The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1918-12-21
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
!. A WOMAN LAWYER .
sy HENRY wALoRoN.

n Oy HENRY WALoRoN. -
VAhAAahAannnV
The town Of Hanley knew the Wild
ow Burns as moderately well on and
having daughter who was very plain
faced and very bad tempered.
The widow also was spoken Of as
being nm obstinate woman and very
commanding. When she wanted
mudhole In the street In front Of her
house filled up she commanded the
town authorities to do 1t, and the NUS
ance vanished or there was row.
When the town wanted a footbridge
over Mill creek, behind her house, to
accommodate a score of workingmen.
she said those sons Of toll could either
wade the creek or take the long why
around. and they are taking that way
yet.
The town bought q site for q new
schoolhouse. The new building would
cut of 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, a. girl, was en-
gagged to Jonas Richards, a. young
man. They had q quarrel and sep
aration, and each found and married a
new love. Now that death had freed
them the gossips were ready to whis-
per.
Mr.. Richards had only one child-a
daughter. Nellie. eighteen years old.
Between her and the widows daugh-
ter. Vic. there was a feud. a. a matter
Of course. With the young men Of the
town 1t was between pretty face and
a plain one, with the usual results.
Up to the time Mr.. Richards became
a widower vio's mother had very few
words Of consolation for her when she
lost q beau. but later on she one day
said to her:
THAT Richards girl may have
stepmother some day to bring her to
time"
"You don't think her father will
ever marry againr' was quened.
TT wouldn't surprise me-"
"But who could It bel"
"Never you mind"
"Why, mother. you must know aome-
thing!"
rs 1t true that she IL engaged to
Frank HASKELL" asked the mother.
eyes they say 10"
"And when 10 the marriage to come
OFT"
There's no date net. He is waiting
for an estate to be settled up"
THE step-mother might forbid him
the house."
"But her fatherf"
"Oh. he would do Just as he was
told by his new wife, even to locking
the girl up II she made too much fuss.
Not word Of this to anybody. daugh-
ter. I'm rather expecting Mr.. Rich
ards to ask me very soon to be his
wife. and of course I shall say yes
and name an early date"
How the wiles Of the Widow Burns
healed the long-standing quarrel-how
the widower was drawn to her-how
he wns Influenced by her, though he
had not proposed marriaye-need not
be told. Sufice 1t that one evening he
said to his daughter:
II have changed my mind about
Frank HASKELL"
"Why. what do you mean, fatheri"
was asked.
"He Is not to come here any more.
and neither are you to meet him any
where"
But we are engaged"
"You must break It"
II must have good reasons to-"
ut Is enough that say So"
There were no threats. The next
day Nellie Richards met Frank Has
kell on the street. and as they walked
she tod him what had occurred.
ut Is the doings Of the Widow
Burns" he replied. ut IL more than
whispered that your father and she
are to be married in q few weeks. We
must do something"
There was woman passing her va
cation In Hanley, and 1t was under
stood that she was q lawyer. Young
Haskell secured an interview with her
to ask II she were a member Of the
profession and to add:
II want some legal advice. am
engaged to girl whose father has
turned me outdoors"
ut Is not the first case Of the kind"
"She Is willing to elope with me-"
"Well, why don't you do III"
because she II only eighteen, and