Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1847-10-02
MADAME DANVlLLE,
OR THE YOUNG AND RICH WIDOW.

OR THE YOUNG AND RICH WIDOW.
The racy editor of the Courier DIES En-
tats- Unis, in abiding to the various char.
tiles in favor of the sufferers by the Loire
inundation. in France, relates the following
anecdote of a certain rich widow at the
time of similar nundation Of the river
Rhone:
There was in a city near Lyons. wild.
ow, remaining of the very few of that class
since the men seem 10 prefer second han
ded.wives-a widow of twenty-five, hand
some enough to dispense with fortune.
and rich enough to do without beauty
Her first husband was just such one as
second would wish-one of those hus-
bands that are not made to intimidale their
successors, and who advantageously re-
placed in second marriage, when there is
the least value in the new spouse. He had
lighted the torch of hymen at SO years. and
eXtinguished il at so. His whole merit
consisted in having lasted but little while,
and dying in season, leaving to his wife, as
compensation, 10000 francs income. AT
this price, his wrongs were easily pardoned,
with his sour temper, jealousy, and other
defects of age and character. leave you
to imagine, if widow thus endowed was
surrounded with signing lovers. All that
the city comprised of marriageable young
men were inscribed in her books, to obtain
The estate of the defunct spouse. Each
one displayed the best graces wit and for
tune--in fine all that could give him value
| in the estimation of the widow. For dis
cre,ion's sake we shall name her Madame
Danville, and we may state that, before the
end of her mourning, she had announced
her positive intention Of remarrying. Her
| first marriage had been in obedience to the
choice of her family--now that she was
| free and mistress of her own hand, she was
determined to have brilliant revenge. She
at first conceived the idea of marrying at
Paris, she could choose from larger field;
but important interests connected with her
properly, decided on her remaining in the
provinces. The defunct husband was a
rich manufactu, err and the widows fortune
was in merchandise and commercial paper,
the product of which was certain. hui time
was necessary to realize il. Madame Dan
vile therefore resigned herself to await the
prudent settlement Of her husbands affairs,
which would require t"" years.
But the widows sagacity exhausted by
the accomplishment of this resolution. sue
cumbed to the idea of waiting two years
before renewing the bonds of hymen.-
Already had her spring blossomed unfavor
ab!e-musl she still pass in isolation, the
best years Of YOUTH When such rehec
lions seize a woman's thoughts, The course
she will take is not doubtful. Consequent
", the aspirants TO her hand and fortune.
for moment disdained, were anew admit
ted to present their titles. The beautiful
widow had her court; she held herself be-
seged with ardent vows, tender prayers.
homage and flallery of every degree-all
of which left her indifferent. until one day,
serpent crepl among the flowers.
The serpent--lhus allegorically named
was certain ci-devant young man, in a
good state of preservation, but no longer
young No one knew precisely his age,
but he was past forty-a fatal epoch for
fascinating charmers. But. by service
thanks to his skill at the game, Gallants
, of this sort are very dangerous, being treat,
ed as of little consequence, and thus they
make Roadway in their captivating art, til
it is too late to arrest them. This was the
case of Mr.. Leonard; his rivals neglected
TO obstruct his pa,h-lhe widow al first len
but little attention to his addresses--and s,
he fortified himself in his tutelary position
Endowed with patience to endure ever!
Test, and possessing resources furnished b,
long practice, he knew how TO profit by al
the advantages of the case. Armed witt
caustic wit, skilful in rdicule, he had tn
art of s,igmatizipg and running the pros