Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1871-04-28
The widows Beau.

little sanctuary which the inhabitants of
Falmouth had consecrated to the wor.
ship of God. The minister had read
the Psalm and the Scripture lesson, and
the first lines of the opening hymn. The
eyes of his people were fixed intently up
on him, for he was notonly agood, sound
eloquent preacher, but he was fine
looking one, too, and thus enchained usu-
ally not only the attention of the true,
but tho false worshiper. The house was
very still--the clear, melodious tones of
the speaker were the only sounds that
throbbed on the balmy, golden air which
the midsummer Sabbath morn had
breathed into that holy place. The first
syllable of the second line was tremb-
ling on his lips, when rustic at the door
and the entrance of two persons, lady
and gentleman dissolved the CHARM
In second, every eye turned from the
pulpit to the broad aisle, and watched
With more than ordinary eagerness the
progress of the couple. A most search
ing 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.
In vain sought the good, the sound, the
eloquent the handsome Mr.. B. to seal
again the attention of his hearers They
had eyes and thoughts for nobody but
Widow c. and Widow C.'s young and
distinguishing attendant.
How she had cheated them Hadn't
she said, an hundred times or more, that
her heart was in the grave of her buried
one; that she would never marry again :?
Hadn't she refused always to walk out
or ride out with any of the unappropri-
ated gentlemen of the village? hadn't
she said she didn't Zee as though she
could ever wear anything but mourning
And, in spite of all these protestations,
hadn't she come out, all at once, dressed
all in white, and walked into church in
broad daylight, leaning on the arm of a
young gentleman9
Yes, indeed, she had. She would have
| pleaded guilty to all these charges, grave
ones as they were, and to the last two
how many witnesses might have been
subpenaed. She was actually dressed in
| white.
A beautiful robe of India null. tuck
ed to the waist, with an open corsage,
displaying an elaborately wrought che
misette, drapery sleeves trimmed with
the richest Mechln lace, undersleeves of
he same expensive material, white
Grape shawl, a white lace hat with orange
buds and flowers, white kid gloves and
light gaiters-such was the description
every lady had on her tongues end to
repeat over as soon as service closed
And the gentleman, he too was dressed
III sly It, Dluu uc "cht WhitO PdhtS vi
the latest pattern, and white vest. and
a coat of "satin finish" and white kids,
too; and didn't he sport splendid pin
and massive chain, and didn't he gaze
often, and tenderly, and lovingly, on the
| fair creature beside him ? All yes, he did
so, and there was no farther room for
doubt. Widow G. had cheated them
She had won a beau, laid aside her
mourning, put on bridal attire, and was
going to be married in church. But who
the beau was, or whence he came, was
more difficult to solve.
/ Service proceeded. The choir sang,
the minister p: aged and preached-the
people wondered when the ceremony
would take place; but, to their utter as
constituent, they we're left to wonder, fol
when the benediction was pronounced
Widow c. and the strange gentleman
, walked with the rest of the congregation
quietly out of the church. When they
, reached the pavement he offered bis arm
very gracefully, and she placed her hand
very confdingly on the beautifully sof
coat sleeve, aud they passed on.
What incoming that was in Fair
mount What world of coniectures
) surmises, inquiries, and doubts rolled ovel
and over in the brains of not only goss p
, ing ladies, but sober matter offact gen
tlemen. "The like of such thing" hat
never occurred before in the annals O
, village. There was something new un
, der the sun--a lady had a beau and no
body knew of it. Widow c.! Didn'
! your ears, not only the right, but the lef
r burn that day? Ah, we wonder they
hadn't dropped off-surely they mus
have been crisp and crimson.
; The Rev. Mr.. b. preached to crowd
ed house that afternoon; no compliment
. to him though. The magnet was in th'
pew before him.
. Every one was sure the wedding woult
, take place then but everybody wa
n