Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-08-05

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the minister prayed and preached-the
people wondered when the ceremony
would take place. But 10 their utter as
tonishment. they were lcfi to wonder
for when the benc,liction was pronounc-
ed, widow c. and the strange gentleman
walked, with the rest of the congrega.
ton, quietly out of the church. When
they reached the pavement, he offered his
arm very gracefully, and she placed her
arm very coniidingly on the beautiful soft
coat sleeve, and they passed on.
What a incoming that was in Fairmouni?
Whata world of conjcctures. surmises,
inquiries and doubts rolled over and over
in the brains of not only gossiping ladies
but sober, matter-of.tact gentlemen.-
The like of such a thing" had never oc.
cured in the village. There was some
thing new under the sun---a lady had had
4 beau and nobody knew it. Widow c
didn't your ears, not only your right but
your left, burn that day9 All. we won
der they hadn't dropped off-surely they
must have been crisp and crimson.
The Rev. Mr.. b. preached TO n crowd.
ed house that afternoon: no compliment
to him though The magnet was in the
pew before him. Every one was sure the
wedding would take place then; but ev-
erybody was again sadly disappointed =
and il tongues had run at railroad speed
before. they travelled then on the electric
wires. The minister might have preach
cd Greek that day, and his sermon would
have been quite as editying. But one
subject engrossed the village mind-the c
widows beau; that was the topic.
1t actually seemed. too. rs though the
lady tried to make all the talk she could.
After tea, arm in arm with the strange
gentleman, she walked the whole length
of the village. and away out into the
cemetery, and never returned till the
moon was high.
"A nice looking dress guess she had,
drawled out old grandma w. as sho list
ened to the widows wanderings. "I'm
glad hain't got 10 wash it, all drabblcd
up with dew, rs it must have been-but
don't suppose she thought or cared n
word about ii, she's so carried away with
him. But I'll give her piece Of my
mind the first time have chance. see
if don't. Cheating us all in this way y
But the good old dame began to fear
by Wednesday night she should never
have the desired chance. She hurried
through her washing on Monday, and
hobbled over TO the widows rs soon as
possible; but the door was locked, and
one OF the neighbors said Mrs. c. and the
/ gentleman went of in carriage, no.
body knew where, very early in the
morning.
"Yes, and never got home till nine
o'clock in the evening"
Look out, widow c., your character is
on the carpet.
II she knew it she apparently didn't
care, for the next day she went sailing
with her beau, and the next day rambling
with him away off TO the mountain, and
on the next forenoon went with him in 4
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 W. well, if ! ever heerd OF
seed the like ont"
Little Nell, the old lady's youn gest
1 grandchild, wondered TO herself if il
were any worse in broad daylight than al
any other time. Perhaps you will won
der too we do, at least.
There was \ very large attendance that
afternoon at the weekly meeting OF the
sewing society. Everybody went that
could possibly leave home. And what Il
chattering there was when the hustle oi
assembly was over. There was but one
topic. but that was all-suflicienL, and ell
grossing-the widows beau-for the gen
tleman must be her beau, or at least, he
ought to be.
Everybody had something to wonder
about But suddenly every magic tongue
was hushed, universal dumb palsy
seemed TO have fallen on the group. as
looking up it perceived the very lady
about whom they were convcrsing sc
eagerly, standing in the doorway.
Good afternoon, ladies'" she said ii
her..usual quiet, lady-liko way. Il an
glad to see so large and happy II gather
ing 1t is beautiful day Tor our meet,
ing" And then she proceeded to the ta'
BILE and helped herself to bocl: of patch
work, inquired for the sowing silk. which
having received, see sat down in the only
vacant chair, and commenced hemmins
a very red bird, with yellow wing, to ;
very green twig, which had been hemmet
on to square piece of white cloth ant
the whole, when completed, was design
cd to form the twentieth part of bed
spread. She seemed all engrossed will
the birds bill, and spoke to no one. Ev
erybody wondered if she had heard what
they were saying when she came in; bu
her placid counlenance soon reassuret
the most fearful, and every one longed tt
commence personal attack.
Old grandma w. was the first to ven
ture. She meant ''to do up the matter