The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-02-13
The Widow.


A correspondent of the New York
Commercial Advertiser, under the nam
de plume of Quis, is writing series OF
articles 'irom Washington for that pa
per. For quiet rich humor we see
nothing like them. The writer comes
nearer to the Stern and Dickens school
gracefully play limning with pen,
than many other writers of whom We
know. Below we give an extract from
one of his inimitable sketches. 1t is
well to premise that he boards with Il
young and fascinating widow; that he
returns late at night from dinner par
ty, that he has just left Mr.. Sweeple,
who was himself widow tortured
,Caudleised-and who for full hour,
had been impressing Mr.. QUIZ with the
inevitable misery entailed on all who
formed matrimonial alliance with
widows. 1t was at such time, and
under such circumstances, tha. he
meetshis fair hostess. What followed
he best explains himself, so we will al
low him to tell it to the reader In his
own language. O. Delta.
"Bless me are you there at this time
ofnightW tnrned, and as live there
was the widow! !--"H How very ridicu.
leus," she said: she did not know ! was
there, and had just come 10 put out the
light and see that the FIRE was all safe.
She had just thrown a shall on, and TO
be seen in her night-cap oh! it was
shocking. Good night, it was time !
was in bed; must make haste so that
she could return and extinguish the
lamp"
"You will be astonished at my bold
ness, (as was aiterwards,) but as she
was retiring from the room, took The
candlestick from her hand, led her to
sofa, and insisted upon relating the ad-
ventures of the day TO her. She
showed very little reluctance to com
ply, and sat down beside her."
"But goodness gracious, canno, be
sitting here with you at this hour"
do not know why she sunk her
voice to whisper as she sid this, but
she did, and her looks said as plainly
as looks can speak-'Oh do detam met
"Why," repliod, "this is the most
quiet, delightful hour Of the twenty
fcur--the silence gives kind Of sacred
propriety tot; besides its only - there
is no harm in sitting with me-"
SWELL" she answered, do let me
take off this odious cap. How could
be caught with it on," and she raised
her hand to unite the ribbons, but no
"that horrld cap added new charms TO
her beautiful TEXTURES. | insisted on
its remaining. was preremptory--l
clasped her fingers TO prevent its reno
val and she deslsted. There was magic
in her fingers that prevented my re-
leasing them. Did you ever sit at mid
night with pretty woman, wearing
pretty cap, holding her hand If so, you
may imagine my feelings. You know
how her touch thrilled the blood, cold
and quverIng, and how the heart leans
with kind of tremulous exultation, that
almost takes away the breath, and
makes the throat feel hoarse and husky,
and how the fingers of the disengaged
hand ViH be beating upon the back of
the sofa in spite of YOURSELF f.--This
was how ! felt, who had never before
been in such n situation and although
I had detained the young widow with
the intention of giving her a lively ac-
count of the day and nights adventures.
the power of speech suddenly left me.
SWELL" she said softly, show did you
enjoy yourself at the party!" "Ex-
ceIlent," replied, "we were very
merry" We were again silent for |
full minute and when our eyes met /! |
felt actual y embarrassed, ,athoug was
conscious of doing no wrong.
The widow was the first to speak |
again; and she looked in my face, and |
with smile, whispered, 81 really think |
Mr.. Sweeple is"--she nodded her head
and smiled. ...
"He is," | answered, and beginning
to feel more at my ease, felt nv arm
slide gently down the sofa, until it had,
almost unconscously encircIed her
waist. The widow gently tried to re.
move 1t, but 1t was obstinate and she
desIsted. Was | not grown bold?
What wonder ifmy arm clasped her
tighter, as she proceeded to whisper a |
little anecdote, quite secretly about
Mrs. Jepirson and Miss. Ounce ?--
What wondsr when our looks were 10