The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1915-02-18
4 LITTLE STRATEGY
BY DONALD ALLEN.

Why, Susan, | am surprised"
Il 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"
"Well?"
We'll, when you tell me that there
is no man shining up to you l must
wonder what sort of 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. | was In there. He
Is a fine-looking man."
"Yes?"
Something tells me he Is q 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 he
is"
And I'll bet she can't cook for
shucks, and she makes his bed with
the foot the highest. Susan, there is
widower that needs the care of a
good wife"
81 think he could have his pick
among half a dozen"
But you don't size him up right.
He is bashful and diffident. I'll bet
his wife had to do the proposing. He
realizes the need of a wife, but that
he must go through the courtship
again scares him to death"
THE poor mani"
Something tells me, sister, that he
has thought of you"
IF he has he has kept very quiet
about it,"
Il told you he was bashful. When
he proposes il will be very sudden
and through excitement. My Peter
Is Just such a man"
Sister" asked the widow, what
are you driving att"
81 want you to do as tell you. From
$3.50 to 6 this evening you will be in
your boat just below the foot bridge
"Well?"
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 goose
to practice it. Get the saw and leave
1t at the front door, and don't you
attempt to spy on me and see what
use make of it."
It was in vain that the widow be
seeched further information, but she
stuck to her promise to be on the river
with the boat. Her sister took up the
saw and made off as soon as dusk
descended, and where she went OF
what she did was only to be guessed
at
At six o'clock footsteps were heard
on the bridge. So was something
elsa crash-a yell and splash, ant
, next moment the boatman was crying
out:
!, Catch hold of the skiff and I will
, tow you ashore!"
When the shore was reached there
stood Mrs. Baker, who took a sharl
look at the wet and scared man.
"Who you got here?" she asked.
"Mr. Saxon, the cooper"
you old fool, why did you inter
fere!" was exclaimed. you get alon,
with you or I'll throw you back t.
drown!"
: 1t was in vain that the widow asked
l for explanations. The sister was still
: silent and sulky when knock cam'
at the door, and in walked Mr.. Atkin
! son. He was much excited, and b,
stammered as he addressed the widow
8 IF / hadn't been detained ten min
$ utes / should have been the one t
q 20 through the bridge. l cannot swim
stroke, but you would have bee
9 there to save me. l want to thanl
/ you Just as if you had saved me
and"
e And the elder sister sneaked out o
: the room.
Copyright, 1914, by the Mcclure Newspa
per Syndicate)