Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1830-12-01
THE BENEVOLENT WIDOW.

the theatre, and was kind enough "a
inquire into the private situations OF
various members Of the company. A.
mong others. she asked about Prismore,
and was told that he had but a small
salary, and made a very poor appear.
ancc. Hearing this, she remembered
that she had pair OF her late husbands
indispensabIes in the house, which she
resolved TO offer him. A servant WAS
accordingly despatched to the obiec {
ct her charity, who meeting one of the
actors, and partly disclosing her bust
ness, lac went in search OF Prign,ore.
and finding him. exclaimed, sPrir.
more, my boy, here's your fortune
made at last; here is \ rich widow in
tho town who has fallen in love with
you, and wants to see you.'
Pr'gmore, not suspect his rogue
ry. was led to the servant, in a state
OF bewildercd rapture, and by the lat :.
ter was Informed that the widow would
DE glad to sec him any morning il was
convenient lie appointed the follow.
ing. and went home to his lodging to
indulge in day Of golden in
dependence. His friend, in the mean
time, whispered the truth through the
green room, where there were two or
three others wicked enough to Join in
the conspiracy, by walking to Prig-
more's house, TO tender their cOnsratu-
Iations. Prigmore, a. will be suppos.
ed, passed sleepless night, and spent
an extra hour at his toilet the next
morning, in adjoining himself with a
clean chin and neckcloth.
He then sailed forth, and, on reach
ing the widows, was shewn into her
Par'our, where, casting his eyes around
on the substantial sufficisncy Of its
furniture, he began to felicitate him
self on the aspect of his future home.
The lady at length appeared; she
was upon the verge Of forty; a very
fashionable age at that time, which
resting upon the shoulders of a very
comely looking woman, seemed to be
IN character with her very comfortable
dwelling. Prigmore's satisfaction, and
her benevolence, operated equally in
producing some confusion; at length
a conversation commenced. She ac-
qaainted him that she had heard his
situation was not as agreeable as he
could wish-that his income was n
confined one; she was therefore desi-
r"us to do him all the service that La
IN her power. Prigmore, considering
this an express declaration Of her affec
ton, was about to throw himself at her
feet, when she suddenly summoned
the servant apd exclaimed, Rachel.
bring the breeches.'
The words astounded him, and he
stared in her face like block of mar
BILE. The widow, as suspicionless as
himself OF the hoax, could not interpret
M. wonder but on receiving the ha-
biiiments, folded them carefully I'D,
and remarking that they were as good
as new, (her husband having caught his
fatal cold in them the first time he nut
them on. begged Prigmore's accept.
ance Of the same.
And was il for this You wanted me.
Madam :! exclaimed Prigmore, rising
from his chair, his tone and count..
nance bespeaking mixture Of surprise
aud disappointment. Yes, SIR He
put on his hat, and walked to the door
in silent Indignation. The good wo.
man, as much astonished as himself,
followed him and said, wont you
take the breeches, sir = mo madam. ,
he replied. pausing at the door to make
some bitter remark, 'Wcar them YOUR.
self!' For the remainder Of the sea.
son, his life was far from being eny;a.
ble.-I Beraard's Reiropeciions of he
Stage.
M9orf,mes.-We frequently hear
OF some men that are fortunate, and of
others that are unfortunate. Almost
the only fortunate circumstances in
life are health and competency, and
even these are TO be gained or lost bv
good or iil conduct. No Affections can
be justly charged 10 fortune, which
could have been foreseen aud avoided.
Unfortunate persons, so called. are
commonly imprudent-they attribute
the effects Of their own carelcssness 10
misfortune or fatality.
"Perv,rsc mankind, Nth ~iIls created free.
" Charge sli their wocs absolute decree"
DIR. Franklin affords an admirable
instance of those two descriptions Of
men, VIZ: the fortunate and unfortu.
nate. When he was Young, thought.
less, and Inexperienced, he met with
advers;ties--when lac became prudent
and judicious, he was successful IN al /.
most every undertaking; and it j. eyi.
dent, from a perusal Of his memoirs.
that many troubles he encountered in
his youth might have been avoided BY
different course Of conduct.
However many friends you have, do