Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-05-10


- May be shall, some day or other"
"What security can we have that you not
killed in YOURSELF
ooh, never fear! am the sweetest temper In the
world, barring when I'm dining out, which is not
often"
"what, Sir, YOU can drink little?"
"Threc bottles, with ease
! Ay that is bad. You have red face and
I look apoplectic. You will, no doubt, go oil sud-
! denly
Devil bit My red face was born with me;
and I'll lay bet live longer than any twoin the
| ROOM
| & But three bottles -''
| "Never YOU mind that. don't mean to drink
more than a bottle and half in future Besides,
intend to get married, if can, and live snug
A debate arose amongst the directors respecting
! this gentleinan's eligibility. The words d" row"
and "three bottles ran, hurry round the
| table. Every dog had snap at them" AT last,
however, the leader of the pack addressed him in
demurrng growl, and agreed that, upon his paying
a slight additional premium 10. is Irregularities, he
| should be admitted fit subject
1t was now my turn TO exhibit; but, my friend
was handing me forward my progress was arrest
dby the entrance ola young lady with an elderly
rnad-seryant- She dressed in slight mourn
ing, the most sparkling beauty had seen,
! and appeared to produce an instantaneous effect,
even upon the stony-hearted directors themselves,
The chairman politely requested her TO take seat
at the table, and Immediately entered into her bu-
! siness, which seemed little more than to show her
self and be entitled twenty thousand pounds, for
which her late husband had insured his life.
I "Zounds,' thought |, ''twenty thousand pounds
! and widow.''
| {" All, Madam" observed the chairman, 4" your
husband made too good bargain with told
| him he elderly, sckly sort of man, and
not likely to last; but never thought he would
| have died so soon after his marriage"
An elderly, sickly sort of man! She would
| marry again, of course! was fire to be
| ined before her, and let her hear favourable re-
| port oil me- As luck would have 1t, she had some
| further transactions which required certain papers
to be sent for and, in the pause, stepped boldly
| forward.
| Gentlemen" said my lawyer, with smile
which whitened the tip of his nose, and very nearly
sent 1t through the external tesuments, allow me
to introduce Mr.. "a particular friend of mine,
who Is DESTROYS ofinsuring his life. You perceive
he is not one of your dying sort.'
The directors turned their eyes towards me with
evident satisfaction and had the vanity believe
| that the widow did so too.
| You have good broad chest,'' said one. "
dare say your lungs never affected
"Good shoulders too said another &c Not
! likely TO be knocked down in a row.
Strong in the legs, and not debilitated by dis
spation, p" cried third. 81 think this gentleman
will suit US"
|
and few others, the widow very much in
clined to litter, which considered as much as a
| Irritation commenced; and when was ordered into
! another room TO be further examined by the sur
geon in attendance, longed tell her stop till
| came back. The pr professional gentleman did his
utmost 10 find flaw in me, but obliged 10 write
certificate, with which re-entered, and had the
satisfaction of hearing the chairman read that was
warranted sound. The Board congratulated ME
somewhat jocosely, and the widow laughed out
right. Our affairs were settled exactly at the
same moment, and followed her closely down
stairs.
"What mad trick are you at now?" enquired
the cormorant.
g am going to hand that lady to her carriage"
| l responded; and kept my word. She bowed to
me with much courtesy, laughed again, and desired
her servant to drive home.
"Whereis that, John I'' said J.
- Number -, Sir in - street." said john
and away they went.--
We walked steadily along, the bird of prey
reckoning up the advantages of his bargain with
me, and in a mood Of equally interesting reflec-
ton.
"What are you pondering about, young gentle
man - lie at last commenced.
6 l am bordering whether not you have not
overreached yourself in this transaction
g How so?''
"Why begin 10 think shall be obliged to !
give up my harumscarun way of life; drink mode |
ratey, leave off fox-huntng, and sell my spirited
horses, which, you know, will make material
difference in the probable date of my demise.''
But where is the necessity for your doing all
this 90
My wife will, most likely, make it a stipuIa-
ton"
80 Your vifen'
Yes. That pretty disconsolate widow we have
just pared from gu may laugh but, if you
choose to bet the insurance which you have bought
of me against the purchase-money, will take you
that she makes sedate married man in less Than
two months"
" Doner' said comorant, his features again
straining their back-skins at the idea of having
made double profit of me. " Let US 20 to my
house, and ] will draw a deed to that effect, |
gratis"
did not finch from the agreement My case, !
/ knew, desperate. j should have hanged |
myself month before had 1t not been for the Ep-
Races, at which had particular business; and
any little additional reason for disgust the world
would, thought, be rather pleasure than pain |
provided | was disappointed in the lovely wi |
dow.
Modesty is a sad bugbear upon fortune have
known many who have not been oppressed by il |
remain in the shade, but have never known one |
who emerged with 1t into prosperity. In my own |
case II was byby no means family disease, nor |
had lived in any way by which | was likely to |
contract it. Accordingly, on the following day,
caught myself very cooy knocking at the wi
dows door; and so entirely had been occupied in
considering the various blessings which would &C
Crue TO both Of US from our union, that was half
way upstairs before began to think of an excuse
Tor my Intrusion The drawing room vacant,
and Twas lett Tor moment to wonder whether
was not actually in some temple of the Loves and
Graces. There was not thing to be seen which
did not breathe with tenderness. The ceiling dis