The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-03-05
THE INcoNsoLABLE WIDOW.

The following lively narrative. is trans
lated and culled from the columns Of the
Courier des Etats Unis. The malicious
writer dates from Paris:
How rapid is the progress Of oblivion,
with respect to those who are no more!
How many quadrile, shall we see this
winter, exclusively made up from the rank
Of inconsolable widows! Widows of this
order exist only in literature Of the tomb
stone. In the whole world, after the lapse
OF certain period, there is but one sort
of widows sinconsolable- who refuse
to be comiorted, because they can't get
married again?
One of our most distinguished sculptors
was summoned, short time since, to the
house Of young lady, connected, by birth
with family Of the highest grade in the
aristocracy Of wealth. and united, in mar
riage, to the heir Of title illustrious in the
military annals of the empire. The union,
formed under the happiest auspices, had
been, alas! Of short duration. Death, un.
plying death, had ruptured it. by prema-
turely carrying off the young husband.
The sculptor was summoned by the widow.
He traversed apartments silent and de-
sorted, until he was introduced into bed.
room, and found himself in presence Of a
lady, young and beautiful, but habited in
the deepest mourning, and with face fur
rowed by tears.
"You are aware," said she, with pain
full effort, and voice half choked with
sobs, "you are aware of the blow which
have received?'
The artist bowed with an air Of respect
ful coincidence.
"Sir," continued the widow. 81 am an.
xious to have funeral monument erected,
in honor of the husband whom ! have lost"
The artist bowed again.
81 wish that the monument should be
superb, worthy of the man whose loss |
weep, proportioned TO the unending grief
into which his loss has plunged me. |
care not what it costs. am rich, and !
will willingly sacrifice all my fortune to do
honor to the memory of an adored hus-
band. | must have temple-with col
umns-in marble-and in the middleton
q pedestal-his statue?"
81 will do my best TO fulfil your wishes,
nv dear madam" replied the artist; shut
1 had not the honor Of acquaintance with
the deceased, and likeness Of him is in.
dispensible for the due execution of my
work. Without doubt, you have his ori-
ginal"
"Those are his very features, sir; it is
himself. 1t wants but life. All | would
that could restore it to him even at the
cost of all my blood"
81 will have this portrait carried to my
studio, and promise you that the marble
shall re. produce it exactly"
The widow, at these words, sprang up,
and with single bound, throwing herself
towards the picture, with arms stretched
out as though to defend it, exclaimed
"Take away this portrait! carry off my
only consolation! my sole remaining COM
fort! neverl never!"
"But, madam, you will only be deprived
of il for short time, and"
h"Not an hour! not minute could ex.
ist without his beloved imagel Look you,
sir, | have had it placed here, in my own
room, that my eyes might be fastened up
on it without oeasing, and through my
tears. His portrait shall never leave this
spot one single Instant and in contem-
plating that will pass the remainder Of a
miserable and sorrowful existence"
ain that case, madam, you will be COM
pelled to permit me to take copy Of it.
But do not be uneasy--I shall not have
occasion to trouble your solitude for any