Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1858-08-11
Select Gale.
THE WIDOWS BEAU.

had consecrated to the service of God The |
minister had read the psalms and scripture |
lessons, and had repeated the first line of the |
opening hymn. The eyes of the people were |
fixed intently upon him, for he was not only
sound and eloquent preacher, but he was a
line looking one too, and thus enchanted not
only the attention of the true, but the false
worshippers. The house was very stlll-the
clear, melancholy tones of the preacher were
the only sounds that throbbed on the balmy
golden air, which the midsummer's Sabbath
morn had breathed into that holy place.
The first syllable on the second line was
trembling on his lips, when rustic at the
door, and the entrance of two persons, a lady
and gentleman, dissolved the charm. In
moment every eye turned from the pulpit
to the broad aisle, and watched with more
than ordinary interest the progress of the
couple. A most searching ordeal were they
subjected TO, and when fairly and quietly
seated in the first pew, Immediately in front
of the pulpit, what d nudging of elbows there
was-ay, aud how many whispers, too.
! In vain the sound, the good, the eloquent,
| the handsome Mr.. b. sought again to steal
the attention of his hearers They had no
eyes, no thoughts for any body else but widow
! c., and widow C.'s young gentlemanly and
! dashing attendant.
! How she had cheated them. Hadn't she
said she didn't feel as though she could ever
wear anything but mourning? And in spite
! of these protestations, hadn't she come out
all at once, dressed in white, ard walked into
the church in broad daylight, leaning on the
arm of young gentleman.
Yes, indeed she had. She would have
plead guilty to all these charges. grave ones
as they were, and to the last how many wit
nesses had been subpGned! She was actu-
IL, oS
! playing an elaboratcly wrought chimtrite,
drapery-sleevcs trimmed with the richest
| Mechlin lace, under-sleevcs of the same ex-
pensive material, with white lace hat with
orange buds and flowers, with kid gloves and
light CATERS was the description every
lady had on her tongue, to repeat over as
soon as the service was ended.
And the gcutleman-he was dressed in
style, didn't he wear white pants of the la
test pattern, and white vest and coat of
" satin finish" and white kids, too; and
didn't he sport massive chain, and didn't
be gaze often and lovingly on the fair feat
ures beside him
All, yes, he did so, and there was no fur
thcr room to doubt. Widow c. had cheated
them. She hsd won heau, laid aside her
mourning, put on a bridal attire and was
going to be married in church. But who the
beau was, and from whence he came it was
difficult to solve,
Service proceeded. The choir sung and
the minister prayed and preached-the peo-
pie wondered when the ceremony would take
place.
But to their utter astonishment they were
left to wonder.
For when the bepediction was pronounced
Widow g. and the strange gentleman walked
with the rest of the congregation quietly out
of the church. When :hey reached the pave
ment, he offered her his arm very gracefully
and she placed her hand very confidently Oh
the beautiful coat sleeve, as they passed on
What morning that in Harlem =
What world of conjectures, surmises, in
quiries and doubts rolled over and over il
the brains of not only gossiping ladies, Du
sober, matter of fact gentlemen The llk
of such thing had never occurred in tn,
annals of the village-thcre was something
new under the sun-a lady had beau ant
no body knew it.
Widow c. didn't your ears burn that day
And we wonder they didn't drop off; sure
they must have been crisp and crimson.
The Rev. Mr.. B. preached to crowde,
house that afternoon; no compliment 10 him
though. Every one was sure the weddn
# would take place then, but every body wa
sadly Disappointed; and if tongues had ru
\ at railroad speed before, they travelled the
~ on electric wires. The minister might nav
preached in Greek that day, and the sermo
would have been quite as edifying. But on
I'd subject occupied the village mind--tbe wild
ow's beau.
1t actually seemed, too as though the lad
tried to make all the talk she could Afte
tea, arm in arm with the strange gentlema
she walked the whole length of the village
and away out into the country, and never RI
turned until the moon was high.
id "a nice looking dress 1 guess she had
drawled out grandma W, as she listened
the story of the handsome widows wander
ings. Pm glad hain't got to wash it, a
drabbled up with dew, as it must have been
but L don't 'spose she thought or cared
't' word about it, she's SO carried away wit
H. him. But I'll give her piece of my min
the first time [ have chance see if dom
But the good old dame began to fear 81
!. would never have the desired chance. ST
10 hurried through her washing on Monda,
~ and hobbled over to the widows rs soon
of possible, but the door was locked, and one
q the neighbors said Mrs c. and the gentl
h man went off in carriage. nobody kne
m where very early in the morning Yes, ar
- never got home until nine o'clock in ii
a. evening" Look out widow your character
n on the carpet.
il If she knew it, apparently she didn't car
a for the next day she went sailing with h
es beau and the next day rambled with him
r to the woodlawn, and the next forenoon we
With him in carriage to the railroad static