The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1852-10-28


even they were beautiful her teeth
were the finest 1 ever saw and l
Ioplne no woman can lay claim to
beauty who cannot show, nay even dis
play, her te til. She bore an easy, dig
nifed, and complaisant smile her fig
ure was OF the strictest proportions, and
f carriage most graceful moreover, she
was rich and consequently amiaJls. She
5 was a widow, too 1; and while she smiled
on all, and enamored many, she never
/ gave more than hope, and preserved all
her own freedom. The women who
wished her dead, or married, conse-
Iquently called her a coquette, and some
of the rieurgareOns agreed with them
but this was suspicious evidence; while
the younger men, whom the aunts and
mothers of standing spinisters admonish-
ed to beware of the widow, only bowed
and then turned on their heels to laugh.
The first time 1 met her, glove
which she dropped, and which l prof
fered her, gave me an opportunity of
opening a conversation with her. At
hrst, conscious of my youth, I hesitated
little, although my looks bespoke an
age rlper, by some years, than 1 had
attained but her answers were SO mild,
so suare, and SO ccndescending-her
manner so kind and easy-and her
whole conduct SO engaging and assuring
that, before left her, l had although
blushingly, adventured on some little
gallant bandinage, for which, to the
modification of my elder competitors,
she shook her delicate finger at me with
her fan. Encouraged thus, l might
have proceeded farther; but as She
knew how to commence a conquest, SO
she knew how to continue one, and as
suming dignity, not violent, but per-
ceptible, she restrained my further
advances and being tn sensible that
an independent respect is the surest way
to woman's heart (for I begun to
think of hers,) l contented myself for
that time, by expressing hope that
should have the happiness to meet her
again, and bowed myself away.
That night | rose fifty per cent. in
my own esteem. Truly" said 1 to
myself, the man whom that woman
must own some attractions
she is lovely and intelligent specimen
OF her sex; to possess the love ofsuch a
one would be something to pride oneself
on What honor is the love of a giddy,
indiscriminating girl, who runs the
market of matrimony with her heart in
her hand eager to bcstow it on the first
bidder! Truly, I'll be chapman no
more for such wares. But vanity
vanity! Can the rich, beautiful, sought,
and at an age when prudence had mas
tered passion, th nk of such an one as
me Yet she seemed to be so kind
" But kindness never marries," said a
small voice. Yet she oftimes gives
birth to love, l thought, in answer.
{" But she is wealthy, has wide range
for choice, is widow, and has the whole
town after her." replied my monitor.
&c True, true," 1 whispered, "but she
has interested me, and by - I'll try
it 7" m 4
Again we met" Et je comtais encore /,
guelgues tenrettes." The widow smiled
at them, and threatened if l persisted,
to reprove me. 4" Celia ca bien," said | S
to myself, and 1 retired for my vanity t
or little else, was as yet interested.
A third time We met. "Now then. t
said l, {" for the coup d'cs- i
time you must be serious and
distant, and if she has thought upon you, I
the result will tell" approached her S
with low and most respectful rever- S
enee; inquired after her health with I
out giving her time to answer, made t
some dry remark on the wet weather, II
broached recent murder; remarked y
on the Almanac, and the last new S
founcc; and was refining, when she
said f.. 70
"But, Mr.. Montague, I wish to q
trouble you with commission, if you y
can find time to execute it for me-" b
| assured her l was at her service. .r
Then will you have the goodness to S
see my carriage ordered here at twelve,
ns | have been out all the week and am 3
fatigued. Perhaps you will let me 9
know when it is at the door, as I dont't i
wish to be seen leaving so early"
AHons bon mon ami, Ephraim," !
thought I, "celc va du mie,sz." And v
her for the honor of her com- b
mands in tone of deep and grateful S
respect, l left her to execute them. Z