The Portland daily press., 1864-06-13
The Widows Purchase.

Irauitl0n has handed down q rather anus
Ing auction incident that transpired in Wey-
mouth some fifty or sixty years ago. A vete-
ran sea captain Of that ancient town having
paid the debt Of nature, day was appointed
by his administrator for the sale of his goods
and chattels. A large number of the neigh
bors, male and female, attended the occasion,
and among others widow, whose weeds con-
cealed rather prepossessing person. She had
seen nearly fifty summers, but time had laid
his touch so lightly upon her, that she might
pass for maid Iof thirty. Her husband,
who had been from his youth sailor, had fall
en- victim to the perils of the sea; and since
his death she had led a lonely life, the sole oc-
cupant of neat rural cottage which he left
her.
One article after another was sold, until the
auctioneer, to wind up the sale, offered lot
OF canvass that had been slowed away under a
shed. The widow, for what particular reason
We are unable to say, began bidding for 1t, but
not without competition. Two or three 9TH
ers stepped up and began to examine 1t. Pull
Ing 1t open they discovered tarpaulin hat,
and as paused from surprise, a voice saluted
them from the heap OF canvas, with
What are you after, overhauling this craft.
you land lubbers ?"
All present stood amazed, but the auction
Ger soon recovered from his astonishment,
and being something OF wag, brought down
ms hammer, exclaiming with comical smile,
The widow - has the lot for one dol
lari'
The laugh that followed, and the widows
confusion, as she saw sailor emerging from
beneath the canvass, may readily be imagin-
cd. The gallant tar jumped upon his feet and
inquired who had bought him.
The widow - replied the auctioneer.
convnlsed with laughter.
Bless my good luck" continued Jack, 81
am just the fellow TO be her slave.n
The widow, striving in vain to conceal her
embarrassment, hurried out Of the crowd, and
made the best of her way home. The sailor
stood gazing after her, and watched her
course, until he saw her enter her own humble
cottage. Then turning to the auctioneer, he
inquired:
4What freight is there here for the widow >
Just load it upon this craft; SILVER nv tim
bers Ii don't land 1t safe at her door,
Inc articles which the widow had bought
were accordingly gathered up, and the sailor
taxing them upon his shoulders, trudged of.
lie did land his load in safety, as he promis-
ca then catching glimpse OF the widow, as
sne looked wonderingiy at him through the
window, ne DOTTED his tarpauln respectfully TO
her, and departed. The widow hardly knew
whether to regard bis conduct simply a. the
rash impulse of sailors humor, or as ipdica-
tive OF some preconcerted scheme. She felt
relieved TO see him depart; still she had a
lurking curiosity to know something more
about him.
Ga his return from the widows. a crowd
gathered around the tar, when, In answer M
numerous questions put TO him. he stated
that ne was stranger In the place, that while
passing BY he had been informed that an old
sea captains effects were TO be- sold, and this
induced him 70 attend the sale; that finally,
Uro <xnset s.s< lat T.. m.
discovered the heap of old canvas In back
shed and resolved to take up his lodgings In
It for the night, little thinking IL was TO be
overhauled and sold.
After this explanation he was beset with
invitations from different members Of the
group, and finally accepted the profered hos
pitaiity of fellow sailor for the night. Next
morning he called at the widows betimes
and inquired whether she had any services
for him to perform that day.
You bought me fairly" said he, sand am
ready to do your bidding. Besides, out OF re-
gard to an old shipmate, who persisted before
my eyes in storm at sea, and who left Wild
ow somewhere In this quarter, am bound to
do favor for every widow meet with,
This allusion to an old shipmate, excited
in the bosom OF the lonely woman q strong
desire TO hear his story. She invited him in,
and, after questioning him few minutes, as
eertained that the shipmate OF whom be haIl
spoken was no other than her own lamena d
husband Her interest In him from that n 90
ment rapidly increased. In compliance v ith
her cntreatise, he stopped to dine with her.
and the day was far spent before he left her
house. BE remained in the village and spent
q portion of each day at the widows. Il was
soon announced that preparations were max
Ing for wedding; and few weeks amer the
stranger sailor became the widows husband.
Hthoueh she had purchased him, she never
imposed any servile burdens upon him,-Quin-
cy Patriot.