Squatter sovereign., 1855-02-03

asked the widow, with a low courtesy, hf,r
little hands istuck in the pockets of her
jaunty French apron.
'sAs soon rs you like, my dear" an
swered TophEm, surveying her critically
through his glass, and nudging Crabstich,
who wore spsctacles. '.The old fellow had
some aste-ehs A very pretty oatline-=-
free and flowing quite Tithnesquf
and laid oh with fall pencil."9
The widow blushed deeply, as slle caught
the purport q his remarks.
Natural, 1 see. 1 was goingi to ask
you, my dehr, where you bought your
rnadder carrhine. Excuse my liaistake;
but the taste for the fine arts has become
SO general, that even the ladies pa int.
They wen, into dinner, and Mrs. Bref-
ton waited, quietly scrntinizing the guests,
and listeningg auentively to all they said. 4
The broker tnllsed of nothing but stocks,
investments, exchange, foreign securitifs
and the balance of trade, while FFophassh
ratified away !about pictures. horses, actreh-
es, singers, hooks, billiards and scandal. /
'What shall we do to kill time this evf-
ming 2" asked the universal genius. "Lei's
have a game at cards. i
''But there's only two Of us" replied the
broker. "Ha int we Letter see which shal
marry the widow. Wen draw lots"
'Lots! o. that aint funny, and. it's ovrr
too quick. / have it. Suppose we decide
it by cards whist, and the wido'r for she
stakes ?'
"Nhat shall we do for partnersis"
"The old woman and the young one"
said Topham. 'Old woman plays whistls"
he asked of the widow.
81 believe she does, sir"
''And you e. /,
"a little.'fe
every weil;-it's arranged. Are ypu
satisfied, Crabstick !''
"Yes-perfectly."
sWell, then, Fanny, or Julia, Or Mary
Ann, tell 'erh to clear away the tn fngs and
set out the card-table. Anything for a
quiet life. Hurry, now; I'm all imPa-
tience.'
/ After the removal of dinner-ykhen the
brief twilight had merged in darkness, the
candles were lit, and the old housekeeper
in her ceremonial attire, sat down as Crab
sticks partrser, while Topham had .he
pretty Fanny for his gis-a-vis. Tile game
was skillfullt played, but Fortune decid ed
in favor Of youth and beauty. TophaIn
had won the widow.
81 wish you JOY, sir" said the house.
keeper.
"Not before it's wanted, ma'am," repai.
ed Topharn. ''The half million is mine
but where's the grace and beatty that
once swore should il1ume my household
when surrendered my free hearSs"
"Tophams" said the broker, '.ff you're
sick of the bargain, why don't yot, sell out!
You can't come into possession for some
time-and your creditors are pressing. =
Now, I'll give youfifty thousand, cash, and
take the widow off your hands,"
''Fifty thousand and liberty, eh2" cried
Topham, catching at the idea.
/ ''stay" said Mrs. Brenton, Who was
already in love with Topham. "Whene
pray, did you derive your aversion for the
widow 2"
''The portrait, the portrait, Medonna p
'I've heard it said that portraits were
not always like replied the LADY, "Hhd
You not better consult the original before
decidings-
''But how can q
''By looking at me" said the lady, cast
ing down herIeyes.
"You, Fan my! What's the neaningo
this2 Plots and strata gems! Ms. Fidg
ct, you can ehlighten us. Speak! charge
you, on your allegiance, and tell ;me wht
my pretty partner is,'
"Old Mr.. Brentons haughter-ir.;- law ant
heiress, sir, replied tile housekeeoer, Mr.
Fanny Brenton.'
"That was-Mrs. Jack TophaIasn that i
!, to be, Crabstick, refuse yos,I offer!
Eatsy thousand! one fash of her Hack ely,
is worth the money. Ifshe hadn'f a dolla
half million wouldn't make me give he
up." /
So that was the. up4hot of the affair
the broker was diseornf1ed-and tn,
queer mans queer will made very hap
py couple.
ia Over fourteen hundred iivorsrnel
+, are said to be at present busify at work il
the Gosport, (Va.,) navy yard. They ar
building two of the six steam frigates or
D dered by Congress, the Colorado and Ro