Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1870-08-18
Miscellaneous.
The Widows Beau.

Service had commenced in the neat
little sanctuary which the inhabitants
of Fairmount had consecrated to the
worship of God. The minister had
read the psalm and the scripture les
son, and the first lines of the opening
hymn. The eyes of his people were
fixed intently upon him, for he was not
only good. sound eloquent preacher.
but he was a fine looking one. too -
and this unclaimed usually, not only
the attention of the true but the false
worshlper. The house was very still
the clear, melodions tones of the
speaker were the only sounds that
throbbed on the golden, balmv air.
whicn the midsummer Sabbath morn
had breathed into that place. the
first syllable of the second line was
trembling on his lips, when rustic al
the door. and the entrance of two per-
sons, a lady and gentleman, dissolved
the charm. In 4 second every eye
turned from the pulpit TO the broad
aisle. and watched with more than
ordinary eagerness the progress of the
couple. \ most searching ordeal were
they subjected TO; and when they were
fairly and quietly seated in the front
pew. immediately before the pulpit,
what nudging of elbows there was.
aye. and how many whispers, too. la
yam. sought the good. the sound, the
eloquent, the handsome MIR. B. 70 seal
again the attention of his hearers.
They had eyes and thoughts for nobody
but Widow {. and widow C's vouny
and dashing attendant. how she had
cheated them, Hadn't she said hun
dred times or more, that her heart was
that she would never marry again
Hadn't she refused always to walk out
or ride out with any of the unappropri-
ated gentleman of the village. Hadn',
she said she didn't feel as though she
could wear anything but mourning
And in spite Of all these protestaiion-
hadn't she come out. all at once, dress
sd ali in white, and walked into churcl
in broad daylight, leaning ON the arm
Of young gentleman:
Yes, indeed she had. She would
have pleaded guilty to all thes,
charges. grave ones as they were ard
10 the last two how many wItnesse.
might have been subpenaed: She was
actually dressed in white. A beautiful
robe Of India null, tucked to the waist
with an open corsage, displaying al
elaborately made chemisette, draper,
sleeves trimmed with the richest O
Mechlin lace. undersleeves of the sam,
expensive material, white crap,
shawl, a white lace hat with orang,
buds and flowers, white kid gloves ant
light gaiters-such was the description
every lady had on her tongues end t,
repeat over as soon as service wa,
closed. And the gcntleman-he, too
was dressed in style. Di1H't lie wea
white pants. of the latest pattern. anC
a white vest, and a coat of ..satiI
finish," and white kids, too and liun'
he gaze often, and tenderly and loving
ly. on the fair creature beside him
Ah, yes, he did SO, and there was l.,
further room to doubt Widow c. hat
cheated them She had won a bear,
laid aside her mourning, and put OF
bridal attire, and was going to b.
married in church. But who the beal
was, or whence he came, was more diff
cult TO solye.
Service proceeded. The choir san,
the miaister prayed and preached
the people wondered when the cere
nony would take place. But to thei
utter astonishment, they were left t.
wonder; for when the benediction wa
pronounced, widow G. and the strang
gentleman walked, with the rest of TIN
congregation, quietly out of tn
church. When they reached the pave
ment, he offered his arm very grace
fully, and she placed her arm yer,
confidingly on the beautiful soft coal
sleeve, and they passed on.
What q incoming that was in Fair
mount? What q world of conjectures
surmises, inquiries and doubts rollet
over and over in the brains Of no
only gossiping ladies' but sober, mat
ter-of-fact gentlemen.-"The like 0
such q thing" had never occurred il
the village. There was something hev
under the sun-a lady had had bca'
and nobody knew it. Widow c didn'
your ears, not only your right but you
left. burn that day3 All, we wonde
they hadn't dropped off-surely the.
must have been crisp and crimson.
| The Rev. Mr.. b. preached to ,
crowded. house that afternoon NO com