The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-08-20
EVENING STORY
A Woman Lawyer.
(By Henry Waldron.}


Widow Burns as moderately well off |
and having a daughter who was very |
plain-faced and very bad tempered. 1
The widow also was spoken of az I
being an obstinate woman and very
commanding. When she wanted a |
mudhole in the street in front of her |
house filled up she commanded the |
town authorities to do it, and the nuis- |
ance vanished or there was a row.
When the town wanted a foorbridge i
over Mill creek, behind her house. to |
accommO date a score of Worklngmen. |
she said those sons of toll could either |
wade the creek or take the long way |
around, and they are taking that way |
yet.
The town bought a site for a new
schoolhouse. The new building would
cut off the widows view of the mill
pond, and she threatened injunctions
and lawsuits until the site was
changed.
When the good wife of Jonas Rich
ards died some gossip that had been
buried for twenty years was revived.
The Widow Burns, as girl was en-
gagged to Jonas Richards, as a young
aration, and each found and married
new love. Now that death had
freed them the gossips were ready to
whisper:
THE Widow Burns has got her
chance now:'
But she and Mr.. Richards haven't
spoken in ali these years" was replied.
Wasn't she at the funeral?"
Yes but Yes, she was there,
and 1 saw her pretending to wipe
away a tear and to feel very bad"
And doesn't that show she is up to
something"
But she probably wanted to see
who was there
More likely she wanted him to see
that she was there"
"And-and you think she will catch
him?'
IF he doesn't run away
Mr.. Richards had only one child-a
daughter, Nellie, eighteen years old
Between her and the widows daugh
ter, Vic, there was feud, as matter
OF course. With the young men of
the town it was between a pretty face
and a plain one, with the usual re-
suits.
Up to the time Mr.. Richards became
a widower Vio's mother had very few
words of consolation for her when she
lost beau, but later on she one day
said to her:
THAT Richards girl may have a
stepmother>some day to bring her to
time"
you don't think her father will
ever marry again?' was queried.
1T wouldn't surprise me-"
But who could it be?"
Never you mind"
why, mother, you must know
"oh, 1 hear about all that's going
on, ! guess
But how would step-mother
bring Nellie Richard to time, as you
shed put her to work in the
kitchen"
"Goodr
while
Good again, She brags that she
xi- 81 in
town.
l. SIS it true that she is -nga ged to
Frank Haskell asked the mother.
Yes, they say So
And when is the marriage to come
Off"
There's no date set He is waiting
for an estate to be settled up"
The step-mother might forbid him
the house.
But her father"
"Oh, he would do just as he was
told by his new wife, even. to locking
the girl up if she made too much
fuss"
And she would have 20 live here
and do all the housework?'
Yes"
And I could snub her ali 1 wanted
tor
You could, dear
GLORY, glory. but won't 1 pay her
back: Mother, how soon will you and
l.
.Um! UNI. You mustn't ask such q
question:"
But I'm in a hurry tc begin the
| snubbing!"
Not a word of this tC anybody,
| daughter. I'm rather expecting Mr..
Richards to ask me very soon to be
| his wife, and of course 1 shall say yes
! and name an early date"
| And Nellie won't know a thing
about it?''
| hofS TO
] young Haskell the house, and do it
| tonight. I made it very strong that he
| should do so. Wen see how she takes
| that as starter. 1t will be guide to
me to know how to handle her"
! How the wiles of the Widow Burns
/ healed the long-standing quarrel
| how the widower was drawn to her
how he was influenced by her. tho
| he had not proposed marriage-need
| not be told. Suffice it that one eve
ming he said to his daughter:
/ 1T have changed my mind about
| Frank Haskell"
why what do you mean, father"
was asked
| He is not to come here any more.
and neither are you to mee- him any,
| where
But we are engaged
you must break it."
Il must have good reasons to-
ut is enough that l say So
There were no threats. The next
day Nellie Richards met Frank Has
kell on the street, and as they walked
she told him what had occurred.
1T is the doings of the Widow
| Burns" he replied. 'It is more than
whispered that your father and she
are to be married in a few weeks. We
| must do something"
| There was woman passing her va
| cation in Hanley. and it was under
| stood that she was a lawyer. Young
! Haskell secured an interview with her
to ask if she were a member of the
/ profession and to add:
IT want some legal advice. A widow
| is after my scalp because I preferred
another girl to her daughter"