The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1850-04-04
Tom Hodgkiss and the Widow.

kiss, Messrs. Editors? All then pity you
from. the bottom of my hea-t-and so you
may no longer continue in this lamentable
state of ignorance, pray allow me to intro.
duce him to you: Our friend is not of the de-
scription known as tall commanding far
from il; indeed he scarcely measures five
feet five, in his boots; and so far from being
stately and dignified,' he would make cap
ital model for a novelist's little dapper gen.
tleman' to figure in love scenes with pretty
barmaids, But, although he is physically
small, Messrs Editors, he possesses a soul
of such magnitude tina; his body had to be
peculiarly constructed to contain it; honest,
brave, generous, unsuspicious and truthful
no wonder that his legs were made dis.
proportionately short or else his body could
have never held his principles. Added to
these he is oblging, persevering and indus
trious, and per consequence, popular: and
thriving. He is THE match for all the
young widows, ,and the object of particular
attention. from all mothers with marriagable
daughters on our street. And many have
been the plots laid by these man1uvering
individuals TO entrap him into the moose Of
matrimony, and remarkably narrow the o.
scapes he has made from their evil machi-
nations against his liberty. One OF recent
occurrence, in my opinion will do Ito print
Not many sqnares frsp Toms store, there
lives a widow lady, who, until recently has
l, oc rt;nplar frinpha
This lady had met Tom somewhere, and ad-
miring his principles, and approving his cir
cumstances, had come to the resolution Of
making him the husband of her daughter,
a very pretty and inocent girl of about fifteen.
After making a resolution Mrs. l. was not
the woman to hesitate in its execution.
She manGuvered to have him attend her
daughter at all the balls and soirees of the
season 10 which she had access, and man.
age 10 take him TO the theatre in their party
on several occasions; and at church on Sun
day, our friend was 10 be occupying place
in her pew as regularly as 'one ofthe family
And more this-she even opened an account
at his store, and two or three times daily, in
fine weather, Miss S. was despatched to pur-
chase some indispensable nothing that no.
body could select but herself p
Her plans worked admirably for about
three months. Toms attentions had been
generally remarked, and the gossips of his
acquaintance had long settled it among them
selves, that he was 'in for it, aud the good
mother daily expected, and was constantly
on the QUI vIvE for a proposal.-This was
the posture of affairs, when Tom called one
morning about eleven.-Ile was shown in
the parlor, and soon Joined by the young lady.
After few moments of small-talk, he re-
quested her to be so good as 10 send her
mother to him, as he wished to have few
minutes conversation with her on business.
We acknowledge there was slight trem-
bling of the hands visible, as Mrs. l. smooth
ed her hair to obey the summons. She has
been successful! Yes; Notwithstanding the
sarcasms of the widow NJ and the inuen-
does of the Misses T and the opposition of
the whole street, she had triumphed! !
These, and other thoughts of like pleasing
complexion, caused her cheeks to assume
an unusual glow, and there was considera-
BILE elaten in her steps as she entered the
room and afIectonately greeted her future
son-in-law.
We have intimated that Tom, is honest
and straightforward and so without the least
circumlocution or embarrassment he at
once approached the delicate matter.
tAs irtended,' opened our friend, leav-
ing for the Moth the latter part of this week,
thought had better have word with you,
Mrs. l., and come to an understanding about
matters
'You are perfectly right replied the lady /;
it is always best 10 settle such things as soon
as possible. But have you spoken to my
daughterP
'Realy, madam answered Tom, have
not True, Miss, is PRINCIPALLY concerned in
the matter-but then she is so very young
that thought it would rest wholly with YOU
'Far from it-far from it, exclaimed the
cunning mother. The matter is left entire
ly to her, and whatever she says | will agree
to-
'In that CASE said Tom, rising and putt
ing his hands in his pocket, have only to
leave the bill"
BILL!-BLIr screeched the widow.
'Yes, ma'am just $50 5o-for articles pur-
chased by Miss E. But why are you sur
prised q
Because, sr-becanse thought you'll
Observation-Disclosures, SIR ma.
king an effort, but choking with rage. And
rising, she made dignifed inclination, af-
ter telling him she would send servant with
the money in the evening, and swept out of
the room.
4 wonder,' soliloquised Tom, on his re-
turn from New York, 'wha! can be the mat
ter with the Ps? Miss L. was as cold as an
icicle when | called on her the other eve-
ming, and to-day the old lady gave me the
cut direct. Somebody must have been tell
ing lies on me while was gone. / AM
GLAD, THOUGH, SHE PAID HER BiLL..w and he