The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1872-11-08

shook hands with her on the porch
the wicked little widow gave his hand
little sluecze--only a littlc-but il
thrilled like an electric shock through
his great pondcrous frame, while she
laugl,ingly reminded him Of his wager.
That night, in his dreams the little
widow Fauntleroy, was repeated 80
often, aud in so many bcwitching forms.
that he resolved to propose to her at
their first meeting, nor did ho dream
that he could be sefased.
The next IN nrning letter from his
tobacco factory called General Peyton
to Louisville, ard before his return,
the political contest in the Ashland dis
trict was over; and wonderful to relate,
John G. Breckenridge, the young Dem
ecrat was elected to Congress.
General Peyton was both surprised
and indignant '.Mr. Clay's district,
sir, the finest Congressional district in
the Bluegrass regoin, has disgraoed
itself, SIR" was almost his first remark
to his neighbor Col. Beaufort.
To his son John he communicated
his intention Of bringing Mrs. Faunt-
leroy to adorn be head of his table.
"Sir, she is the finest lady in the Blue
grass regoin, and l hope, sir, you will
always respect your future mother" "
John with quiet smile, assured
him that he was plescd with his choice
This pleased the General highly, for
he had been a little afraid John would
object to step-mother younger than
himself
The next morning the General ord
cred Powhattan brought out and led
over to Mrs. Fauntlcroy's. Calling
John he requested him to 60 with him
to call upon Mrs. Fauntleroy.
"The Wing party has disgraced itself
in Mr.. Clay's district, sir, and I am
compelled to part with the finest blood
ed horse in the State to pay my wager
with that lady, sir"
The black boy had led Powhattan to
the hitching rail in front of Mrs. Faun-
tlcroy's yard, and having tied him,
had gone into the quarters to tell his
brothers and sisters Of their mistress
great good luck in having won the fa-
nous horse Powhattan.
When General Pcyton and John ar
rived, they found the pretty widow and
two lady friends in the yard admirine
Powhattan.
The ladies were in high glee, and
after the usual salutation, the ladies
invited the gentlemen to take seats or
the porch, which they did.
MADAM" said the General to Mrs.
Fauntleroy, Il have come, like a true
Kentucky gentleman, to pay the wager
l have lost. Powhattan, madam, is
lightfulIy yours"
''But, General" said she, II believe
the wager was conditional. 1t was
the horse or anything else on the place,
was it not!"
MADAM, you are correct" he repli-
ed, "but there is nothing on my place
onehalf in value of Powhattan. l can
not permit you to select an inferior an
imal."
The pretty widow blushed to the tips
of her fingers when she said: ''You
have another and superior animal here
your SON John if he will but use
his tongue, I think ! shall choose him. :"
There was moment Of dead silence,
then laugh, in which the General did
not join.
He rose, and in his blandest manner.
bade the ladies good morning. To
John be said: "Sir, you will remain.
And that is the way John Peyton
came to marry the pretty widow Faun-
tleroy.
General Peyton never forgave his
pretty daughter-in-law her practical
joke. In after years he used to say:
"Sir, she is the finest lady in the
Bluegrass region, but she lacks taste,
sir