Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-11-01

to make all the talk she could. After tea, arm In
arm with the strange gentleman, she walked the
whole length of the village, and away out into the
cemetery. and never returned till the moon was
high ,,,
IA nice looking dress guess she had, j" drawl-
ed out old grandma W., as she listened TO the
widows wanderings.
..Pm GLAD hant got to wash 1t, all draooled
up with dew as it must have been-out uon,t
s'pose she thought or cared word about 1t, sne's
so carried away with him. iii give her piece
of my mind the first time have chance, see II
don't. -,
But the good old dame began to fear she should
never have the desired chance. She hurried
through her washing on Monday, and hoooied O.
ver to the widows as soon as possible. but the
door was locked, and one of the nelghoors sald
Mrs. C. and the gentleman went OH IN carriage
nobody knew where, very early IN the morning
"Yes. and never got home till nine O'Clock IN the
.ven;no ,, Look out widow! Your character is
on the carpet.
If she knew it, apparently she didn't care, for
the next day she went sailing with her beau,
and the next day rambling with him oil to the
mountain, and ON the next forenoon went with HIM
in carriage to the station house, and there not
only wept as she parted from him, but setualy
embraced and kissed him! u
"What, in broad daylight2" exclaimed grand
ma w. "Well, if ever heard or seed the like
ont"
Little Nell, the old LADY, youngest grand child, !,
wondered to herself if it was any worse in broad
DAYLIGHT than any other time. Perhaps you will
wonder too. We do at least.
There was large attendance that afternoon st
the weekly meeting of the sewing socety.-Ev-
erybody went that could possibly leave home.
And what chattering there was when the bus
tie of assembling was over. There was but one
topic but that was all sufficient, all engrossing
the widows beau-for the gentleman must be her
beau-or at least ought to be.
Everybody had something to tell, something to
wonder about. But suddenly every magpie
tongue was hushed, universal stroke of numb
palsy seemed to have fallen on the group, as look
inc up. they perceived The very lady about whom
they were conversug 50 eagerly, standing in the
/, doorway. :,
"Good afternoon, ladies'" said she in her usual
oust way. "I'm glad to see so large and happy
gathering. 1t is beautiful day for our meet
ing" ,,,,.,.,
herself to block of patchwork, inquired for the
sewing silk, which, having received, she sat down
| in the only vacant chair and commenced hem
minq a very red bird, with yellow wing, on to
very green twig, which latter had already been
| hemmed on 10 a square piece OF white cloth, and
! tbe whole when completed, was designed TO form
the twentieth part of the bed spread. She seemed
al enorossed with the birds bill, and spoke TO no
ons F,verybody wondered if she had heard what
thew ware saving when she came in; but her pla-
o;d corn,en2nce soon assured the most fearful, and
every one longed to commence personal attack
OId Grandma ~. was the first to venture. She
meant to ..do up the iaatter" very decately and
in so roundabout way that the lady should not
snsnect her of fcuriusity So she began by pralslng
Mrs C's. dress. -,
"IYhy, it's really beauty. Where did yon
get it?'
Il bought it, was the quick reply.
"liere?"
| NO"
| "Where then 2"
'In New York. last sn5ing,,"
40, yon did, did you? But rnougH'. yoa
wasn't ever going to wear anything but black
again"
Every one scrulinized the lady's face in search
of blush, but It continued as usual, while she
| answered.
81 did think and say SO once, but have fnaiiy
changed my mind"
"You have, ha! What made you 2"
"Oh. had good reasons"
Here the hearers and lockers on, winked and
looked very expressive at each other.
..But did YOU not spoil your beautiful white
dress Sunday night, wearing it away up 10 the
burying ground Z"
II did not ,cear Il !"
Here was dampar to the old lady. She had
such long lecture to read on extravaganza. ana
she was determined to do it toe, when untorlu-
nately for her eloquent strain Mrs. Us. dress had
hunr up in her wardrobe all the time and she had
worn an old black silk.
After while the old lady took fresh start
She would not be so bafled again. She would
find out all ahaut that beau before she went home,
.',hat she would" She began by saying.
"Your company went away this morning, didn't
they 2"
.'1heu did," was the reply.
.IIe didn't stay very long, did heP'
mot SO long as wish he had," was the en-
phalic answer this time.
And how the ladies' looked at each other. 1t
was as good as confession.
"When did he come P'
Saturday evening"
"Was you looking for hin? 2"
81 had been expecting him for fortnight or
more"
"Why, do tell if you had then, and you never
told ont either. Had he any business in the
place ?"
"He had"
"What was t?"
This was rather more direct and blunt than the
old lady had meant to put, and she forthwith a
pologlsed.
but the widow interrupted her by saying:
20, I'D as lief you know as not, he came to see
me-"
n ~ nn
then. Be careful what you say next, or you'll,
have only remnant OF character to 60 home WHIP
and remnants are so very cheap.
"He did. did he, and he didn't come for moths
inc else, then. But was you glad to see him n D
"udeed was. 1t was one of the happIest {
ments of my existence"
mo Ws Ays 1; ws said aid the n old aas,y lady,
we'll, he is real good looking man any ~ Il
IL think 81 too, and he's not only eoTookIng b.
but he's good hearted one of the best M ever
knew" "
"You don't say so But is he rich ~ "
"North thousand or SO" said the Il, care
lessly. OF
"Why, du tell if he is. Why, you ! live II
| like a lady, won't you2 But what's his re 81 II
The old lady's curiosity was how raises the in
highest pitch. as
..fIenry Macon" b,
"Macon Macon! Why wasn't that yoeame hi
| before You were married F' III
at WAS" in
"Then he's connection, is he?" "
"Du tell if he is. then. Not cousin fpe. do
| never think much of marriages between z in
! ms" Sb
'Tdenry is not my cousn.' :
"He isn't. Not your cousin! But what con-
nection is he, du tell, now 2"
"HE IS MY YOUNGEST BROTHER" 1.
Ifever there was rapid progress made in sew,
ing and knitting by any circle ol ladies. it w3 hi
th0se composing this society. for the ne1pen hi