The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1858-08-21
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TIE POT OF GOLD.

Deacon Bancroft, through very good
man in the main, and looked up to with
respect by all the inhabitants Of the viii
lage Of Ccntrcyillc, was rumorcd TO have,
III Yankee parlance, 8: ii pretty sharp eye
to the main chance "a popularity from
which dcacons are not always exempt.
In worldly matters lie was decidedly
we'll to do, having inherited fine farm
from his father, which was growing year.
~ more valuable. 1t might be SUPPOSED
that under these circumstances, the
deacon, who was fully able to do so,
would have found Il holp-matc to share
his house and name. But the deacon
was wary. Matrmony was to him in
some measure Il matter o'moncy, and it
was his firm resolve not to marry unless
hc could thereby enhance his worldly
prosperity. tnhappily, the little vii
Iagc of Ccntrevillc and the towns in the
immediate vicinity, contained few who
were qualified in this important particu-
lar, and of those, there were probably
none with whom the dcacon's suit would
have prospcrcd.
SO it happened that year after year
passed away, until Deacon Bancroft was
III the prime of liie-forty-ave on there
abouts-and still unmarricd and in all
probability likely to remain so.
Deacon Bancroft's nearest ncighbor
was a widow.
The widow Wells, who had passed
through one matrimonial experiences. was
some three or four years younger than
Deacon Bancroft. She was still quite a
come!ly woman. Unfortunately, the iott2
fif Wells had not been able to leave
her sufficient to make her independent Of
the world. All that she possessed was
the small, old-tashioncd house in which
she lived, and small amount of money,
which was Sufficient to support her and
little son Of seven, hardly to be classed
as productive Of anything but mischief
The widow was, therefore, obliged to
take three or four boarders, to exc out
her scrnty income, which of course I'M
posed upon her considerable labor and
anxiety.
Is it surprising, then, that under these
circumstances, she should now and then
have bcthought herself Of Il second mar
riage, as Il method Of lettering her con-
dltion Or again, need we esteem it Il
special wonder, il, in her reflection upon
this point, she should have cast her eyes
upon Deacon Bancroft The deacon, as
we have already said, was in fourishing
circumstances. lie would be able to
maintain wife in great comfort and
being one of the chief personages in the
village, could afford her q prominent
social position.
lie was not especially handsome, or
calculated to make Il profound impression
upon the female heart--this was true
but he was of Il good disposition, kind
hearted, and would, no doubt, make a
very good husband. A desirable match.
Some sagacious person, however, has
observed that it takes two to make a
match, fact to be seriously considered
for in the present case it was exceeding
1y doubtful whether the worthy deacon,
even if he had known the favorable
opinion of his next neghbor, would have
been inclined to propose changing her
name to Bancroft, unless, indeed, suit
able motive was brought to bear upon
him. Here was a chance for fncssing.
One evening, after u day of fatiguina
labor, the widow Wells sat at the fire III
the sitting room, with her feet resting
upon the fender.
" If | ever am so situated as not tc
have to work so hard," she murmured
81 shall be happy. It's a hard life
keeping boarders. If [ was only as well
of 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 tc
put into execution at the very carlies
practical moment What it was tho
reader will discover in the sequel.
" Henry" said size to her son tho
next morning, g want you to stop a
Deacon Bancroft's as you are going t.
school, and ask him if he will call ant
see me in the course of the morning OF
afternoon, just as he finds it most con
venient.
Deacon Bancroft was little SURPRISE
At the summons. However, about Il
O'Clock he called in. The widow hac
got on the dinner, and had leisure to 81
down. She appeared a little enlbar
assed.