The emigrant aid journal of Minnesota. [volume] (Nininger City, Minn. Terr. [i.e. Minn.]) 1856-1858, 1858-04-28
THE POT OF GOLD-A PRETTY CUTE
STORY.

Deacon Bancroft, though very good man in the
main, and looked to with respect by all the inhabi
tants of the village of Ccnreville rumored have
in Yankee parance "a pretty sharp eye to the main
chance "a peculiarly from which deacons not al
ways exempt
In worldly matters he was decidedly we'll to d. hav-
ing inherited ne farm from his father, which was
growing yearly more valuable 1t might be supposed
that under these circumstances, the Deacon who was
fully able to do SO, would have found help-meet to
share bis house and name. But the deacon was weary
Mstrimony to him in some measure matter. O.
money, and it bis firm resolve marry unless
he could thereby enhance his worldly prosperity. I'm
happily, the little village Of Centreve, and the towns
In the immediate vicinity contained few who quail
he'd IN this Important particular and of those there were
probably none with whom the deacons suit would have
prospered.
SO 1t happened that year after year passed awa7 un-
til Deacon Bancroft was in the prime of lfe-forty.fve
or thereabeutsand still unmarried and in all human
probability likely to remain so.
Deacon Bancrofts nearest ueighbor was widow.
The widow Wells, who had passed through one matri-
monal experience, three four years young
than Deacon Bancroft. She was still quite comely
woman Unfortunately, the late Mr.. Wells had not
been able to leave her sufficient make her Independent
Of the world. All that she possessed was the small
old-fashioned house in which she lived, and a small
Of money which insufficient to support he,
and little Of though hardly to be cassed
productive -Ot anything Out Mlscnler.
The widow therefore obliged to take three four
boaraeTs to exc her scanty income which of
imposed upon her considerable labor and anxiety.
Is it surprising then that under these circumstance
she should now and then have bethought herself of
second marriage, as q method of bettering her con
dition Or again need We esteem it special wonde1
if in her reflections upon this point she should have
cast her eyes upon her neghbor Deacon Bancroft Ths
deacon, have already said in fourishing cir
cumstances He would be able to maintain a wife il
great comfort; and, being of the chief personage
in the village, could accord her prominent social posi-
ton. sh M
lie not especially handsome, or calculated to make
profound impression upon the female heart-this wa
true-but be was of good disposition kind hearted
and would doubt make very good sort of husband
A desirable match.
Some sagacious person, however, has observed that il
takes two to make match, fact to be seriously con
sidered for in the present it exceedingly
doubtful whether the worthy deacon, even it he hae
known the favorable opinion Of his next neighbor
would have been inclined propose changing her name
to Bancroft, unless, indeed suitable motive wal
brought to bear upon him. Here was chance fol
tinessing. pa
ia One evening, after day of fatguing labor, the
widow Wells sat at the fire in the sitting with bel
feet resting upon the fender fa
a.If ever am so situated as not to have to work 81
hard che murmured, shall be happy. Its q hare