The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1856-05-07
THE WIDOWS BEAU.

|
Services had commenced in the neat little
sanctuary, which the inhabitants Of Harlem
had consecrate1 TO the services of God. The
minister had read the psalms, scripture les
sons, aud had repealed the first line of the
opening hymn. The eyes Of the people were
fixed intently upon him, for he was not only
a sound and eloquent preacher, but he was a
fine looking one, too, and thus enchained not
only the attention of the true, but the false
worshippsrs. The house was very still--the
clear, melancholy tones of the preacher were
the only sounds that throbbed on the balmy
golden air, which the midsummer's Sabbath
NON had breathed into that holy place.
The first syllable of tho second Iips was
trembling on bis lips, when a Tfastie at the
door, and the entrance Of Two persons, a lady
and gentleman, dissolved the.aharm. In a
second every eye turned from the pulpit to
the broad aisle, and watched with more Than
ordinary interest, the progress Of the couple.
A most searching ordeal were they subjected
to, and when fairly and quietly seated in the
first pew, Immediately in front Of the pulpit,
what nudging of elbows there was.-aye,
and how many whispers, too.
In vain the sound, the coed, the eloquent,
the handsome Mr.. B. sought again to steal
The attention of his hearers. They had no
eyes, no thoughts for any bodY else Sut wild.
ow c. and widow C's. young, gentlemanly
and dashing attendant.
How she had cheated them. Hadn't she
said she didn't feel as though she could ever
wear anything but mourningf And in spite
of these protestaiions. hadn'txhe come ou,
all at once, dressed in white, nd walked in.
10 the church in broad daylight, leaning on
the arm OF a young gentlemais
Yes, indeed she had. She would have
plead guilty TO all these charges, grave ones
as they were, and 10 the last two how many
witnesses had been subpenaed ! She W as
actually dressed in white, with open corsage,
displaying an slaborately wrought cbemizetie,
drapery sleeves trimmed with the richest
Mechlin lace, under sleeves ofsthe same ex-
pensive material, with white ]aoe hat with
orange buds and flowers, with kid gloves and
light gailers-such was the description every
lady had on her tongues end, 10 repeat over
as soon as the service was ended.
And the gehtleman-he was dressed in
siyle-didnl he wear white pants OF the latest
pattern, and white vest and > Goa, of satin
sni.h, and white kids, too rsnd didn't be
spon massive cuafu, aud dfSu's uu gaze
often and lovingly on the fair features beside
him?
All yes he did so, and there was no fur
ther room 10 doubt Widow C. had cheated
them. She had won beal, laid aside her
mourning, put on bridal attire and was 60
ing 10 be married in oEuIch. But who the
beau was, and from whence he came, it was
difficult 10 solve.
Services proceeded. The choir sung and
| The minister prayed and preaehed--lhe peo.
pie wondered when the ceremony would take
place.
] Butio their utter asionishment, they were
left 10 wonder.
For when the bensdiciion was pronounced ,
widow C. and the strange gentleman walked
with the rest of the congregation Quietly out
of church. When they had reached The
pavement, he offered her his arm very grace
fully, and she placed her hand very conf.
dentially on the beautiful coat sleeve, as they
passed on.
What morning tina. was in Harlem! Wha:
world of conjeclures, snrmises, inquiries
and doubts rolled over in the brains of not
only gossipping ladies, but sober, matler.of.
fact gentlemen. The like of such a thing
had never occurred in the annals OF the viii
lage--lhere was something new under the
sun a lady had beau, and nobody knew
il.
Widow C didn't your ears burn that days
And we wonder they didn't drop off; surely
they mus, have been crisp and crimson.
The Rev. Mr.. B. preached 10 crowded
house that afternoon; no compliment 10 him,
though. Every one was confident the we'd
ding would take place then, bnt everybody
was sadly disappointed; and if tongues had
run at railroad speed before, they travelled
then on electric wires. The minister might
have preached in Greek that day, and the
sermons would have been quite as edifying.
But one subject occupied the village mind
the Widows beau.
II actually seemed, too, as though the lady
,-tried 10 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 country, and never re.
turned ill the moon was high.
"a nice looking dress. guess she .had,n
drawled out giandma w. as she listened 10
the story of the handsome widows wander
ings. "I'm glad hain't got 10 wash i, all
drabbled up with dew, as it must have been;
, but don't 'sposeShe thought or cared word
, about il, she's so carried away With him.
But TIL give her pleos Of my mind the first
, time have chance; see II don't.
!, But the good old dame beean 10 fear she
would never have the desired chance.
, She hurried through her wishing on Mon
day, and hobbled over ioths WIDOWS as soon
as possible, but the door was locked, and
| one of the neighbors said Mrs. C. and gem
tleman went of in aparriage, nobody knew
L