Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1857-10-22
Gboite MiseelIang.
THE WIDOWS BEAU.

Services had Commenced in the neat little
sanctuary which the inhabitants of Fair
mount had consecratet to the services ot
God. The minister had reached the pslams
and Scripture lesson, and the first line OF
the opening hymn. The eyes of the peo-
pie were fixed intently upon him, for he was
not only good, sound, eloquent preacher,
but he was a ine-looking one, too, and thus
enchained not only the attention of the true
bu: of the false worshippers. The house
was very still-the clear, nelodious tones
of the speaker were the only sounds that
throbbed on the balmy, 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
oftwo persons, lady and gentleman, dis
sOlvsd the charm. In second every eve
turned from the pulpit to the broad ais e,
and watched with more than ordinary eager
ness the progressing ofthe couple. A most
searchinsordeal were they subjected to-;
and when quietly seated in the front pew,
Immediately in front of the pulpit, what d
nudging of elbows there was-ay, how
many whispers, 100.
In vain the sound, the good, the eloquent
MIR. D. sought again to steal the at
tention of his hearers. They had no
thoughts or eyes for anybody else but the
widow, and the widow E-'s Young,
genteel, and dashing- looking attendant.
How she had cheated them! Hadn't she
said she didn't feel as though she could 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 daylight, leaning on
the arm of young gentleman!
Yes, indeed, she had. She would plead
guilty to all these charges grave ones as
they; and on the last two, how many wit
nesses had been sopened! She was actually
dressed in white; a beautiful robe of India
null, tucked to the waist with an open Cor
sage, disp aging the elabQrately-wrounht
shemisette. drapery-trimmed sleeves; trimmed
with the richest MechliB lace, uRdersleeves
OF the same expensive material, white
Grape shawl, white lace hat, with orange
buds and flowers, white kid gloves and ligh,
gaiters-such was the description every lady
had on her tongues end to repeat over as
sDon as the service was ended.
Ana the gentleman-he was dressed in
style. Don't he wear white pants of the
latest pattern, and white vest, and coar
of satin fnish,' and white kids, too, anc
don't he sport massive chain, and didn't
he gaze often and lovingly at the fair crea
ture beside him!
Yes, he did so, and there is no furthe
room to doubt. Widow E. had cheat
ed them. She had won a beau, laid asid,
her mourning, put on bridal attire, AM
was going to be married in church. VIII,
the beau was, or whence he anne, wa
more d fficult to solve.
Service proceeded. The choir sung, an
the minister prayed and preached-the peo
pie wondered when the ceremony too
place.
To their utter astonishment they wer
lett to wonder.
For when the benediction was pronounced
widow E. and the strange gentlema
with the rest of the congregation quietl
left the church. When they reached tn
pavementsshe offered her his arm very grace
fully, and she placed her hand very conf
dinghy on the beautifully soft coat sleeve q
they passed on.
What morning was that in Fhirroun,
What a world of conjectures, surmises, in
quiries and doubts rolled over and over i
The brain, not only of the gossiping ladies
but sober matter os fact. The like of sue
thing had never occurred in the village
There was something new under the SUI
a lady had beau and nobody knew it.
Oh, widow E., didn't your ears bur
all that dayi
We wonder they didn't drop of. Surel
they must have been crisp and crimson.
The Rev. Mr.. D--preached to
crowded house that afternoon; no compl
ments to him, though. Every one was SUI
the wedding would take place then; b,
everybody again was disappointed, and
tongues had run at railway speed befor
they travelled then on the electric wire
The minister might have preached in Gree
that day, and his sermon would have bee
quite as edifying. One subject alone occ1
pied the village mind-the widows beau.
1t actually seemed, too, as though Il
lady tried to make as much talk as 81
could. After tea, arm in arm with tt
strange gentleman, she walked the who
length of the village, and away into Il
cemetary, and never returned till the moo
was high.
Look out, widow! Your character is
the carpet.