South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-11-18

II wasn't a circus or "a Buffalo
Bill snow that was coming over the
bin into the village Of Liverpool. 10
sec which so or Go people had
gathered. IL was simply and solely
he Widow skinner. for the widow
had bought the house and lot Of
Seth Travers and was moving over
from Rockford
None OF the Liverpool folks had
seen Mrs. Skinner yet. but most Of
them had heard OF her. She had
been described a. both an angel and
viragO-as tall and as shOrt-as
peacemaker and as a trouble
maker. IL had come pretty straight
that Rockford had been glad 10 get
rid OF her but whether IL was be
cause she was too good or too bad
had not been definitely settled.
And the crowd had gathered I'm
front OF the Traver's house. and the
widow was at hand with her bag
and baggage A mystery that had
troubled the village for two weeks
was about 20 be solved.
Squire Lapham was the father of
the town. II vas for him 10 well
hands with all who moved away.
He had on his Sunday suit on this
occasion. and he was on the ground
early. II was for him 20 boss. and
for the others to obey. The widow
drove two skeleton horses attached
TO a rickety old wagon, and within.
the vehicle were her household
treasures
Hitched 20 the rear Of the wagon
was bony COW. and at her heels,
grunting their disgust, came three
hogs. as thin am as Old-fashioned
hOOp-skirt. The boys were nine and
- years OF age. respectively.
stand back, Everybody stand
back" shouted the squire, as the
wagon came to a halt Are you
goin' 10 tell me that YOU never saw
a wilder woman before
why. she's as homeIy as a cab
bage head" exclaimed one.
And shes as tall as mani"
sasped number two.
Look at them crowbaits Of
hossesi" calculated d third.
Madam said the squire. as he
stepped forward and raised his
Greedy hat, lit is my happy priv
ilege 10 bid you welcome to our
charming village"
The Widow Skinner looked that
crowd over for a minute and then
got down and said:
ct want no blarney from YOU or
any Of the rest of EN-. Go on with
YOU"
PINT nv GOOD woman, --'t
But she went through the crowd,
scowling right and left. until all
went away. except Elder BiXby. who
stood leaning against the fence with
60 smile on his face
He was about to receive kick
when the widow withheld her foot,
and said:
Take of your coat and help me
=et the stove and bureau out Of
the wagon"
"Yes. ma'am."
Elder Bixby was a widower "a
years old. His wife had been dead
seven years. and he was perfectly
satisfied with the situation. He
would not cross the street 10 see the
Widow skinner or any other widow
tie helped To unload the wagon and
carry the things in. and when he
put ON his coat the woman thanked
him. and added:
II kinder suspect YOU are "A
widower?"
Yes"
And I'm a wldder. Drop in now
and then. 1 shant bite you"
The widow settled her house in
-Fn
sons began 10 stand the town Of
Liverpool on its head. The boys
broke window glass. got up dog
tights. stoned cats and fought every
boy that could not outrun them. The
cow and the horses and the hogs
were turned loose In the streets to
get their living as best they could.
and they preferred the vegeta BILE
gardens and lawns TO the roadsides.
Squire Lapham had never been
~nubbed by mortal man or woman
before. and his surprise was so
great that he hardly spoke 10 any
one outside his family for two weeks.
Then he suddenly reused up and
asked Stephen Brewster:
steve. the law won't stand it
no. by thunder. Il won't. That
wilder and her boys have got to
behave themselves or they'll have
trouble on their hands."
And within two hours the widow
kilIed three chickens which had
strayed into her yard. and said to
the village cooper. who was the
owner OF them.
IF YOU don't keep your old hens
a. home I'll Kill and eat every one
or emit
And when the cooper threatened
- have the law barrel her up she
seized him 10y his auburn side whis-
kers and hacked him up against
the fence and bumped his head until
he saw stars.
Elder Bixby and Parson Turner
were about the only men in the
eiIIage after three months who were
not I'm favor Of heroic action As
TOR the women. there We're out
~poken threats of tar and feathers
cider Bixby was an occasional