Brookville American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1858-1861, 1858-07-23
Sclect M:iscellanp.
THE Tot OF GOLD.

Deacon Bancroft, though very good
man IN the main, and looked up TO with
respect by all the Inhabitants ot the vii
lage of Centrcville, was rumored to have,
ia Yankee pai.lance. n pretty sharp eye
10 the main chance IA popularity from
which deacons arc MT always exempt.
In worldly matters he was decidedly
we'll tn do, having inherited fine farm
from his father, which was growing year
iy more valuable. ii mightbe supposed
that under these circumstances, the de;I
r-vf,, ze1-, fslts' -s. Sx-if.ll
have found u hclpmatc 10 share his house
aml name But the deacon was wary.
Matrimony was to him in some measure
A matter of money; aud it was his firm
resolve not to marry unless he could
thereby enhance his worldly prosperity.
Unhappiv, the village OF Centreville and
the towns in the immediate vicinity con
tanned few who were qualified in this
important particular, and of these there
were probably none with whom the
deacon SUIT would have prOspercd.
So it happened that year after year
passed away, until Deacon Bancroft was
IN the prime OF life, forty.hvc Or there
abouts, and still unmarried, and in
all human probability likely to re.
main SO.
Deacon Bancroft's nearest ncighbor
was widow.
The widow Wells, who had passed
through one matrimonial experience,
was some three or four ycars younger
than Deacon Bancroft. She was still
auitc "A comely woman. UntW tunately
.hc late Mr. Wells had not been able to
leave her sufficient to mako her indie
pendent OF the world. All that she
possessed was the small, old fashioned
house in which she lived, and u small
amount oi money, which was sutiicie I
to support her aud little son ot seven
though hardly to be cla>scd as 'produc
1--WE vi anything but mischief
The widow was, therefore, obliged To
take three or four boarders, to ekc ouI
her scanty income, which, Of course,
imposed upon her considerable labor
aud anxiety.
II is not surprising, then, that under
the circumstances, she should now anu
then have bcthought herself OF II second
marriage, rs u method OF bettcring her
cOnditloh. Or ngain, need We esteem
it special wonder, VI, IN her reflections
upon this point, slc should have cast
her eyes upon her nclghbor, Deacon
Bancroft The deacon, rs We have al
ready said, was in fourishing circum.
stances. He would be able To maintain
wife in great comfort; and being ON,
OF the chief personugcs in the village
could accord her u prominent socia
position.
lie was not especially handsome, Oh
calculated 10 make an impression upon
tic female hcart-this was true---but h,
WAS OF good disposition, kind. hearted
aud would no doubt make very
good sort of husband. A desirabl,
match.
Some sagacious person, however, ha,
observed that il takes two to make
match. II fact to be scriously ly considered
Tor IN the present ease il was cxccedingl,
doubtful whether the worthy deacon
even il hc had known the favorabl,
opinion OF his next ighbor, would hav,
inclined to propose changing her nam,
to Bancroft, unless, indeed, n suitabI,
motive brought to bear upon him. Her,
was chance Tor financering.
Ono evening, after u day of fltiguinl
labor, tho Widow Wills sat at the tife i
the sitting room, with her ieet rcstin:
upon tho finder.
III ever am so situated as not t
have To work 50 hard, sho murmurcd
Il shall be happy. Its n hard life keep
ling boardcrs. II ] was only us we'll u
as Deacon Bancroft"
] Still tho widow kept up her thinking