Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1853-10-05
From Dodge's Literary Museum.
TIE mATCu-HAkITG WIDOW.
ny XARiFFA
CHAPTER FIRST

CHAPTER FIRST.
lis it really true that the Horton
house is to pass into strangers hands 90
'tYes, fully decided, L am told, and
the new occupant takes possession to-
morrow. Herservants are already here. "
Such was the brief conversation of two
individuals who met i'll front of a large
dwelling, whose extended plan and time
shadowed exterior told of older days, and
a far more durable style of architecture
than that of the present time.
This house, situated in one of the most
aristocratic villages of the West, had
once belonged to wealthy and influential
family. Descendants OF a proud line OF
ancestors, they had chosen this retired
spot, where they could revel in the beau
ties which nature had showered there,
and mingle, free from the noise and bus
tie of cl!y. with society fitted for their
own minds and station.
Dr. Horton, with his beautiful wife and
lovely family, was regarded as the first
man in the place and the wide halls of
his hospitabIe mansion often displayed
much of the wealth and beauty of neigh
boring cities, mingling with that which
the village of Preston could so laYishly
afford. Mrs. Horton reigned the ack-
nowledged queen of the circle in which
she moved, and her beauty of person was
united with SO much amiability and gen
tleness OF manner that no heart "knew her
but to love her, nor named her but to
praise"
Long years of apparent prosperity had
passed in quick succession over the roof
tree OF the Horton house, when there
was a sudden and most unexpected clo-
sing up of the Doctors affairs, a rumored
failure, and hasty departure for dis
tant part of the country.
The beautiful house, with its extended
grounds, had been purchased by the
agent Gas report said) of an immensely
wealthy widow, who in grief for the loss
OF her husband. wished for quiet and re
tiremeut, where. undisturbed, she might
indulge the fullness of her sorrow.
There was not little anxiety expert
enced by those who had long known the
Doctors vile, as to what would be the
character of her successor. The village
poor, who for years had been the frecipi-
ents of Mrs. Horizons care and bountv
wept bitter tears when she bade them
goodbye, and shook their heads dolefully
at the uncheer!ng aspect of their pros
poets. and when told that the new conner
was wealthy enough to relieve all their
wants, they only mourned the more and
said there could only be one such hear,
as Mrs. Horizons in all the world. Each
and all the villagers felt it would require
very superior woman TO fill the place
from which she had been so suddenly torn,
and many were the speculations which,
were made upon the probable manners,
habits, and appearance of the lady SO
soon to be in their midst.
The rain fell in torrents, and the streets
we.e deiuged in the pools of water which
g3shed into the fresh wagon tracks, and
ti'ed up the new footprints as they were
tormed by the few who were forced to
brave the drenching storm as thew burri-
ed to or from their places of business.
Twilight had faded softly into nipbt
and lamp cast its effulgent rays far
through the vast hall OF the Horton house
AS the stage Mt last ratified up to the door