Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1858-07-31
NJ | S c E L L A n Y.
THE POT OF GOLD.
A PRETTY CUTE STORY.


Deacon Bancroft, though very good man
in the main, and looked up to with respect by
all the inhabitants of the village of Centreyile.
was rumored to have, in Yankee parlance "a
pretty sharp eye to the main chance-a pecu-
liarity from which deacons are not always ex-
empt.
In worldly matters he was decidedly well to
do, having inherited fine farm from his father,
which was growing yearly more valuable. 1t
might be supposed that under these circum-
stances the deacon, who was fullyhble 10 do so,
would have found help meet to share his house
and name. But the deacon, was wary Mat
rimony was to him in some measure matter
o'-money, and it was his firm resolve not to mar
ry unless he could thereby enhance his worldly
prosperity. Unhappily, the little village of Cen
trevilo and the towns in the immediate vicin-
ty contained few who were qualified in this i'm
portant particular, and of those there were prob
ably none with whom the deacon's suit would
have prospered.
So it happened that year after year passed
away, until Deacon Bancroft was in the prime
of lifc-forty-fye OF thereabouts-and still un-
married, and in all human probability likely to
remain so.
Deacon Bancroft's nearest ncighbor was a
widow.
The widow Wells, who had passed through
one matrimonial experience was some three or
four years younger than the Deacon Bancroft.
She was still quite a comely woman. Unfortu-
nately, the late Mr.. Wells had not been able to
leave her sufficient to make her Independent of
the world All that she possessed was the small
old fashioned house in which she lived, and
small amount of money! which was insufficient
to support her and little son of seven, though
hardly to be classed as 'productiye-of anything
but mischief.
The widow was therefore obliged to take three
or four boarders, to exc out the scanty income,
which of course imposed upon her considerable
labor and anxiety.
1t is not surprising then, that under these
circumstances she should now and then have be-
thought herself Of a second marriage, as meth
cd of bettering her condition? Or again, need
we esteem it special wonder, if, in her rehcc-
tions upon this point she should have cast her
eyes upon her neighbor, Deacon Bancroft p
The deacon, as we have already said was in
hourishing circumstances He would be able
to maintain a wife in great comforts and being
one of the chief personages in the village, could
accord her prominent social position.
Some sagacious person has observed, howev-
er, that it takes two to make match fact to
be seriously considered for in the present case
it was exceedingly doubtful whether the worthy
deacon, even if he had known the favorable
opinion of his next neighbor, would have been
inclined to propose changing her name to Ban
croft, unless, indeed, a suitable motive was
brought to bear upon him. Herewas chance
for finessing.
One evening, after day of fatiguing labor,
the widow Wells sat at the fire in the sitting
room, with her feet resting on the fender.
III ever am so situated as not to have to
work so hard, she murmured, Il shall be happy.
It's hard life, keeping boarders. If was on
ly as well off as Deacon Bancroft
Still the widow kept up her thinking, and by
a!nId-by her face frightened up. She had an
idea which she resolved to put into execution
at the very earliest practicable moment. What
it was the reader will discover in the sequel.
Henry said she to her son the next morn
ing, Il want you to stop at Deacon Bancroft's
as you go along to school, and ask him if he
will call and see me in the course of the morn
ing or afternoon, just as he finds it most con.
yenient
Deacon Bancroft was not little surprised at
the summons. However, about eleven o'clock,
he called in. The widow had got onthe dinner