The Van Buren press., 1868-12-15
MISCELLANY.
WIDOW coBB's FIRST LOVE.

| OtOeN hNoi VII Va tt' ONt httNh-
en-, a cat and three kittens basked in the
warmth, and a decrepit dog lying inll in
the reflection of the yellow blaze, wrinkled
his black nose approvingly as he turned
his hind feet where his fore feet had been.
Over the chimney hung several fine hams
and pieces Of dried beef Apples were
testooned along the ceiling, and crooked.
neeked squashes We'd with red peppers
and slips Of dried pumpkin. in garnishing
each window frame. There were plants,
too, on the window ledges-horsc shoe
gcraniums and dew plants, and a month
ly rose, just budding, to say nothing Of
pots Of yiolets that perfumed the whole
place whenever they took it into their
purple heads to bloom. The floor was
carefully swept, the chairs had not a
speck of dust upon leg or round; the
long settee near the fireplace shonc as If
it had just been vanished; and the eight
day clock in the corner had its white face
newly washed. and seemed determined to
tick the louder for it. Two armchairs
were drawn up at a cosy distance from
rev Jy,at,et, a. f)un-Jt sp5ets.ess.,~sajla "a
red checked apples and a pitcher OF cider
filed a little table between them. In one
of the chairs sat a comfortable looking
woman of about forty-ive, with checks
as red as the apples, and eyes as dark and
bright as they had ever been, resting her
elbow on the table and her head upon her
hand, and looked thoughtfuly into the
fire. This was the widow Cobb. relicts
of Deacon Levi Cobb, who had been
Wondering into dust in the By-town
church. ward far more than seven years.
She was thinking of her dead husband,
probably because all her work being
done, and the servant gone to bed-the
sight of the empty chair at the other side
of the table, and the silence of the room,
made her little lonely. $500 a
Seven years y 50 the Widows revcrie
ran. . 1t seems as if it was more than
ftly--anJ yet don't look 50 very old,
either. Perhaps it's not having any chill
dren to bother my life out, as other peo-
pie have. They may say what they like,
children are more plague than prodt,thats
my opinion. Look at my sister Jerusha,
with her six boys. She worn to q shad-
ow, and I'm sure they have done although
she will never own it. l..-i g..si.
The widow took an apple from the
dish, and began to pare it.
"How dreadful fond Mr.. Cobb used to
be of these gratis lie will never eat any
more Of them, poor fellow, for don
suppose they have apples where he's gone
to. Heigho / remember very well how
used to throw apple parings over my
head when l was a girl, to see who | was
going to marry"
Mrs. Cobb stopped short and blushed'
In those days she did not know Mr.. Cobb
and was always looking eagerly to see
if the peel had formed capital 5. Hei
medita,ions took new turn.
"How handsome Sam Payson was,and
how much used to care about him. Je
rusha says he went away from our village
lust after did. and no one has heard d
him since. And what q silly thing tina
quarrel was! If it had not been fo
that"
Here came long pause, during which
the widow look very steadfas,ly at TIT
empty armchair Of Levi Cobb, deceased
Her fingers played carelessly with the ap
pie pairing; she drew it safely toward her
and looked around the room. '
Upon my word, it is very ridiculous
and don't know what the neighbour
would say if they say me. -
Still the plump fingers drew the pee
nearer.
But they can't see me, thstsa com
fort, and the cat and old Dowse will neve
know what means. OF course, ] don
believe anything about It,"
The pairing hung gracefully from he
hand WV lNlNIy NIf w Isl.
"But still | should like to try 1t woul
seem like old times, and - tlI
Over her head 1t went, and curled u
quietly on the door OF a little distance
Old Bowse, who always slept with on
eve open, saw il fall, and marched delft
erately up to smell It,
Bowse, Bowse, don't touch it, erie
his mistress aud bending ever II with
beating heart, she turned as red a. hr'
There was an handsome a capital 5
one could wish to see. w
A loud knock came suddenly at u
door. The dog growled, aud the wido
screamed and snatched up tho apple pa
Ing, IA ,,il M jilm. Ell