Don Gutteridge - The Widow's Demise

Unbeknownst to Marc and his associates, threesuch voters were, just before noon, arranging to go to the poll, aten-mile journey from their farms. Their names were Seth Green,Calvin Powell and Arnold Crow. They lived side by side, and hadjust helped each other clear their fields of corn. It was Green whopersuaded his neighbours they had a duty to vote. The method oftransportation they chose was Green’s hay wagon, drawn by his pairof Percherons, a slow but reliable means of getting to Danby’sCrossing. As there was room for only one man on the driver’s box,the other two had to content themselves with sitting in the back ofthe wagon, with only some potato sacking between them and theterrific jouncing they had to suffer as they made their way downthe concession line towards Yonge Street. Green, however, was asfair as he was friendly, and kindly offered to let Powell and Crowtake turns in the driver’s seat. They arrived at Yonge Streetwithout incident and turned southward. It was hot in the noondaysun, and when they came to Murphy’s Tavern, Green suggested theystop for a draught of ale to quench their thirst. His suggestionwas taken up happily by the other two.

They entered the tavern to discover it washalf full of customers, even so early in the day. The clink oftankards and glasses and the whorls of wafted smoke met them headon.

“Looks like a lively spot,” Crow said.

“Murphy serves a good ale,” Powell said.

They bellied up to the bar and ordered aflagon apiece.

“There’s an empty table over there by thepiano,” Green said, and the three farmers headed over to it.

“Down the hatch!” Powell said, tipping hisflagon to his lips.

The men drank thirstily.

“How about one more?” Crow said.

“The poll doesn’t close until sixo’clock.”

“Splendid idea,” Green said.

“What do you think of this murder business?”Crow said after a while.

“A strange business all ‘round” Green said.“This Frenchman, Gagnon, comes to Toronto for two weeks and getshimself thrown in jail for killin’ the Attorney-General’s daughter.He must be crazy. That’s the only explanation.”

“I hear he claims he’s innocent,” Powellsaid.

“He was caught with a vial of acid in hishand, standin’ over the dead body.” Crow said.

“Some innocence,” Green said.

“I don’t see how Louis LaFontaine could keepsuch a fellow close at hand.”

“And trust him,” Crow added.

“Frenchmen are not like us,” Powell said.“They do strange things for strange reasons.”

“But I trust Robert Baldwin,” Green said. “Ifhe says he needs Louis LaFontaine in Parliament, then I’m willin’to go along with him.”

At this point the three men took out theirclay pipes and lit them. They were puffing peacefully when astranger stepped up to their table and said, “Good afternoon. Myname’s D’Arcy Rutherford. Are you gents headed for the poll by anychance?”

“That we are,” said Green.

“I trust you’re going to vote Reform,”Rutherford said, smiling benignly.

“Never voted any other way,” Crow said.

“Would you let a fellow Reformer buy you anale?”

“Golly, we’ve had two already,” Crowsaid.

“You’ve got plenty of time. And in a whilethe day will cool off, and you’ll have a more comfortable run downto Danby’s Crossing.”

“That’s mighty kind of you, sir,” Green said.“We’d be pleased to join you in a round.”

“I’ll get the barkeep,” Rutherford said.

Rutherford ordered the round, and sat downwith the three farmers. They drank and talked politics for half anhour. The room grew smokier, hazier. Another round was ordered.

At this point Rutherford rose, shook handswith the trio, and left.

“Nice fellow,” said Green.

“I’m feeling no pain,” Powell said.

“We should really be going,” Crow said.

“Going where?”

The question came in the form of a femalevoice. The men looked up to see two women standing before them. Onewas a dusty blonde with a buxom figure partially exposed in heropen blouse. The other had curly locks assisted liberally by theapplication of henna. Both wore broad smiles. Even through thesmoke-haze, they were immensely attractive.

“You’re not in that much of a hurry, areyou?” said the blonde.

“We got to vote today,” Green said.

“But we just got here,” said henna-locks,“and we’re parched, aren’t we, Glenna?”

“I could wet my whistle, Gert,” Glenna said,“if there was a gentleman here who could buy a lady a drink.”

“I’m Gert,” said Gert. “And this is Glenna.May we sit down?”

“By all means,” said Green.

“I’ll get you some chairs,” said Crow,lurching to his feet. He stumbled to the next empty table and slidtwo chairs up to his own table. The woman sat down with a flourishof movements designed to exhibit the more attractive parts of heranatomy.

“I’ll have a glass of claret,” said Gert.

“The same for me,” said Glenna.

Powell went over to the bar to fetch theirdrinks, a little unsteady on his feet.

“You ladies from around here?” Crowasked.

“We live near Danby’s Crossing” Gert said.“Where’re you from?”

“We’re from the township, about six mileswest of here. We’re farmers,” said Green.

“I never would’ve guessed it,” Glenna gushed.“You look like regular gentlemen to me. Gentlemen who know how totreat a lady.”

Powell came back with the wine.

“Thanks,” Gert said. “But you fellas look asif your flagons are dry. We can’t drink alone, can we, Glenna?”

“It ain’t proper,” Glenna said.

Green waved to the barkeep and orderedanother round.

“That’s better. Now we can drink a toasttogether,” said Gert.

“To the Queen!” Glenna said and raised herglass to her lips. She downed the wine in a single gulp, as didGert.

“Tastes like more,” said Glenna.

“Come on, boys. Drink up,” urged Gert.

Not to be outdone, the men chugalugged theirale.

“You hear the one about the preacher and thefarmer’s daughter?” said Glenna.

While the men blushed, Glenna proceeded totell her salacious tale. She and Gert laughed more raucously thanthe men. More drinks were ordered. More jokes were told, each moreoutrageous than the previous one. The afternoon drifted by. Greenwas the first one to lay his head upon the table and close hiseyes. The women held their own, talking and laughing the wholetime. Glenna leaned over the table at calculated intervals and letthe tops of her breasts show off their lush curvature. Powell puthis arm around Gert and she did not resist. He slumped against hershoulder, his eyes glazed.

“Looks like your pals have fallen asleep,”Glenna said to Crow. “Can’t hold their liquor.”

“I’m still awake,” Crow said, cupping hischin in his hands.

“Good for you,” Glenna said. “Here, finishoff my wine, will you? I’ve got to find the facility.”

It was at this precise moment that MarcEdwards entered the tavern. His tall bearing and gentleman’s attireimmediately attracted the attention of the bar’s patrons. He feltseveral dozen eyes upon him. Which suited him fine, for he said ina loud voice:

“Is there anyone here who intends to vote inthe election? There’s only forty minutes to go.”

“What election?” said Gert to Crow.

“Holy Jesus! We were heading to Danby’s tocast our vote.” Crow looked over at Marc and waved. “Over here,” hesaid.

Marc came over to the table. “You wish tovote?” he said to Crow.

“Yeah. And so do my friends here.”

“You ain’t gonna leave us?” said Glenna,returning.

“We gotta vote,” said Green. “Sorry.”