Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1918-04-19
Two Widowcrs
BY CHARLES POWERS BANNoN
copyright. 1918. Western Newspaper Union,


distinctive features of village life in
Brocton. At forty they found them
selves widowers. This naturally brought
them together in sort of brotherly
companionship. Each hired a man to
run his farm. In a measure, having
enough to keep them, both retired"
There was small hotel in the town,
rates were cheap for regular guests,
and they managed to live comfortably.
I've worked hard for twenty years,
and now I'm going to take a rest and
enjoy myself" declared Mark.
That's the ticket! Well show the
town how to have good time," echoed
David.
But elegant leisure soon ceased to
appeal to the two cronies. Plain, reg
ular meals, an early-to-bed system,
corn-cob pipes and attire easy to don
and doff had placed them in a rut.
Luxury don't pay, and there's moth
ing to It," voiced Mark.
mo more riotous living for me-"
added David. All day long they sat
hotel, lolling in arm chairs, incessant-
ly smoking their pipes and chatting
and gossiping with the idle ones Of
the town.
At the other end of the village lived
two twin old maid sisters, Miss
Dorcas and Miss Ruth Jennison.
They were true ladies in the best sense
Of the word, neither whimsical nor
fidgety and good looking and still I'M
faded, for all their thirty years. At
one time the widowers made 1t point
to call about once a month on these
ladies, with alleged matrimonial intent.
Mark was all but engaged to Miss
Ruth, and David was seriously think
ing Of popping the question to Miss
Dorcas.
Gradually the cronies drifted away
from their customary call. Then the
first really presentable suits of clothes
they had ever invested in began
to wear out No marvel was this,
for they wore them all of the time and
they never had them patched or press
ed, and they gave slovenly, seedy ap-
pearance to their wearers.
"Why don't you tog up new, and look
like something's" friend challenged
Mark one day.
"We don't have to-fellows like us,
who could buy out half the town If we
wanted to-" and there was an indie
pendent tinge of pride in tone and
mien.
Then came a change. There arrived
at Brocton lady who announced that
she might possibly settle down in the
town. She was Mrs. Aurelia Wander
bilt, widow. Now, this newcomer,
plump, really pretty, fashionably at
tired and with witching eyes and
charming manner, instantly became an
object Of general interest to all. Mark
Wells had an eye for beauty and Da-
vid as well. and they mutually voted
Mrs Vanderbilt sumner. Imagine
their satisfaction, when one day the
hotel proprietor Informed them that
Mrs. Vanderbilt desired to see them in
the hotel parlor.
Mrs. Vanderbilt greeted them with
smiles and condescension. She as
sumed the timidity and embarrassment
Of friendless young being seeking ad-
vice and aid.
"They tell me you gentlemen are
fully familiar with the value of every
piece of real estate in the county," she
said 81 want your assistance, If you
will grant it. You can be Of great help
to me, for wish to find site for
summer hotel in which l have decided
to invest some of my capital"
And now began brilliant career for
the two dazzled cronies. They became
her devoted slaves. One day Mark
drove her by wagon SO miles to look
over prospective sites. David, to Guido
him, hired an automobile and had her
sole company for a whole day. At
once each went to the village tailor
and ordered the best suit of clothes
available. Even to silk hats and kid
gloves they did the thing complete.
Two weeks went by, and then one
morning the hotel proprietor came hur-
riedly to the room of the two widow
ers. "She's slopped!" he burst forth.
"She managed to smuggle out every
thing but an empty trunk. There's an
unpaid bill Of one hundred dollars
and"
'sYou don't mean Mrs. vanderbilt?"
gasped Mark.
81 do, and a detective was here look
ing for her."
"My five hundred dollars" groaned
David, collapsing.
"Is that all?" quavered Mark. "She
borrowed thousand from me-"
1t took full week for the two de-
luded investors to realize that they had
been mercilessly swindled. Mrs. Van
derbilt had excited their cupidity by
detailing how rich their share In the
summer hotel was to make them.
"See here, Mark, observed David one
day, sits shame to think that we've
wasted our money on those expensive
suits of clothes and all that