The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1839-05-21

WIDOWS AND Cows.-The Greenfield Ga
zette states that widow lady in Springfield has
a cow from which was made over IL pounds of
butter week, through the season. Even in
November she produced IL pounds a week.
The Gazette wonders somebody is not after the
"vidder," for the sake of the COW. The Green
field Gazette's wonder reminds us of story,
which we were assured by the narrator was of
actual occurrence. We might give names, date,
and scene, but perhaps our informant would not
thank us for stating things so particularly-so
we shall adopt fictitious designations for our
characters, and leave the town out, altogether
Goodman Jones died at the age Off fly. and was
gathered to his fathers, leaving a widow of his
own age. AT and about The same time Aunt
Smith died to and as her case was parallel to
Goodman Jones's in all except her sex. we pre-
sumo that she was gathered to her mothers
She left sdisconsolate widower, over whose
head just as many years had rolled, as the wild
ow Jones had counted. This was allowed on
all hands to be an astonishing coincidence. All
the women pitied Goodman Jones, poor man,
and all the men commserated with widow Jones
poor woman Widow Jones had large farm
so had widower Smith Widow Jones had
large dairy-so had widower Smith. AS TO the
acres of moving and tuge and woodland, each
had about an equal share and in children
Providence had blessed them both alike "What
upon airth" either would do with these vast pos
sessions alone, the old women declared thew
could not tell This difficulty suggested read
remedy, and the gossips did not let the defunct
man and woman get cold in their graves, before
they made up their minds that the rects should
be yok ed together,and the estates, hereditaments
and property, personal and real be held in Joint
prorrietorship. Matches they said were made
in Heaven ; and that this match was there nude
they very naturally considered the essential pre-
paration of widowhood in each case, positive
proof Widow Jones and neighbor Smith were
not long in hearing what gossip was nstir and
it has even been nsinuated that each had arriv-
ed at the conclusions named above, before any
body else had thought of them. 1t is certain
that when each requested the prayers of the |
cation that the bereavement might be |
sanctifed, Widower Smith looked pretty stead
ly over the rail of his pew at the seat of Widow
Jones and Widow Jones moved her white |
from her eyes just long enough to
see howher companion in bereavement supported
himself. After church they walked beside each
other SO far as their roads lay together and once
during the next week, Widower Smith paid
Widow Jones visit of coincidence. So far, SO
good but visits of coincidence go out of date
like amanacs and cannot be used as a pretextl
after certain season. Some other arrang ement
must be trumped up, and Widower Smih was
not long in finding it. His wagon stopped one
morning before Widow Jones's door, and he
gave the usual country signal, that he wanted
in the house, by dropping the reins
and setting double, with his elbows on his knees
Out tripped the widow lively as a cricket, with
n tremendous black ribbon on her snow white
cap. Good morning was soon said on both sides,
g. the widow waited for what was further.to he
said. swell, Ma'am ones, perhaps you don't
want to sell one of your cows, no how, for moth
ing, and way, do you?" Well, there, Mister
Smith, you couldn't have spoke my mind better.
A poor, lone woman, like me, does not know
what to do with many creurs and I should :
be glad to trade if we can fit it, So they ad-
burned to the meadow. Farmer Smith looked
At Roan--then Mt the widow--at Brindle--,hen
II the wdow-at the Downing cow-and at the
widow agaiE-and so through the whole forty.
The same call was made every day for week,
out Farmer Smith could not decide which COW
ne wanted. AT length,on Saturday, when Wild ,
NV Jones was in hurry to get through her balS-
ng for Sunday-and had sever so much" to do
n the house, as all farmers wives and widows
rave on Saturday, she was n little impaticnt.-
Farmer Smith was irresolute as ever: "ThatI
ere Downing cow is pretty fair cretur--but--' ,,
le stopped to glance at the widows face, and
hen walked round her-not the widow but the
'ow. That ERE short horn Durham is not E
'ad looking beast, but ] don't know'-another ,
ook at the widow The Downing COW knew ,
before the late Mr. Jones bought her. Here he t