Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1850-04-11
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Prom the Model American Courier.
TIE WIDOWS STRATkGEM :
on, HOW TO ENTRAP a HUS-
BAND.

BY PAUL cREYToN.

Dir. Benjamin Macarthur had been dead
two wears. Mrs Benjamin Macarthur had
put off her mourning, and was once more
in the market. Mrs. Benjamin Macarthur
had undoubtedly loved her late husband as
it becomes good and faithful wives to love
their lords, bat like 4 sensible woman, she
had not allowed grief to Kill her, nor to
destroy her beauty, nor to embnter her life
with melancholy. On the other hand, she
consoled herself with the pleasant reflection
that there were single men left, as hand
some, manly, devoted, as the late Mr.. Nc
Arthur and in two years time, dating from
his death, she appeared as fair, buxom, be-
witching, as at the period when she was
first made bride.
Mrs Macarthur, then, was once more IN
the market She had a snug little proper
ty-iust enough for comfort; and not be-
ing blessed with children, it was quite nat
ural that she should cherish the benevolent
wish that some kind soul might enjoy
her competency with her. But nobody
seemed disposed to take upon himself the
responsibility of filling the place lately &C.
cupied by the lamented Mr. Macarthur, and
Mrs Macarthur, ala consequence, still re-
NAMED widow.
lis little strange said Mrs. Near
thur 10 herself one day, resting her elbows
on the table and her chin on her palms, -
ITS little strange that nothing turns up /;
and its now going on three years since Mr.
Macarthur departed this life. | could get
married nor with all the proprIety in the
world. if anybody would propose. l wish
| could think of some way 10 bring men
OUT
After long and serious deliberaiion, the
wife of the late lameuted Mr.. Macarthur
thought of a wise expedIent. She resolved
TO advertise Do not imagine that 1t was
her intention to give notice to all men In
general, and to single ones In particular,
that she wanted a husband, for she was too
shrewd and modest to commit such an III
discretion. She resolved to have recourse
10 an innocent bat of stratagem, to entrap
hust ard, and on the following morning TINS
announcement appeared IN one OF the morn
ing papers =
y A SINGLE GENTLEMAN, III
want of home, may hear OF desirable
situation in a small family, where there are
no boarders, by applying at lS Dcdham
Place
Little did the bachelors who glanced
their eyes carelessly over this announce
ment, suspect that it was man-trap, set by
buxom widow Had they known the full
meaning OF this notice, how eagerly would
the antl-shiri-button, antI-domestic and an
ti-comfort societies have rushed to the abode
of the widow Of the late MIR. Macarthur, a
No. Is Dedham Place ! As ii was, the IN
dlylduals who called during the day TO look
at the accommodations for single gentle
man, were far from numerous, aud not eX
acily of the right sort to please the widow.
Those only who have set man-traps ant
watched for their victims, can have any idei
of Mrs. McArthur's anxiety during all thai
day, and the perturbation of her hear
whenever she heard the door-bell ring.
The first unconscious candidate for the
place formerly occupied by the lamentee
Mr.. Macarthur, was dapper fellow, at leas
ten years Younger than the widow, and al
together too gay to suit the fancy of SO so
Der and quiet lady. Therefore, when the
youthful candidate demanded the price o
rent and board, our shrewd heroine men
toned an exhorbitant sum, which the dap
per young man would not be foolish enough
10 pay.
'Whewp whistled the young man con
temptuously; Il can't go any such non
sense as that. Twelve dollars week f!
didn't suppose you would ask more than sl'
at most
Very WELL said the widow of the late
lamented Mr.. Macarthur, you are not o
bliged TO take the ROOM.
But | like i'll like the locality pur
sued the candidate and if you would sa!
eight dollars