The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1849-07-27
Singular COurtship.

tions from He adley'sAirondack or Life in
the Woods;-
THE other day took heavy boot to
shoemaker, or meader, To be repaired
before set 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 little space about him and bnit
a log hut. He had been there but year
or two, when one day as he was absent in
the woods with his eldest daughter, his
hut took fire and burned down. His wife
was sick, but she managed to crawl out,
taking the straw bed on which she lay
with her. At evening the husband re-
turned to find his house in ruins. 1t was
winter night and snow lay deep on the
ground. Calling aloud, he heard faint
voice reply, and going in the direction
from which it came, found his wife
stretched on The bed in the snow. Get.
ting together few boards left from tho
conAagration, he made shelter over her.
This night she was safely delivered of a
child which survived and is now living.
But under the exposure and excitement
together the husband took violent cold,
which having fastened on his lungs, and
being resisted by no medical treatment
whatever, terminated in the consumption.
He however, reared another hut, and du-
ring The summers young settler came in
and purchased tract near by him. His
being the only family within long dis
tauce, the backwoodsman often passed
the evening in their society, 1t was not
long before he discovered that his neigh
Dor could not survive, for the most igno-
rant in this region knew all the symptoms
of pulmonary disease which carries off
three. fourths of those who die. Accom-
panying this conclusion came naturally
the reflection, what would become of the
wife; and as she was goodlookipg 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
ifshe would marry him after he was deadl
She replied that she had no objections
at all if "her husband '0as ,Oaling." He
said he had no doubt Oh that point, and
he would speak to him about it. He did
so, and the husband unhesitalingly gave
his consent, adding that he was glad she
would be so well provided for after his
death. So when winter approached, the
young settler would como and court
the prospective widow. while the dying
husband lay and coughed on the bed in
the corner.
Now there was not much sentiment in
this, | grant, bat there was vast deal
of philosophy. 1t was rather cool on her
pait, to be sure, but vastly sensible on his
What could his wife and children do all
alone there in the woods, without pro-
tectorl The toughest part Of the pro.
ceeding. and that which no doubt tested
the backwoodsman's philosophy the Sc
verest, was the coutship. To lie gasp
ing for breath in one part ofthe room, and
see the young athletic and healthy back
woodsman aud his wife sitting together
by the fire. and know that after few
more painful weeks, he would occupy
that place permanently, and yet bear ii
all patiently, required good deal ol
stamina. Especially must the reflection
that they were both probably very anx.
ious to have him take hisdeparture, have
been bitter pill to swallow. | go into
these little particulars you know to show
the character of my hero to the best ad
vantage--tAe heroine speaks for herself
These two interesting personages were
my shoemaker and his wife," .- pe