The Daily spy., 1849-07-26
SINGULAR CouRTsHlP.

we copy the following strange relation from
Headley's Adirondack or Lie inthe Woods:-
"Ihe other day took ia heavy boot to a shoe
maker, or rather mender, to be repaired before !
sci forth on new expedition, of whom was told
capital anccdote. An English emigrant had
settled down In remote part Of the forest, where
he cleared a little space about him and built
log hut He had been there but year or two,
when one day he was absent in the woods
with his eldest daughter, his hut took fire and
burnt down. His wife was sick but she managed
TO crawl out, taking the straw bed on which sne
lay with her. At evening the husband returned
to hnd his house in ruins. Itwas winter night,
and the snow lay deep on the ground. Calling
aloud, he heard faint voice reply, and going in
the direc ction from which it came, found his wife
stretched on the bed in the snow. Getting to-
gether few boards left from the conhagraior,
he made shelter over her. That night she W
safely delivered of child which survived and
is now living. But under the exposure and eX-
element together, the husband took violent
cold, which, having fastened on his lungs, and
being resisted by no medical treatKent whatever,
terminated in consumption He, however, rear
ed another hut, and during the summer, young
settler came in and purchased tract near ty
him. His beip the only family within lorg
distance, this backwoodsnan often passed the
evening in their society. 1t was not long before
he discovered that his neighbor could not long
survive, Tor the most ignorant in this region
know all the symptoms Of the pulmonary disease
which carries OF three fourths OF those who die
Accompanying this conclusion came naturally
the reflection, what would become Of the vile
and as she was good looking and industrious, he
thought he could not do better than TO marry her
himself Acting under this consideration, he
mentioned the matter to her, remarking that her
husband could not live long, and asking ii she
would marry him after he was dead?
She replied that she had no objections at all if
sher husband was wi ling He said he had o
doubt on that poi t, and he would sp ak to h m
about it. He did so, and the husband unhesita-
tingly gave his consent, adding tn; he was glad
she would be so we'll provided for alter his destb
So when winter approached, the young settler
would come and 'court the prospective widow
while the dying husband lay and coughed on the
bed in the ccrper.
Now there wa not much sentiment in this,
grant, but there was vast deal OF philosophy =
1t was rather cool on her part, to be sure, but |
stly sensible on his. What could his wife and
dren do all alone there in the woods, without
protector The toughest part of the proceed.
ing, and that which no doubt tested the back. |
woodsman's philosophy the severest, was the |
courtship. To lie gasping for breath in one part
OF the room, and see the young, athletic and
healthy backwoodsman and his wife sitting to.
gether by the FIRE, and know that after fe W
more painful weeks, he would occupy that place
permanently, and yet bear it all patiently, re.
quired good deal OF stamina. Especially must
the reflection that they were both probably very
ANXIOUS to have him take his departure, have
been rather bitter pill to swallow. | 90 into
all these little particulars, you know, to show the
character ofaiy nero to the best advantage-the
heroine speaks for herself. These two interest
ing personages were my shoemaker and his
wife,