The true Democrat., 1855-01-17
subject occupied the village mind d-the widows

arm in arm with the strange gentleman, she walked the whole length of the village, and away out into the cemetery, and never return ed until the moon was high
 " A nice looking dress I guess she had," drawled out old grandma w., as she listened to the widows wanderings "Pm glad hain't got to wash it, all drabbled up with dew as it must have been; but don't 'spose she thought or cared word about it, she's so carried away with him. But I'll give her a piece of my mind the first time I have chance. see if I 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 hobbled over to the widows as soon as possible but the door was locked, and one of the neigh bors said Mrs. c. and the gentleman went off in a carriage, nobody knew where very early in the morning. Look out, widow-your character is on the carpet
 Ii she knew it, apparently she didn't care, tor the next day she went a sailing with her beau, and the next day, rambling with him of 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 actually embraced and kissed him!
 "What, in broad daylight?', exclaimed grand ma w. We'll, if l ever heard, or seed the like of it."
 Little Nell, the old lady's youngest grand child, wondered to herself if it was any worse in broad daylight than at any other time
 There was a large attendance that afternoon at the weekly meeting of the sewing society. Everybody went that could possibly leave home; and what chattering there was when the bus tie of assembling was over. There was but one bn hot oil cuff, nj oil the widows beau-for the gentleman must be her beau, or at least ought to be. Everybo- dy had something to tell, something to wonder about; but suddenly every magpie tongue was hushed-a universal stroke of numb palsy seemed to have fallen on the group, as, looking up, they perceived the lady about whom they were conversing so eagerly, standing in the doorway.
 "Good afternoon, ladies'" said she in her usual quiet way. "I am glad to see so large and happy gathering. It is beautiful day for our meeting"
 And she proceeded to the table, and helping herself to block of patchwork, inquired for the sewing silk, which having received, she sat down in the only vacant chair, and commenced hemming very red bird with yellow wing, on to very green twig, which latter had alrea- dy been hemmed on to a square piece of white cloth and the whole, when completed, was de- signed to form the twentieth part of a bed spread. She seemed all engrossed with the brd's bill, and spoke to no one. Everybody wondered if she heard what they were saving when she came in; but her placid countenance soon Treasured the most fearful, and every one longed to commence personal attack.
 Old grandma w. was the first to venture.- She meant to "do up the matter" delicately, and in so roundabout way, that the lady should not suspect her of curiosity. So she began by prasing Mrs. C.'s dress.
 "Why it is really beauty. Where did you get it?''
 II bought it," was the quiet reply of the widow.
 "Here?"
 "No"
 "Where then?"
 'In New York; last spring."
 70 you did, did you? But thought you was never going to wear anything but black"
 "[ did think and say so once, but I have finally changed my mind."
 You have, indeed. What made you?''
 70, 1 had good reasons"
 Here the hearers and lockers on winked and looked very eXpressively at each other
 "But did you not spoil your beautiful white dress, Sunday night wearing it away up to the buryng ground?"
 "I did not wear it,''
 Here was a damper to the old lady. She had such long lecture to read on extrava- gance, and she was determined to do 1t, too when, unfortunately for her eloquent strains, Mrs. C.'s dress had hung 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 find out all about that beau before she went home that she would So she began by saying:
 Your company went away this morning, didn't they?''
 "They dido
 He didn't stay very long, did he?'
 Not so long as wished he had," was the emphatic answer this time
 And how the ladies looked at each other-it was as good as a confession.
 "When did he come?"
 Saturday evening""
 "Was you looking for hm?'
 "I had been expecting him for a fortnight"
 "Why, do tell if you had then. And you never told ont it either. Had he any business in the place?'
 He had"
 "What was it?''
 This was rather more direct and blunt than the old lady had meant to put, and she forth with apologized by saying:
 "I didn't mean that 1 only thought I-'
 70, had as liefyou should know as not. He came to see me-"
 o, widow C., did not your good name go down then? Be careful what you say next, or you will have but remnant of character to go home with.
 "He did, did he; and he didn't come for nothing else then. But was you glad to see him?'
 Indeed I was. It was one of the happiest moments of my existence"
 "Well, well," said the old lady, hardly knowing how to frame her next question; "well, we'll he's real good looking man, any way"
 G think so, too; and he is not only good looking but he is good -hearted-one of the best men ever knew
 "You don't say so! But is he rich?''
 "Worth thousand or so,' said the lady, care lessly.