The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1858-10-28

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It is not surprising then, that under
these circumstances she should now and
then have bethought herself of second
marriage as method Of bettering her
condition Oragain, need we esteem il
special wonder, if, in her reflections on
this point. she should have cast her eyes
upon her neighbor, Deacon Bancroft
The deacon, as we have already said, was
in fourishing circumstances. He would
be able to maintain wife in great com
fort; and being one Of the chief person
ages inthe village, could accord her a
prominent social position.
Some sagacious person has observed.
however, that it takes two to make bar
gain, fact seriously to be considered
for. in the present case twas exceeding
ly doubtful whether the worthy deacon,
even il he had known the favorable opin-
ion of his next neighbor, would have
been inclined to propose changing her
name to Bancroft, unless, indeed, suit
able motive was brought TO bear upon
him. Here was chance for finessing
One evening after day of fatiguing
labor, the widow Wells sat at the fire in
the setting room, with her feet resting
on the fender. .....
'If ever am so situated as not to have
to work so hard, she murmured, shall
be happy. It's hard life keeping boar
ders. If was only as we'll off as Deacon
Bancroft W., M .a
Still the widow kept up her thinking,
and by-and-by her face frightened up.
She had an idea, which she resolved to
put into execution at the earliest practi-
cable moment.
Henry said she to her son the next
morning. 4 want you to stop at Dea-
con Bancroft's as you go along to school,
and ask him if he will call and see me in
the course Of the morning or afternoon,
just as he finds it most convenient
Deacon Bancroft was not little sur
prised at the summons. However, at
about eleven O'Clock, he called in. The
widow had got on the dinner and had
leisure to sit down. She appeared lit
tie embarrassed.
Henry told me that you would like to
see me- he commenced.
Yes, Deacon Bancroft, l do, but am
very much afraid you will think very
strange Of it--at least of what have to
say to you
The Deacon very politely promised not
to be surprised. although at the same
time his curiosity was excited.
Suppose, said the widow, casting
down her eyes mind, l am only sup
posing the case--suppose person should
find pot fgold pieces in their cellar,
would the law have a right to touch it
or would it belong TO them 2
The deacon pricked up his ears.
"A pot gold pieces. widow? Why,
PROFESSIONALLY. the law would have moth
ing to do with it.
And the one who formerly owned the
house, couldn't come forward and claim
it, could he. deacon 2 inquired the wild
ow, with apparent anxiety
No madam, certainly not-when the
house was disposed Of, everything went
with it. as matter of course
/ am glad to hear it, deacon. You
won't think strange Of the question. bul
it happened to occur to my mind, and /
thought would ike to have it satisfied.
Certainly. widow. certainly, said the
deacon abstractedly. n
| And deacon, AS you are here, hope
you'll stop to dinner with us. 1t will be
ready punctually at twelve
We'll, no. said the deacon. Il am
obleeged to ye. but they'll be expecting
me at home
al any rate. Deacon said the widow,
taking steaming mince pie from the
oven = won't you take piece Of mince
pieg You must know that rather pride
fmysslf on my mince pies.'
The warm pie sent forth such deli
lcious odor. that the deacon was sorely
tempted, and laying. well. really. with
the intention Of refusing. he finished by
saying On the whole guess 1 will,
as it looks SO nice.' as..
! The widow was really a good cook. and
the deacon ate with much gusto the gen.
erous slice the widow cut for him !; and
after liftle more chatting upon unim-
portant subjects. Withdrew III some men.
tai perplexity. s,
Was it possible thought he. .tha
the widow could really have found q POI
of gold in her cellar? She did not "a,
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