and take
chair. Fine weather we are having.
Not until she had seated herself did
the caller get a good look at ner, ana
then he left the house without a word
or had the courage to ask II her house
was troubled with rats. There was
$50 600 there. But it didn't look like
20 cents to them. There were others
who would remain for awhile and say;
"widder. il you had a husband you
would trust him l take it?'
Il trusted my other.
And you'd have confidence in his
! Judgment"
Very likely"
That is right. You'd hgger that
your husband could handle them
twenty thousand better than you
could. wouldn't you?'
L might, after three or four years.
Yes. see My wife always left
everything to me. She was glad to DO
So
Il have heard that some wives were
that way"
We'll widder. may call agin This is
matter that requires darned serious
thought
Il agree with you
The dozenth widower called on the
editor instead of the widow. and he SAID
You must know this Widow Baker,
Sure"
Nice woman
she is that
'How's her looks?'
shes as homely as a rams horn
Good How about her shape?
Hasn't got any more than bag OF
potatoes, and is lame besides.
Good worker?
Cant be beat
81 want a wife, but them $4,000 keeps
me away I'm a plain, everyday far-
MGR and that money would always be
raising a row. II she hadn't dollar Ia
go and see her.
GO right along" replied the editor
THAT $4,000 is all in your eye.
You don't mean it?'
Hasn't got a dollar to her name!
Good, I've had two wives. and ooth
ran away with tin peddlers. l want some
thing this time that will scare them on.
He got il. and in a very unconventional
wsy- but all reports are to the erect
that they are living happily together
and even that Cupid has been seen ny