Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-03-10
THE POT OF GOLD:
OR THE WIDOWS sTRATAGEM.


OR THE WIDOWS sTRATAGEM.
Deacon Bancroft, though very good man
I'm the main, and looked up to with respect by
all the inhabitants of the little village of Cen
tersville, was rumored to have, in Yankee
parlance, ga pretty sharp eye to the main
chance''-a peculiarity from which even dea-
cons are not always exempt.
In worldly matters he 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 fully able to do
sn. would have found a help-mate to share his
house and name. Matrmony was to him in
some measure matter o'money, and il was
his firm resolve not to marry unless he could
thereby enhance his worldly prosperity. Un-
happily, the little village of Centereville and
the towns in the immediate vicinity contained
few who were qualified in this important par
ticuiar, and of those there were probably none
with whom the deacon's suit would have pros
pcrcd.
So it happened that year after year passed
away, until Deacon Bancroft was in the prime
of Hfe-forty-f1ve, thereabouts-and still
remained unmarried, aud in all human proba-
bilIty likely to remain so. But in all human
calculations of this kind, they reckon i'll who
leave widows OFT.
Deacon Bancroft'S nearest neighbor was a
widow.
he W ltlOW W ellis WHO Hau passed. through
one nlatr .monal experience was some three or
tour years younger than Deacon Bancroft.
She was still quite a bnXom, comely woman,
as widows are apt to be. Unfortunately. 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 a
small amount of money which was insufficient
10 support her and little son OF seven, like
wise 10 be enumerated in the schedule of her
property, though hardly to be classed as sSpro-
ductive''-of anything but mischief
The widow was therefore obliged to take
three or four boarders, to exc out her scanty
income, which of course imposed upon her
considerable anxiety.
Is ii surprising that under these circum-
stances she should now and then have be-
thought herself of 4 second marriage, as a
method of bettering her condition? Or again,
need we esteem it special wonder, if, in her
reflections upon this point, she should have
cast her eyes upon her next door neighbo-,
Deacon Bancroftl The deacon, as we have
already said, was in flourishing circumstances.
lie would be able to maintain wife in great
comfort; and. being one of the chief person
ages in the village, could accord her & promi-
nent social position. He was not especially
handsome, or calculated to make 4 profound
impression upon the female heart-this was
true--but he was of good disposition, kind
hearted, and wou.d no doubt make & very good
sort of husband. Widows arc, j take it, (lf
any shall do me the honor to read this story. l
trust they viii forgive the remark,) less dis
posed to weigh sentiment in second alliance
than first, and so in the widows point OF
view, Deacon Bancroft was a very desirable
match.
Some sagacious person. however observed
that it takes two to make a match, fact to be
seriously considered for in the present case
it was exceedingly doubtful whether the wor-
thy deacon, even if he had known the favora-
BILE opinion of his next neighbor, would have
been inclined to propose changing her name
to Bancroft, unless indeed, suitable motive
was brought to bear upon.
Here was chance for finessing, wherein
widows said, as a general thing, to be ex-
pert.
One evening after day of fatiguing labor
the Widow Wells sat at the fire in the sitting
room. with her feet resting npon the fender.
ssIfI am ever so situated as not to have te
work so hard - she murmured, sci shall be
happy. It's hard life, keeping boarders II
was only as we'll off as Deacon Bancroft
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 practical moment
What it was, the reader will discover IN the
seqncl-
t.Henry.'' said she to her son the next NOR
ming. 81 want YOU to stop at Deacon Bancroft s
as you go to school, ana ASK niin IL ho WI
cali and see me in the course OF the morning
or afternoon, just as he finds 1t most conSe
nient.''
Deacon Bancroft was little surprised a
the summons. However, about eleven Q, cioch
he called in The widow had got on the am
ner, and had leisure to sit down. She appear
ed little embarrassed.
"Henry told me that you would like to see
me-" he commenced.
eyes, Deacon Bancroft, do, but I'm very
much afraid you will think strange OF ia
least of what L have to say to you.
The deacon very politely promised not U
be surprised, though at the same time his Gu
riosty was visibly excited.
s.Suppose,'' said the widow, casting dow
her eyes-s'mind, am only supposing cas-
suppose a person should find a pot full Q
gold pieces in their cellar, would the law hav
right to touch it, or would it belong to tn
finder 7'
The deacon pricked up his ears.
ga pot of gold pieces, widow! Why, ur
questionably, the Law would have nothing t
do With it,