The Xenia sentinel. [volume] (Xenia [Ohio]) 1863-186?, 1865-02-10

R6u6l6mdu W6uL Ou IL q CdAAla6CJ AOOONy
knew where, very early IN the morning.
eyes, and never got home til nine o'clock
in the evening" Look out, Widow q. !
Your character is on the carpetl
If she knew it. apparently she didn't
care, for the next day she went a sailing
with her beau, and the next day ram
bling with him away off to the mountain,
and on the next forenoon went with him
in a carriage to the station house, and
there not only Wept as she parted from
him, but actually embraced and kissed him.
'What, in broad daylight exclaimed
Grandma ". well, if ever 1 seed or
heerd the like ont
Little Nell, the old lady's youngest
grandchild, wondered to herself, if it were
any worse in broad daylight than at any
other time. Perhaps you will wonder too.
We do at least.
There was a very large attendance that
afternoon at the weekly meeting Of the
sewing society. Everybody went that
could possibly leave home. And what
chattering there was when the hustle of
assembling was over. There was but one
topic, but that was all sufficient, alien
grossing-the widows beau-for the gen
fleman must be her beau, or at least he
ought to be.
Everybody had something OF tell, some~
thing to wonder about. But suddenly eve
ry magpie tongue was hushed, a universal
stroke Of numb palsy seemed to have fallen
on the group,as looking up, it perceived the
very lady about whom they were conVersing
so eagerly, standing in the doorway.
Good afternoon, ladies, said she, in her
usual quiet, lady like way. 4 am glad
to see so large and happy a gathering. 1t
is beautiful day for our meeting; and
then she proceeded to the table, helped
herself to a block of patchwork, inquired
for the seWing-silk, which having received,
she sat down in the only vacant chair, and
commenced hemming a very red bird with
a yellow wing, on to a very green twig,
which latter had already been hemmed
on to a square piece Of white cloth, and
the whole when completed was designed
to form the twentieth part of a bed-spreod.
She seemed all engrossed with the birds
bill, and spoke to no one. Everybody
wondered if she had heard what they
were saying when she came in, but her
placid countenance soon re-assured the
most fearful, and every one lOnged to COM
mence a personal attack.
Old Grandma W. was the first to ven
ture. She meant 'tO do up the matter
very delicately, and in so. roundabout
way, the lady should not suspect her of
curiosity. Soshe began by praising Mrs.
C.'s dress. why, it's a real beauty
said she; where did you get it?'
4 bought it, was the quiet reply,
'HereY
mo-
fWhere, then p
In New York, last spring.
%, you did, did you? But I thought
you wasn't never going to wear anything
but black again Every eye scrutinized
the lady's face this time in search of a
blush, but it continued as pale as was u.s.
ual, while she answered:
Il did think and say so once, but have
finally changed my mind
you have, ha But what made you p
%, I had good reasons Here the
hearers and lookers>on winked expressive
ly at each other.
But didn't you spoil your beautiful
white dress Sunday night, wearing it way
up there to the burying-grOund 2
q did not
sYou didn't But how could you help
il? There was a wonderful heavy dew
4 did not wear it.
Here was a damper to the old lady.
She had such long lecture to read on ezn
travagance, and she was so determined to
do it too, when unfortunately for her elo-
uuent strain, Mrs. C.'s dress had hung up
in her wardrobe all the time, and she
had worn an old black silk.
After a while the old lady took fresh
start. She would not be SO bafied again.
She would find out all about that beau
before she went home, that she would.
So she began by saying, your company
went away this morning, didn't theyY
They did, was the answer, wee bit
of emphasis resting on the they
tHe didn't stay very long, did he p
Not as long as 1 wish he had,' was the
emphatic answer this time. And how the
ladies did look at each other, 1t was as
good as a confession.
when did he Gomez
Saturday evening.
'Was you looking for himP
4 had been expecting him fortnight,
'Why, du tell, if you had then, and
you never told ont either. Had he busi-
ness in the place p
fHe had
what was itp This was rather
more direct and blunt than the old lady
had meant to put it, and she forthwith
apologized by saying, Il didn't mean that
IL only thought-I-
%, I'd as lief you knew as not, said the
lady, with charming air ofndiUete, 'he
came to see me-
o, Widow c.. didn't your good name
go down then. Be careful what you say
next, or you'll have only remnant Of
character to go home with, and remnants
always 60 cheap.
HE did, did he, and be didn't come fol
nothing else then2 But was you glad to
see himP
Indeed I was. It was one ofthe happiest
moments Of my existence.
well, WE'LL said the old lady, hardly
knowing how to frame her next question
well, he's real gOod-lOOking man, any
way
4 think so too, and he's not only good
looking, but he's gOOd-hearted +; one o.
the best men 1 ever knew
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