Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-03-14
THE WIDOWS BEAU.
BY MISS CAROLINE soULE.

0OOLEs
Services had commenced in the neat little
sanctuary, which the inhabitants of Fair
mount had consecrated to the service of God
The minister had reached the psalms and
scripture lesson, and the first lines of the
opening hymn. The eyes of the people were
liked ~intently upon him, for he was not onlv
a good sound eloquent preacher, but he was
a tine looking one too, and thus enchanted
not only the attention of the true but the
false worshippers. The house was yery still
the clear melodious tones of the speaker
were the only sounds that throbbed on the
balmy, golden air, which the midsummer,s
Sabbath morn had breathed into that holv
place.
The first syllable of the second lines was
trembling on his lips, when a rustic at the
door, and the entrance of two persons, a lady
and q gentleman, dissolved the charm. In
a second every eye turned from the pulpit to
the broad aisle, and watched with more than
ordinary eagerness the progress of the couple.
A most searching ordeal were they subjected
to, and when fairly and 9uieted seated in
the front pew, Immediately in front of the
pulpit, what a nudging of elbows there was
aye, and how many whispers too.
In vain the sound, the good. the eloquent
the handsome Mr.. B. sought again to steal
the attention of his hearers, They had no
eyes or thoughts for any body else but widow
c., and widow C's young, geDteel and dash.
ing attendant.
How she had cheated them. HADN'T she
said she did'nt feel as though she could ever
wear anything but mourning? And in spite
OF these protestations, hadn't she come out
all at once, dressed in white, and walked
into the church in broad day light, leaning
on the arm of a young gentleman?
Yes, indeed she mad She would have
plead guilty to all these charges, grave ones
as they were, and to the last two how MANY
witnesses had been subpeened. She was ac-
tually dressed in white-with an open eorsaoe
displayed an elaborated wrought chimisette
drapery sleeves, trimmed with the richest
Mechlln lace, undo sleeves of the same az
pensive material, with q white lace hat With
orange buds and flowers, with kid glove.
and hight galters-such was the description
every lady had on her tongues end to reneat
over as soon as the service was ended.
And the gentleman-he was dressed :,
style-don't he wear white pants of the latest
pattern, and a white vest, and a coat of satin
nnlsh,' and white kids too; and didn't he
sport O massive chain, and didn't he oaza
often lovingly on the fair creature beside
him
All, yes, he did so, and there was no f,r.
Their room to doubt. Widow c.. had cheated
them. She had won a beau, laid aside her
mourning, put on a bridal attire. and was
going to be married in church. But who
the beau was, and of whence he came. was
more difficult to solve.
Services proceeded. The choir sumo and
the minister prayed and preached-t6e neo-
pie wondered when the ceremony would take
place.
But to their utter establishment thew were
left to wonder.
For when the benediction was pronounced
widow c. and the strange gentleman walked
with the rest of the congregation quietly out
of church. When they reached the pave
ment ne offered her his arm very gracefully
and she placed her arm very confdingly on
the beautiful coat sleeve as they PASSED on
What a morning that was in Fairmount
What a world of conjectures, surmises. in.
quiries and doubts rolled over and over n
the brains of not only gossiping ladies, but
sober matter of fact gentlemen. The like of
such a thing had never occurred in the an.
nails OF the village. There was something
new under the sun a lady had a beau. and
nobody knew it.
Widow Q. didn't your ears burn that dav,