Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1861-08-21
a LIFE SKETCH.
Love-Links Cannot be Broken.
BY E. LUCIEN RICHIE.


"Pli never marry widow, or I've for
gotten my name !" said Edward Monta-
que, to his friend Harry Martin, one eve.
ming.
"Ob, fiep' exclaimed the latter. al
should not be Surprised to hear of your
being a third husband, and that before
twelve months"
81, Edward Montague, a third edition
May | be handcufed, aud used for a
smoothing-iron, if am seen in the com
pany Of widow for ten years to come p
said Edward, sarcastically, and with a
scowl that Diogenes would have been
proud of.
Why, l am perfectly astonishedto to hear
you utter such language. From your con
versation, one would suppose widows were
poisonous reptiles, whose every embrace
proves fatal or were trees, exhaling death
and bitter almonds upon all within reach
Of extended arm-boughs.''
Well, Harry, to tell the truth, [ think
you are about half right; and, if occasion
demanded night shade might be added to
the catalogue, without doing the hateful
creatures the slightest injustice" replied
the misanthropic Edward Montague, Esq.
"My dear fellow, if it be true that there
is never an effect without cause, equally
true it is certain results are brought about
b. certain actions Now, pray tell me,
have you not been sighted BY some one
who has had the misfortune of being hus-
bandless, after the enjoyment Of matrimo-
nial felicity g
!" No, indeed not by good deal THAT
is, / never-l mean have no recollection
of ever proposing to woman or widow
yet they worry me almost to death. | dc
Wish, Harry, there wasn't one within four
hundred leagues-and only one even il
that distance-a you were the doomed
individual to travel with her the ife-patE
to the shades of oblivion"
"Well, doubtless would enjoy tie triT
hugely" replied Harry, good-humoredl1
for am about tired journeying alone
and | think any kind Of company wouIC
be preferable to none. But, seriously, hog
comes It that you dislike them SO much
Certainly, there are some angels anon!
them 2"
"Augels, indeed Their wings are still
in heaven, then; and, as for their smiles
they are like June lightning flashes pc
culiar to the season!
6 BE that as it may, the institution ex
lists, and has a masculine support, at a
events. And, for my own part, if al
ever lucky enough to link with widow,
shall think Fate's sable shadow has rece
ded, and Fortune smiled golden light j
lovely dimples" !" enthusiastically respos
ded the poetical Harry.
A smile Of Fortune, to form an ALI
ance with Sleeps twin sister 2. You ha
better ride to your funeral than to such
marriage, or am no prophet. Bat, Ia
ry, if you will pledge ME your word an
honor that you will never reveal, / will te
you why have sHch an adherence f
sable mourners, or widows in general
81 pledge"
) Here Edward threw away his ciga
gave the Goals an extra stir, poised Il
poker for moment, as if in study, the
throwing it suddenly aside, ran his fnge
through mass of jetty curls, seated bin
| self, and, elevating his walking stick on t
office-table, confessed to his bosom con
7 panion as follows:
: 1t was in the mild spring season, I'll
2 | had occasion to travel in the sunny soul
: While il Richmond, made the acquai
tance of a gentleman from Middle II
nessee, who requested me to accompa
. him thither-intimating if time was I
d an Object, fortnight could be passed W
k pleasantly, and doubtless proftably,
l. fond of good company and refined :
y ciety.