Lexington union. (Lexington, Miss.) 1838-18??, 1839-04-20
"A husband!" exclaimed Paul, startled

"a iuSuaHu! exclaimed Haul, SlartIeu
by the audacious boldness Of the suggestion.
/" i knew you meant so,n returned the
widow, sinking into her chair Oh my
dear sir, feel quite over-embarrassed."
Paul's intellects were in such a cloudy
state at this moment that lie thought she
was about to faint. He caught her hand,
and was just going to call for hartshorn,
when she opened hereyes with an appear
ance of great languor.
ooh, Mr.. Plant! the sincerity ofthis
avowal--you are sincere Mr.. Plant"
"Certainly--yes," exclaimed Paul, for
he could say nothing else: he was lost
man. The widow kept fast hold on his
hand. Paul struggled to say something
he felt how desperately he was situated.
7" Mrs. Wilful," said he in great agitation,
81 do not wish you to be deceiyed--the
fact is, | must speak plainly"
"My dear Mr.. Plant, never thought
you deceiver. / do not believe you cy-
er will be deceiver. Oh! there are some
men who are so deceiyingw
Paul was at his last gasp as the widow
uttered this pathetic exclamation; 81
must SET the matter right this moment"
thought he, ''or it will be all over with me y
He threw himself into an attitude Of earnest
entreatv. Listen to me one moment,
madame said he with as much firmness Of
voice as he was master Of: but luckless
man! His foot caichngin the hearh-rug
tossed him upon his knees in an instant,
and the attention of the whole company be.
ling aroused by the fall, everybody looked
round and beheld Paul in supplication Al,
the widows feet. He remained transixed
with horror and vexation for two-thirds
ola minute, and then, without uttering a
word, made leap for the door, and bolied
out Of The house!
The next day, Paul's adventure was the
talk of the town, and the congratulations
and condolences which he received from
his friends on his engae ement to the widow
Willul, almost drove him stark mad.
+" Paul, my dear fellow, give you Joy
but who would have thought you had the
courage TO do it?' "PauI, how could
you do sucha ihing?" "Paul, l wish you
much happiness--but widows are such
cunning things" "Paul, it's all over
with you then?v ect ect. ect. Such were
-y.,ut.ons - wn'cn III wsss siInJectcd for
week lay, for nine days; for so long
must wonder be allowed 10 last, especial
" when it gives people privilege to re-
mind man Of his misiortunes. As to de-
pying the thing, that Of course was out Of
the question with Paul: besides had not a
whole house-fu of people seen him on his
knees before the widow, and did not the
whole town affirm that It was certainly a
match? Paul gave up in despair all
thoughts of gainsayIng or denial, and only
hoped that some lucky accident would pop
in between him and the dreaded catastro.
phe.
"Well, Paul. my conqncring hero, when.
is TO be the happy day." asked his friend
Tom Sly, with a look compounded Of ro-
guish sarcasm and good-natured concern.
"Oh yes, very happy day it will be
certainly" returned Paul, Struggling up
his shoulders.
"Pretty soon, ! suppose"
"Oh ves--soon enough, no doubt Of
that, eh!"
cleft it all pretty much to her, eh?-
well that's quite right--women love TO
have their own way, hey PauI?"
EXACTLY 50, as you say" replied Paul,
with half-suppressed groan.
"The widow is certainly fine woman"
said Tom, with an almost malicious look
of coincidence.
Paul made very low bow, and a very.
desperate attempt to look smiling at the
compliment.
Had husband, three years ago.
died one day, poor mani"
"What allied him." said Paul, wishing
to turn the conversation; but feeling al the
same fine an awkard sort ofinterest in the
topick.
"They say she pinched him to death !"
"Horrid!' exclaimed Paul, with an in
voluntary shudder.
although don't altogether believe it,"
returned Tom, in tone as if he only said
it to comfort his friend Paul. 1t was a
greatdeal worse than if he had said nothing
at all but probably this was just the thing
he meant.
"Thank ye," said Paul, with an air Of
dolorious resignatian..
Here they were interrupted by the en-
trance Of Colonel Strut. More friendly
congratulations! lsuppose,thought Paul to
himself, in heroic resignation.
81 believe have the honour Ia address
Mr.. Paul Plant" said thecolonel march
ing with stately port, and in double com
mon time up to Paul, and planting himself
bolt upright before his face.
"At your service, entirely" said Paul,
with meek and measured civility.
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