The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1858-01-07
The wldOwer's Perplcx.ly,
A disturbance of a somewhat unus


A disturbance of a somewhat unusual
character took place yesterday'morning, at
the dwelling OF Mr. Thofiss + Fothergill, a
fine old ,gantlemsa of sixty-fve, who has
been q widower for eighteen months
Mr.. FothergilI, having become tired of his
solitary condition. advertised for wife, sta
ting, according 10 custom, the qualifications
which applicants for the situation were re.
quired to possess. The advertisement could
not have been more than an hour before the
public when brisk widow, Mrs. Rachel
Morrison by name, might have been seen as.
cending the steps OF Mr.. Forthergill's resi-
dsnce, in Eighth street. This lady, remem.
bering the proverb that "the early bird catch
es the worm," presented herself for the ad.
vertiser's inspection as soon as there was
day light enough to answer the purpose, and,
to reward her business like alucrity, she
proved to be the first competitor for the
prize.
Mr.. FotheFgiII, being man of mercantile
habits, is very prompt at making bargain,
and moreover is not hard to please. Hav-
ing examined Mrs. Morrison's credentials,
he seemed to decide that she would suit him
exactly, and the whole affair was about to be
concluded to the satisfaction of all parties,
when hard pull at the door bell announced
another arrival.
Almost Immediately, second lady enter
ed the room and glanced npprehevsively. as
| If afraid she had come too late. Sac was
thin, elderly female, whose, name afterwards
proved to be Miss Naoma Price. care you
the gentleman who advertised for wife?'
said Miss Price, as soon as she entered
Before Mr.. Fothergill could reply, Mrs.
Fothergill answered for him. Yes, madam !,
he advertised, but reckon he's supplied" !"
Il spoke to the gentleman himself, madam,
answered Miss Price, sharply, "and l sup.
pose he knows his own mind" "He made
declaration of intentions before you came,"
said Mrs. Morrison. 81 think you must
have misunderstood him, madam; persons at
your time Of life are very opt to hear imper.
feotly," answered Miss Price. "You ap
pear to be very anxious to change your con.
dition, madam" said Miss Price. IL never
found it difficult to get one," exclaimed Mrs.
Morrison; "and wish you to know that
have had tho already" "Oh ~ cried Miss
Price, II see your husbands were much to
be pitied, and I don't wonder that their lives
were of short Duration"
While this alteration was going on be-
tween the ladies', Mr.. Fothergll locked and
listened with hextreme embarrassment. Pos
sib!y he could have been happy with either,
"were the other dear charmer away,"-and
he seemed totally. unubleto decide which de-
served his preference, The contest between
the rival candidates was carried on with in.
creasing bitterness, until the hand Of Miss
Price. while performing an energetic ges
ture, happened to touch the somewhat protu.
berant nose of Mrs. Morrison. What fol-
lowed we would gladly suppress. but for the
sake of making an accurate report, it neces.
sary to say that the bonnets Of both ladies'
| were demolished, and their faces rather bad.
y scratched. Mrs. Morrison made charge
of assault and battery against Miss Price,
That the scene we have described made sons
impression on the mind of Mr.. Fothergili
may be Judged from, the circumstance that
when giving in his evidence at the Mayors
office. he signifed his determination to re.
main single for at least six months longer.
Philadelphia Press.