The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-04-17

treaty. Listen to me one moment, mad
am J" said he with ms much 6rmness- Of
volce rs he was master of; but luckless
man! His foot catching in the hear,h-rug
tossed him upon his knees in mn instant,
and the attention Of the whole compnny be-
ing aroused by the fall, every body Looked
around and beheld Paul in suppleaiien NJ
The widows feer. lie remained trsns6xed
with horror aud veIaiion for two-thirds ofn
minute, and then, without utiering a word,
made a leap for the door, and boiled on, of
the house.
The next day, Paul's adventure was the
talk Of the town, and the congratulations
and coincidence which he received from his
friends on his engagement TO the widow
Wilful, almost drove him stark mad
" Paul, my dear fellow, give you Joy
but who would have thought ysu had the
courage to do il 2" "Paul how could you
do such ihinsw "Psul, l wish you
much bappiness-but widows are such cum
ming things !" paul, IFS oil over with
you then !" etc. etc. etc. Such were the
salntations 10 which he WINS subject for n
week-ay, for nine days, for so long mus,
a wonder he allowed tn last, especially when
it gives people privilege to remind n man
Of his misfortunes. As to denying the
thing, that of course was out of the ques-
tion with Paul: besides had not q whole
house full Of people seen him on his knees
before the widow, and did not The whole
town aflirm ,hal it was certainly II match :
Paul gave up in despair nlI thoughts of
gainsaying or denial, and only hoped tina,
some lucky accident would rop in between
him and the dreadful catastrophe.
"Well, Paul, nay conquering hero, when
is to be the happy dny :" asked his friend
Tom Sly, with n look compounded Of ro-
guish sarcasm and good-natureJ concern.
"Oh yes, very happy day II will be
certainly" returned Paul, Struggling up his
shoulders.
Pretty soon I suppose"
"Oh yes-soon enough, no doub, Of ihs,
eh!
LEFT it all pretty much to her, sh p
well, that's quite right; women love to
have their way, hey Pnulf"
Exactly so, as you say" replied Paul
with n half suppressed gronn."
:" The widow is certainly fine woman,
said Tom with almost malicious look o
condoleRcc.
Paul made very low bow, and a very
desperate attempt to look smiling at the
mplInent.
Had husband three years ago-died
one day, poor man ~
What allied him 7" said Paul, wishing
TO turn the conversation but feeling ut the
same time an awkward sort Of interest in
the topic.
"They say she pinched him TO DEATH"
"Horrid |" exclaimed Paul, with an in
voluntary sbuddcr.
Though don't altogether believe it,"
replied Tom, in tone as IL he only said II
to comfort his friend Paul II was = great
deal worse than if he had suid nsthing mt
all but probably this was just the thing he
meant.
"Thank yc," said Paul, with ar air Of
dolorous resignation.
Here they were interrupted by ibe en-
trance Of Col. Strut. More friendly con
gratulalions, 1 suppose, thought Paul to
himself, in heroic resignation.
"I believe I have the honor TO address
Mr.. Paul Plant" said the colonel, march
ing with stately port, and ia double com
mon time up to Paul, nnd planting him
self bolt uprigh, before his face.
"At your service entirely" said Paul,
with meek and measured civiIi,y.
And Mr.. Plant, presume" coniin-
ued the colonel, making half bow, and
screwing up his martial features Into aa
apology for a smile" is to marry the wild
ow Wilfull'
"Oh yes, cerainly-tbat $50 they
say" II
"Then, sir, | have only to sny," said
The colonel, lifting himself up ms high rs
possible, and twisting his fore-6nger into
one Of his farnidable black whisker.. " ihn,
considering myself supplapted, begoiled,
aud circumven,ed by you, ! sPprelrnd you
are ready to give me such satisfaction as
the laws Of honor require 7"
Certainly, sir, with great pleasure, re-
piled Paul. =,
"Then, sir, I shall desire the pleasure Of
your company on the other side OF the
State line" returned the Colonel, ~ the
civilest tone possible. PISTOLS, suppose,
would be your preference
Pistols I" said Paul, in tone which he
meant for an ejaculation Of surprise.
every WE'LL" said the colonel, without
giving time for any further explanation.
&" Here are the terms Of the meeting, which
I ,ru., you will find perfectly agreeable"
So saying he handed paper to Paul, who
received il, and ran it over With his eyes,
without having self-possession enough to
gather the meaning Of particle Of its con-
tents. :, 81
"Pehechy agreeable, cerialnly," said
Paul. in his usual asserting way. The
colonel turned upon his heel, and ',alked
of.
Paul, good friend Tom, snaiched up the
document and rend-" Pistols-ten A. ~
thirty pnces-seconds to mark out the
around no interference tIll third shot