The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1857-01-21
WO0DSFIELD MONROE COUNTY, OHIO JANUARY d. 1857

baton, he proposed, as being the most
practicable plan, to place her in ciFcun-
stances Of pecuniary independence, by
providing for her house free of rent, and
furnishing it in such style as become
a lady of her rank and rare accomplish
ments. Thus, at least, would the color of
! temptation be removed from one whose
! good name the writer cherished as he did
J the hope of being one day as dear to her
as she already was TO him.
Mrs Insdcn read this letter and put it
in her pocket. After a short time she
read it again, and again put it in her pock-
ct. Alter another short time, she looked
in her mirror and smiled slightly.
/. On the following day, Mrs. Insden re-
ceived another anonymous letter, from
another person. 1t was Il delicate and
aromatic epistie, couched in terms of ten
6erness aud affection, as well as regard
ba;ed upon the writer's acquaintance with
the lady, and upon what he had otherwise
learned in relation to her circumstances.
He was satisfied that she was q lady de-
serving Of assistance, and nothing could
afford greater happiness to one who had
long aud ardentiy adored her, than 10 be
Instrumental in advancing her happiness
lie closed by making a proposal similar
to that in the first letter -
/ + This letter also did Mrs. Insden read
and lace in that interesting receptacle Of
bwhat-aob her pocket She was consider
ling the form OF a reply. to the brace Of
! loving documents which that pocket con
tanned, when anonymous letter number
three arrived. 1t was similar in all essen
tial particulars to the two others.
/ Mrs. Insden's heart ''wens out with
gratitude" towards her afcctionate and
disinterested friends She answered all
their letters, found out their names, and
decided, with singular good judgement, to
accept all three OF their proposals. Why,
she reasoned, are not four strings to a
bow better than one? 1t is but indiIer-
rent music which even the best performers
are abieto execute upon single catgut.
A lover is good thing: three or
four lovers are a much better thing, es-
pecially when it is not difficult for an en-
terprising lady to manage theM property
! 1t is but TO regulate their visits so that
10 one shall meet another, and who of them
will not believe himself to be the sole and
o.ss irsa ilsali.viSaaf in the world.
] lfie When bliss is ignorance,
lis wise to play he fool
as the poet Bingham sarcastically remarks,
in his sE!hgy on McMivins." a.l "a
Mrs Insdcn considered. "Mr. Uterck
shall continue his visits on Sunday even
/ ings; he will not suspect a rival would al
ways take pains to cali at some other time.
Mr.. Obcno shall call on Tuesday evening;
yes-being church member it woald not
do to invite him on Sunday or Wednes-
! day. "Wednesday shall be for Mr. In
slow-lhe laws delays will permit bis com
ing at Que time as well as another; and
for Mr.. Bowner 1 think Fri lay viii do
although belonging to the church, he never
attends the business meetings held on
!. that evening";
We must hasten on. Time viii not
I permit US to enter into particulars, or do
more than simply mention the very deli
cate .Silt-edged notes which Mrs. Insden
despatched TO her several lovers; the pri-
yate interviews which separately took
place between her and them; and the set
tiement Of preiiminaries under their sever
al propositions resolved themselves, under
that lady's skiilful infringement, into one
I and the same thing "A commodious
! dwelling in pleasant and retired location
i i'll State street, was leased and furnished
!, in the most magnificent style, each lover
/, supposing thai the money wherewlthal the
furniture was bought and the rent paid
came solely out OF his pocket. Mrs ms
den alone was acquainted with the inter-
csiing fact that a sum Of money adequate
to do this, did come from the pocket,
not Of one, bat every one of three happy
aud hopeful individuals, and considera-
ole sum, also, from the pocket ofa fourth
Mrs. lnsden, we say, knew this; but She
did not deem it necessary to communicate
the klIowledge to any one else. AS the
poet Bingham face.iously remarks
Il were but little happy, if could say how
much"
which was also the case with Mrs. ms
deu.aa $685. tE
Things passed on smoothly. Each Of
J Mrs lnsden's lovers was assiduous in his
, attentions and punetuai iii his visits. one
evening each week. Each supposed him
self to be the only male personage on the
} globe, whose image was locked in the fair
bosom, and lockeled at the costly girdle
of the charming and immaculate widow;
each fancied he had sort of exclusive
Claim upon her, a fancy which she always
took particular pains to strengthen, when
ever opportunity offered. At leugth Mr..
e Insiow had to go on a journey to the east.
The charming widow Iamented his depar.
5 ture, and insisted upon his calling to see
' her the very moment he returned o
: Icourse he promised. ''Poor thing, though
t he, "she would notliye if I were to deser
e her, she loves me almost to distraction"
: When Mr Bowner came, on Friday, h,
+ also announced to the interesting Mrs