The Minnesotian. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1851-1852, 1851-10-22
Ovid's Art of Love.

In the life of the millionaire John McDon-
ough-ln which love and business were
valiantly sought to be mixed I'D in the
same transaction. The legend runs thus :
Mr.. McDonough had reached mature
age. He was grave and sedate for his
years. His landed possession were large
even then. He had commenced his grand
design of surrounding the city, as he
said, with his lines of decentralization.
But, unfortunately, some lands interviewed
which belonged to a very wealthy and
gay widow lady. Mr.. McDonough en-
deavored to purchase these lots. He sent
great many persons, who offered the
widow very large price for her prop
erty, but she would not sell-he in the
meantime remaining secret, not allowing
it to be known that he was the person in
pursuit of this property. At last one
day, what was the surprise of the widow
to be waited upon by the wealthy John
McDonough himself, dressed in bran
new suit, with spotless white vest and
cravat, and bearing under his arm that
identical green umbrella, which twenty
years afterwards constituted one of the
peculiarities of his appearance in our
streets. Shown into the ladies' parlor,
Mr.. McDonough, upon The appearance of
the widow, Immediately commenced to
unfold the object of his visit. He stated
that he owned large possessions, and hop
ed, ere he died, to possess the greater
part Of the landed estate in Louisiana
that this was the darling object of his
ambition, but, unfortunately, his own
means were not adequate to the attain
ment of his aim. He only lacked one
thing-at the same time iniusing all the
humanity of his soul into the big baslislS
eyes which glared upon the handsome
face of the widow. "1Vhat was that?
What could Mr.. McDonough want?" in
quircd the lady. With his usual bu>i-
ness like promptness, Mr.. McDonough
replied, ''your hand, madam.' MY
hand?" exclaimed the lady, bursting out
into laughter. Together" added Mr..
McDonough, with your swamp lands in
the city!' What followed the legend
omis; but the result was; that Mr.. Nc
donough was seen to leave the widows
house with countcnance dcnoting indig-
nation and surprise. He vowed revenge
and lived to execute it.
Years afterwards, the same widow, hav-
ing been offered a large price for piece
of city property, found that two lots at the
corner Of the square, which was chiefly
owned by her, were the property of Mr..
McDonough. 1t was necessary that she
should have these two lots to complete her
! sale, They had cost Mr.. McDonough
but few hundred dollars What was
her surprise on sending broker to him, 10
be informed that he might take $4,000,
but nothing less. The widow determined
TO try the virtue Of little personal per-
suasion, perhaps she could kindle the old
| flame, and thus induce him to relax. Ac-
cordngly, she paid him visit. She found
him at his dreary old house at McDon-
oughvillc. He was buried in musty papers
surrounded by his negro clerks, copying
records. A single empty chair sat in the
room. The widow took this, and mme-
diately commenced the object of her mis-
sion. Great was her surprise TO be in
formed by Mr.. McDonongh, that it was
impossible for him to sell the lots in ques-
ton. He owned no property himself
1t was all God Almighly's whose agent
he was, without the power to sell.
At last, having exhausted all other arts,
the lady thought she would try the efec.
of old "reminiscences and associations, so
she blushingly and softly inquired of the
old millionaire how it was that though he
had once offered her his heart and hand
and was now unwilling to grant her this
small privilege. THAT" responded the
hard-hearted votary of Mammon "was
many years ago; then l was thoughiless
and giddy, and you, madam, were young
and handsome"