The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1915-02-26
A LITTLE STRATEGY
BY DONALD ALLEN.

why, Susan, am surprised"
81 don't see why, Amanda"
You have been a widow for three
years.
yes"
"You are only thirty-eight years
Old
That's ALL"
And you own this house and lots
of money in the bank"
"WeIl?"
well, when you tell me that there
is no man shining up to you I must
wonder what sort of 4 male popula-
ton you have got around here"
1t was Mrs. Amanda Baker, a mar.
ried sister, who had come on a visit
to the Widow Spicer
Nothing more was said on the sub.
ject until two or three days later.
Susie, who is Mr.. Atkinson?" Mrs.
Baker asked one evening.
why, he keeps a dry goods store"
Yes, | know. l was in there. He
is a fine-looking man.
"Yes?'
Something tells me he is a wild.
over"
Il believe so''
You believe so? Why, you know
he is. Do you do your shopping
there?"
Sometimes"
! What kind of housekeeper has he
got?"
AN old maid sister, older than ne
| is"
And I'll bet she can't cook for
| shucks, and she makes his bed with
| the foot the highest. Susan, there is
a widower that needs the care of a
good wife"
Il think he could have his pick
among half a dozen"
But you don't size him up right.
He is bashful and diffdent I'll bet
his wife had to do the proposing He
realizes the need of wife, but that
he must go through the courtship
again scares him to death"
"rhe poor mani"
Something tells me, sister, that he
has thought of you"
IF he has he has kept very quiet
about lit"
Il told you ne was basnful When
he proposes It will be very sudden
and through excitement. Ny Peter
is just such a man"
Sister" asked the widow, what
are you driving att"
Il want you to do as tell you From
$50 to this evening you will be in
your boat just below the foot bridge
"WelI?"
If anyone falls off the bridge res
cue him"
, But how can anyone"
You never mind that, but do as
, | tell you. There is such a thing as
! diplomacy, but you are too big a goose
TO practice il. Get the saw and leave
it at the front door, and don't you
a attempt to spy on me and see what
use l make of it"
p. 1t was in vain that the widow be
r. seeched further information, but she
y, stuck to her promise 10 be on the river
: with the boat. Her sister took up the
saw and made off as soon as dusl
r descended, and where she went Of
r. what she did was only TO be guessed
l. at.
1 At six O'Clock footsteps were heard
on the bridge So was something
- elsa crash-a yell and splash. anC
next moment the boatman was crying
II out:
II Catch hold of the skiff and I viii
II tow you ashore!"
H When the shore was reached Their
II stood Mrs. Baker, who took shar
H look at the wet and scared man.
II Who you got here?" she asked.
II Mr.. Saxon, the cooper"
Hi You old fool, why did you intel
fere!" was exclaimed. You get alon
Il with you or I'll throw you back t
II drowni"
II 1t was in vain that the widow aske
for explanations. The sister was sti
silent and sulky when a knock cam
at the door, and in walked Mr.. Atkil
II son. He was much excited. and
II stammered as he addressed the widoy
H IF | hadn't been detained ten mil
H utes l should have been the one
H go through the bridge. | cannot swil
II a stroke, but you would have bee
H there to save me- l want to than
II you just as if you had saved m
II and"
II And the elder sister sneaked out
II the room.
III copyright 1914. by the Mcclure NeWsp
III per SVndicate0