Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1853-11-23
From Dodge's Literary Museum.
THE MATCH-MAKING WIDOW.
by XARIFFA.
CHAPTER THIRTEENTH.

by XARIFTA.
CHAPTER THIRTEENTH.
In an obscure village. in the vicinity of
the one in which our scene is laid, at
nlghtlall, and alone, near the corner of
street, stood ii woman. Her tattered
dress and bare head betokened poverty,
as much as her face and figure indicated
the extreme of dissipation She appear
ed to be anxlously awaiting some one,
and in her agitation walked rapidly back
and forth along the narrow street.
AT length, low shril whistle sounded
near her, which she readily answered,
and. the next moment Il stout-built, impo-
sing looking man stood before her.
6 Are you tired OF waiting, Bess ?'' ex
claimed he, with IluLh, as he chuckeL
her under the chin.
AYE, thought You were never CO.
ming" answered the woman pettishly.-
1.-The night is cold too, and these rars
are hardly calculated to keep the chill
out" and she lifted IL portion Of her dress
in her meager hand.
6 Don't speak of rags, BeSs. You
shall walk in your silks and roll in your
carriage, ere long, if you're only true to
me- and perform your part of the plot"
g Did ye git the. .letlher [ sent ye ?'' in
qulred the woman, anxiously.
:" Ay, ay," all right in that quarter,
and my success was complete when |
read 1t in the presence of my title loving
friends, and displayed the many post
marks it bore. Pray, how did you ma
mage that SO nicely ~
Have | ever failed vet 90
"No. Bess, you've not-I'll say that
for you. Keep doing, my beauty, and
you shall share a fortune that will make
you forget you ever was poor ?''
6 Sure, an it's bowld game yer
playing, Bill. Ii ye should be found out,
ye'd'-
:" No fear of it, Bess my plans are too
deeply laid. But came to see you about
another letter. must have one from n,y
"'acle Tomorrow. Can you manage it 2"
The woman stood a moment in deep
thought, then replied
Yes, if yen stay and write it your
self | can do the tinant, but l can't ape
tie gintleman as you can"
30, but my dear friends couldn't do
without me at the village tonight
"Can't help it. Send them word ye're
detained out, or something of the sort
| can't do it widout ye. Hark didn't
ye hear noise? What if any ones been
lisnin' 90
And if they had, what could they
understand ?'' returned the man with a
short laugh.
At this moment, the tall figure of
man came forth from the shadow of
huge sycamore, near by, and walked with
steady steps past the speakers. 1t was
too dark to distinguish his features, and
knowing that the same cause rendered him
safe from recognition, the companion of
Bess hit upon bold project to send his
note to the desired destination.
Gone moment sir, if you please?" said
he, stepping forward and accosting the
stranger.
The man stopped.
" You walk in the direction of Pres
ton. May l inquire if that is your destf-
nation tonight ?''
"What is that to you, sir % returned
the other gruffly.
'tI beg pardon if offend sir. | am
extremely anxious to send message
thither, and unless l can find some one
who is going there, must be deeply dis
appointed"
A momentaIy pause followed, and the
stranger replied in accents scarcely a
degree softened- 49,
'' Give it to me then, if that is your
object, can oblige you
&c Can you wait ten minutes ?''
'' will do sou
" Where will you wait 90
&c Right here.''
&c All right sir.'
And darting down a narrow alley, Bill.
as the woman called him, fastened into a
broader street and sought small store
at the corner. Here he procured some
writing materials, and hastily inditino a
note, sealed and directed it, and hasten.
ed back to the old sycamore.
The stranger was impatiently walking
back and forth beneath its shadowy brhn,
ches.
:" If you will see that this reaches the
widow Forests. to night. you will confer
lasting obligation, SIR said Bill, hand
ing him the note.