Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1844-01-27

Wlen OCCdSlO0 dIOWc0; DuL t1ey seemed
forced and discordant, like laughter in
sick room. Matthew was the only one
who preserved his usual tenor of temper
and conduct.
l need hardly say that thehceforward
every Wednesday afternoon was spent by
US at the widows tavern. Strangely,
neither Matthew. or my two FELLOWSHIP
dents, or myself, spoke to each of the SEN
timent which filled US, Interference to Ninon;
yet we all knew the thoughts and feelings
of the others; and each, perhaps felt conf
dent that his love alone was unsupported
by his companions.
The story Of the widow was simple
yet touching one. In one of the cantons
of her native land she had grown up, and
married, and lived in happy comfort. A
son was born TO her, and a daughter, the
beautiful Ninon. By some of those re-
verses of fortune which visit even those ro-
mantle and liberty-loving regions, the
father and head of the family had the greater
portion of his possessions swept from him.
He struggled for time against the evil in
fuence, but it pressed Upon him harder and
harder. He had heard Of people in a
western world--a new and swimming land,
where the stranger was welcomed, and
peace and the protection of the strong
arm were around and over him. He had
no heart to stay and struggle amid the
scenes of his former being. and he deter
mined to go, and make his home in that
distant republic of the west So, with his
wife and children, and the proceeds Of their
little property, he took passage for New
York. Alas! he was never to reach his
destination. Either the cares and troubles
that preyed upon his mind, or some other
cause, consigned him to fit of illness, from
which he was only relieved by the great
dismisser from all griefs and agonies Death
He was buried in the sea; and in due time
his weeping family arrived at the great
American emporium, to find that his death
was only the first part of their depriva-
tons. The son, he too sickened, and ere
long was laid away tc his rest.
Nuon was too young to feel permanent
grief at these sad occurrences, and the
Mother whatever she might have suffered
inwardly, had a good deal of phlegm and
patience, and set about making herself and
remaining child as comfortable as nigh,
| be. They had still a respectable sum in
cash. and, after due elaboration. the widow
purchased the little quiet tavern, where, of
Sundays and holydays, she took in consid-
cradle sums. The French and Germans
visited the house frequently, and quite a
number of young Americans, too. Proba-
bly,, not the least attraction to the latter
was the sweet face and form of Ninon.
Spring passed, and summer crept in and
wasted away, and autumn had arrived.
| Every American knows what delicious
| thar hSy, &C h.
early October days; how calm, clear, and
Invested of sultriness is the air, how blue
the skies, and how decently nature seems
preparing herself for her winters sleep!
Thus it was of the Wednesday we start
cd on our accustomed excursion. Six
months had elapsed since our first visit
and, as then, we were full of the exuber-
ance of young and joyful hearts. Frequent
and hearty were our okes, by no means
particular about the theme OF the method,
and long and loud the peals Of laughter
that rang over the fields or along the shore.
We took our seats round the same clean
white table. and received our liquor in the
same bright ,ankards. They were set be-
fore US by the sober Margery, no one else
being visible. AS frequently happened, we
were the only company. Walking and
breathing the keen fine air had made US
| dry, and we soon drained the foaming YES
sels and called for more. remember well
an animated chat we had about some po-
ems that had just made their appearance
from great British author, and were Gre
ating quite sensation. There was one
a story Of passion and despair, which
Wheaton had read, and of which he gave
US transcript. 1t was wild, startling
dreary thing, and it threw over our minds
its peculiar cast.
An hour moved Off and we began tc
think it strange that neither Ninon or the
widow came into the room. One of u.
gave hint to that effect to Margery; bu
she made no answer, and went on with hel
usual way as before.
The grim old thing" said Harry Whea
ton; "if she were in Spain, they'd make
hers premium duenna"
asked the woman about Ninon and The
widow She seemed perturbed, | thought
but, making no reply TO the first part of my
question, said that her mistress was in an
other room of the house, and did not wish
TO be with company.
Then be kind enough" resumed Whea
ton with grimace, "be kind enough, Mrs
Vinegar, 10 go and ask the widow if we
can see Ninon."
, Our attendants face turned as pale a
ashes, and she precipitatey left the apart
ment. We laughed at her agitation, which
: Frank Brown (and we UNANIMOUSLY agreed
/ thereto) assigned to her ill-temper at thu
ridicule of our company.
&, / e 1 l.