Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1850-04-11


used to better fare and more substantial
comforts
NY dear hrs McArthur,' said the Ma
jor, with enthusiasm, l have nothing tc
desire here. You take excellent care of me
better than deserve-far better assure
you. Mrs. Macarthur, believe me when
say that ! appreciate you
Dear me- said the widow, blushing
low you Hatter me! But wish you
would'nt-it seems TO me that you are ma.
king fun of me-
hrs. McArthur,' exclaimed the Major,
warmly, how you talk ! You hurt my feel
ings-indeed YOU do. Don't say anything
about my insincerity again, if you've any
regard for me-which | don't know as you
have
'Ab, dear me! you know | have said
the widow.
Then believe ne sincere, .iy dear Mrs.
McArthur; do appreciate you,
and | sometimes think what an enviabse fell
low Mr.. Macarthur must have been. You're
a prize to the lucky man who marries you,
Mrs. Macarthur
Dear me now know you're fattering
me, Major ! said the blushing widow.
| assure you not pursued the Major,
smiling bIandly, and leaning over the table
till his face almost touched the widows: Il
assureyou not Ispeak from my heart when
say think you prize. Hrs. Macarthur,
you are prize; prize to the extremely
lucky fellow who marries YOU
Pm afraid you are the Only one who
thinks So faltcred the widow butt
she stammered-' why should | care for
others 2
Na'amr said the Ma or with start.
| say murmured the widow, Pve nobo-
dy 10 care for but you-and why should l.
The Major, from some unaccuuntable
cause, began to feel embarrassed, and made
mighty effort TO change the conversation.
This he did to the inexpresslble regret of the
widow, who thought 1t very interesting in
deed
But Mrs Macarthur could not complain.
Hope smiled upon her. The Major, she
felt assured, was deliberately and affection
ately putting his foot into il. Already she
considered him the successor of the late la
mented Macarthur, and she congratulated
HSiSCii On Inc iaCt thdt SNcit uaI hd>
strengthening the ties which bound her to
the Major
One day, however, a startling circum-
stance occurred. A middle-aged lady call
ed at Mrs. McArthur's house for the Major.
She was a sharp-ieatured, uncomfortable
looking woman, and her voice struck the
widow as being indicative of anything rath-
er than an ainiable disposition. This lady
demanded the Major i'll such an imperative
manner, that Mrs. Macarthur, although she
knew he was in, thought fit TO state the fact
as doubtful, and went herself to inquire Of
him whether ii was his desire TO see his
visitor.
What could all the Major He turned
pale, and seemed agitated OF hearing the
intelligence the widow impaired. He STAN
mered, got up and sat down again, and
writhed in his easy chair in most unac-
countable manner. But at length his
speech came TO him, and he requested the
widow to show the lady 10 the room. "My
washerwoman p he said, observing the
widows consternation-" a little debt I've
neglected to pay till Pm almost ashamed to
see her."
His washerwoman," thought the kind
hearted widow, as she returned down stairs
=" poor man, TO think that he should be
troubled with such people, when a wife
when 1 could see 10 having his washing
done without his having care about it at
ALL"
This intercourse between the Major and
his laundress was of rather long duration,
and the anxious widow began TO fear that
they found some difficulty in arranlng their
accounts. But at length, TO her great re-
lief, she saw the woman go away, and heard
the Major close the door after her as she
went out.
From that time forward great change
was observed in the appearance of the Ma
jor. lie seemed troubled with melancholy
reflections, and he did not smile SO sweetly
upon the widow as he was wont. Mrs.
Macarthur thought there were good reasons
for this, for the strange woman haunted the
Major continually, repeating her visits
nearly every day. OF course the widow
was much concerned, for the major did not
appear to appreciate her efforts to please
him as he once did, and the many comforts
she showered upon him seemed now un-
tasted.
What could be the matter with the Major
One afternoon the Major intimated that
he wished to have little business CONVEX
saiion with the widow, aud she accordingly
called on him in his room. He was very
serious, but he pressed the widows hand
more tenderly than was his wont, and re-
garded her with his peculiar look Of kind
ness.
"Pve been thinking" said the Major,
about-hem-you comprehend me, Mrs.
Nc. Arthur-about domestic felicity"
Indeed !''
Yes, ma'am; I've been thinking seri-
ously on the subject. l think l could live
as happy-hem-with a-with wife-hem
-as without one-perhaps great deal
happier"
The widow felt the critical hour had
come, and fearing to break the spell, and
ruin her hopes Of successor to the lament
ed husband, wisely kept silent while the
Major went on.
Il don't see why should enjoy all these
comforts here by myseIf-indeed. my dear
Mrs. Macarthur, it isn't right. Pm sure
should be happier man, if had a wife
sitting where you sit now, while l sit here