Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1857-01-30

MISCELLA Y.
The WlhnM,s Renm.

Servit had commenced in the neat little
sanctus ry, which the inhabitants Of Fair
mount had consccratcd to the service Of
God. The minister had reached the psalm
and scripture lesson, and the first lines of
the opening hymn. The eyes Of the people
ere fixed intcntly upon him, for he was
n ct only a good sound and eloquent
preacher but he was fine looking one, too,
Ind thus enchained not only the attention
CT the true but the false worshiprcrs. The
house was very still-the clear, melodious
tones of the speaker were the only sounds
that throbbed on the halmy, golden air,
which the midsummer Sabbath morn had
breathed into that holy place. The first
syllable of the second line was trembling on
the lips when a rustic at the door, and the
entrance OF two persons, Il lady and gentle
man, dissolved the charm. In 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 quietly
seated in the front pew, Immediately in
front of the pulpit, what a nudging Of e.
bows there was-aye, and how many whis-
pers, too.
In va in 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 anybody else but
widow c. and widow Cs young. genteel
and dWshing looking attendant.
How she had cheated them Hadn't che
said she didn't 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
We liked into the church in broad daylight
leaning on the arm OF young gentleman =
Ye, indeed she had She would have
plead guilty to all these charges, grave ones
as they were, and to the last two how many
witnesses might have been subpmnacd. She
was actually dressed in white. \ beautiful
robe OF India null, tucked to the waist
with an open cOrsage displaying an elabo-
ratel wrought chemsette, drapery sleeves,
trim med with the richest Mechlin lace, un-
ders eeves of the same expensive material, a
whi te Grape shawl, white lace hat with
ora nge buds and flowers, white kid gloves
an light CATERS such was the description
every lady had on her tongues end to re-
Ieat over as soon as the service was ended.
And the gentl eman-ho was dressed in
lyle. DOnt he wear white pants of the
latest pattern, and a white vest, and coat
of" satin finish, and white kids, too and
don't he sport massive chain, and diIn t
he gaze often and lovingly ON the far crca-
ture besides him
All, yes, he did so, and there was no fur
ther room to doubt. Widow c. had cheated
them She had won beau, laid aside her
mourning, put on a bridal attire. and was
going to be married in church But who
the beau was, or whence lac came, was more
difficult to solve.
Service proceeded. The choir sung aud
the minister prayed and preachel-the peo-
pie wondered when the ceremony would
take place,
But to their utter astonishm ent thcywero
left to wonder.
For when the bencdiction was pronoun-
eed, widow G, and the strange gentleman
walked with the rest Of the congregation
quietly out Of church. When they reached
the pavement, he offered her his arm very
gracefully, and she placed her hand very
confdingly on the beautiful soft coat slecye
as they passed on.
W hat morning that was in Fairmount
What world Of con lectures, surmises. in
quirles and doubts rolled over and over in
the brain of not only gossipling ladies', but
sober matter Oi-hct gentlemen. The like
Of such q thing had never occurred in the
village. There was something new under
the sun lady had beau and nobody
knew ii.