The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-10-18

audible, and her quick ear caught the reply
"Oh, yes-yes. Bring it up all the same
for two, of course"
1t was large, well. furnished dining-room
and the widow no sooner cast her ewes arount
1t, than she came to the conclusion that it.
owner was a bachelor. She did not exactl,
know that it was so, but was so convinced O.
such being the fact, that she would not have
hesltated to bet a pair of gloves upon it.
MIR Hazlett was in truth a single man
somewhat past the meridian of life, but good
looking still, with courteous, gentlemanlike
manners, and, to Judge from the appearance
Of his surroundings, in easy circumstances.
Il am sure" he said. as he placed chair
near the fire for his involuntary guest, 81
ought to feel much indebted to this fog, since
1t has procured me SO unexpected pleasure. .
The lady acknowledged the compliment in
proper terms, accompanied by merry little
laugh, that sounded very mach as if she could
have sad the pleasure was not all on one
side; and while these civlities were in course
of exchange, the luncheon-tray was brought
in, laden with cold chicken, ham, veal pattie>.
and other savory viands, together with de-
canter Of sherry and some bottled ale
Mrs Ccmley began to feel herself quite at
home. She drew her chair to the table and
took of her & loves, thereby displaying pair
of delicatel Y white and wellshaped hands
She was certainly a very pretty woman, with
sparkling black eyes, white teeth and good
complexion. Her age might be 81 or there
abouts; it is unnecessary to 6e particular on
that point-3J would be near enough TO the
mark, even for a census paper.
\ tete-a-tete luncheon is often pleasant
thing.
''lt'S rum so up stairs said James to the
shouldt wonder if masters caught at last ::
and that's what she's up to, it's my opinion
for heard her tell him SHE'S a wdJer."
We'll, never" exclaimed the house-maid.
1T would be droll to get a husband that way
wouldn't it James ."
"Why it would, rayther, my dear: but
there's various ways Of getting a husband
you know
And he favored her with sasaciouS wirk
which caused her to blush ike peonv and
turn away laughing.
The cook, however, who acted as house
keeper, was not inclined to make so light of
the matter as these younger and more
thoughtless denze.s of the household.
"For my part" she said, 81 don't see any
thing to laugh at. and wonder that a man
at Mr. lIazlett's age should let himself be
taken in in such baretaced manner: but it
was true saying, sure enough, that there's
no fool like an old fool y"
Having thus expressed her sentiments with
regard to her master, she continued to mani
fest her disapproval Of the proceedings in the
dininsroom, by sundry vituperative remarks
on widows in general, as particular and
distinct species of the human race
"Well, but, cook, it all happened acciden-
tally" said James, "whatever comes of it..
"Oh, don't tell me accidental indeed I'll
be bound she knew very well who lived here.
and did it on purpose 20 get her foot in. or
else why coud't she es well have knocked at
any other door, should like to know. Bat
it's Just like them widders there ant one of
them but is just as artful aS-l won't say
what"
In the mean While the tete-a-tete above was
progressing charmingly. Mr. Hazlctt had not
enjoyed his midday rejection so much for
a considerable time, and this was most ex-
traorGinary anomaly, for he would have
shrunk almost with horror, or at least with a
nervous fear, from the bare thought Of delib-
erately inviting lady to lunch with him
alone vet now that the fates had brought
this visitation so Unexpectedly upon him, he
did not feel it near so embarrassing as fancy
would have depicted, had he known before
hand that such an event was actually about
to take place. Yet he was not an unsocial
bx.,, ba
of those heretical notions respecting the arts
and wiles Of the fair SIX that are 50 often cul-
tiva,ed in the minds of aged bachelors, like
poisoned weeds, choking up and destroying
the liberal and kindly sentiments that light
lead them to adopt happier state of being.
The two individuals brought so strangely
together seemed to enjoy the joke amazingly.
1t was SO laughablr, and the amusement it
created made them feel as if they had been
acquainted with each other for ten years in
stead Of ten minutes. The conversation ran
into various channels, and at length touched
on the subject Of matrimony.
"Yes, single life is all very well" said Mr.
Hazlett, while man is on the right side OF
forty; but after that, when he takes to his
own freside, he finds that he wants COM
panion. l begin to feel that way, assure
YOU"
Then why not make a change'' said
the lady, with a smile that was quite fasci'
mating.
"Well. | don't know. 1t wants some cour-
age to rouse ones self out of old habits
Now, what age should you take me to be:?'