Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1861-11-28
gelecteh Miscellany.
THE WIDOW GRAY"

THE WIDOW GRAY"
When I first went to my present board
ing house, the room in the rear of mine
-==;ass- -ccc:rnied by pretty, bright little wo-
man of about tSSaty-fve, and her little
boy, curly-pated urchin of three years,
the pet and torment of the entire household.
My landlady had carefully concealed the
fact of this child's existence until after
had taken the rooms and moved in.
believe it has been intimated, in former
articles, that am an unmarried lady, not
so young as [ once was-in plain terms, an
'old maid;" and though [ do love children
pretty well-yes. may say, dearly I do
not love their noise. If must be in the
house with them, wish my room to be as
far removed as possible from any they fire.
quent.
My readers will understand, therefore,
why [ was indignant when I found I had
on the same floor with me, with only set
of closets between my room and his moth
er's, this noisy Master Charlie Gray I did
not like it, and was determined not to be
reconciled to it.
Mrs. Gray made some overtures, toward
acquaintance during the first few days, but
I was very cool and distant, and as she was
a sensitive little body, she soon desisted.
When saw this [ was little sorry, for
| Icould see that she was very genial, So
cial person, and true lady, such as we find
q hQt srcan numbers IN these -areat cara.
vanserai. city boarding houses. Besides.
I had found that. thanks to the intervening
closets, Master Charlie really gave me no
annoyance at all. while his bright little face,
curly locks, and precocious wit, were ex-
ceedingly attractive to me. He was des-
tined at last to dissolve the spell of coldness
that had gradually woven itself around his
mother and myself. It was in this wise !:
| was sitting in the parlor, one morning
after breakfast, when Master Charlie came
in. He went and stood besides his mother
awhile, but she was engaged in conversation
with another lady, and he found himself
unnoticed. Presently he came with steal
thy; sidelong movement, towards me. I
put out my hand and said s-Good morning"
in my kindest tones, for the sweet, eager
little face was very winning. There was a
moments hesitation. then Charles little
palm was laid frankly in mine, while he
said gravely. fixing his eyes with growing
friendliness on my face:
II guess you don't hate me, do you, Miss
By"
Hate you Charlies Certainly not. Did
you think SO ?"
'.No. I didn't quite think SO. but Mr.
Butler told me that I'd better not go near
you, for you were an old maid, and old
maids hate children, specially boys. Are
you an old maid, and do you hate 'em p
"Charlie Charlie!' sounded the mothers
warning voice, but Master Charlie was de-
sirous of information, and not to be baked
in his purpose.
'.Please don't mamma, /" said he, in grave
reproof 81 say, Miss B, do you p
DO I hate little boys p Not good
ones, Charlie, and you are good, are you
not p
mot very" Charlie began, glancing
over his shoulder at his mother, who was
approaching, but still holding tightly to my
hand.
mot at all good now,' said Mrs. Gray
Dear Miss B, 1 hope you will pardon
my little boy. [ fear he will be completely
spoiled here, in this great house, where
there are so many people to talk to him. OF
course he does not understand what he is
saying to you, and l trust you will not feel
annoyed by it."
Mot in the least, assure you, Mrs.
Gray" answered, and then I begged that
Charlie might not be punished for repeat
ing the foolish gable of one of a pretty
large class of our boarders, namely, foppish
young men without breeding or education
-"gents." J" net gentlemen, who delight in
vulgar criticisms of all who are not within
their sphere.
We fell into conversation then, listen
ingto her praises of Charles usual docility,
and taking occasion to ventilate certain Of
my theories in regard to the training of ju-
veniles. found Mrs Gray most agee-
able person, not only then but in our future
intercourse.
soon learned that Mrs. Gray was not,
as I had at first supposed, widow, but that
her husband. who was already distinguished
as an engineer, had been induced to join an
important scientific expedition He expect
ed to be absent about two years. One of
these was already passed. and the young
wife and mother already counted the inter-
vening days with anxious solicitude for the
coming of that happy one that was to wit
ness their reunion.