Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1872-11-29
Grlettc0 nlisleIlnnp.
THE PRETTY WIDOW.

1t was customary in former days for
all the ladies of the best families to at
tend the prominent barbccucs, and this
was especially the case in the contest be-
tween Mr.. Breckridge and Gen Coombs,
in fS49. Out of these affairs grew the
authentic story of the incest widow in
the bluegrass region. Not far from the
Forks Of Elkhorn lived the pretty widow
Fauntleroy, and one of her nearest neigh
bors was General Peyton. The General
had looked upon the little widow very
much as he had looked upon his blooded
horse Powhatan, "the finest horse i'll the
bluegrass region"
The pretty Mrs. Fauntleroy had been
a widow more than year; while the
General, having great regard for
etiquette, had waited patiently for that
time to elapse, in order to declare him
SELF But the widow with her woman's
art kept her love at bay, and kept him
in her train.
He had escorted her to this barbecue,
and when returning had expressed his
satisfaction at the prospects of Genera,
Coombs and the success of the Wing
party.
The widow had taken sides with the
Democracy, and offered to wager hei
blooded saddle-horsc Gipsey, or anything
else on her place, against Powhatan OF
anything else she might fancy on the
Generals place.
The Generals gallantry would not al
low him to refuse the wager, which he
promptly accepted BY this time they
had reached tho north fork of the Elk
horn, and were about to ford it bridges
were not plenty in those days), when
John Peyton came up at sharp gait
behind them
The widow turned and bowed to John
and rode into the stream, but a little be-
hind her companion. The east bank
was very steep, and required the horses
to put forth all their strength to reach
the top with their loads.
AS luck would have it, good or i'll, the
Widows girth broke when just at the
commencement Of the steep part, The
lady, still seated on her saddle, slid
swiftly back into the water, while her
horse went up the hill like an arrow.
John Peyton leaped from his horse,
aud in an instant caught the floating lady
and saddle, and before the General had
recovered from his establishment was al
the top of the bank with his burden.
The little widow was equal to the occa-
sion, for she begged the General to ride
on and stop her horse, which had now
begun to understand his part in tho mis-.
hap, and was beginning to increase hi
gait toward home.
The General did as he was bid ant
soon returned with the horse. In thu
meantime. John Pcyton had secured hi
own horse, and when the General came
back with the widows horse she anC
John were laughing mcrrily over the
ridiculous accident, but what further
passed between them is only known t
themselves.
John Peyton repaired the broken girth
fastened the saddle again on the horse
placed the lady in her seat, babe he
good evening, mounted his horse, an
taking another road down the Elkhorn
rode rapidly home, leaving the Genera
to escort the widow.
1t is not necessary to relate how h
entertained his fair companion with hi
ponderous anecdotes of Mr.. Clay AM
other famous public men but when h
reached the Fauntleroy Place he accept
ed the lady's invitation to dismount AM
take tea with her.
After having changed her wet cloth
ing, the pretty widow entertained he
guest with her brightest smiles and som
new songs. The General was delighted
and expressed his delight as Kentuck.
gentleman Of that day would do. "Yol
are the finest songstress, madam, in thu
bluegrass region"
When he babe her good night, am
shook hands with her on the porch, TIL
wicked little widow gave his hand littl'
squeeze only a little, but it thrilled lik'
an electric shock through his great, pom
derous frame, while she laughingly re
minded him Of his wager That nigh
in his dreams, the little widow Fauntle-
roy was repeated so often, and in 81
many bewitching forms, that be resolved
to propose to her at their first meeting
nor did he dream that he could be refus
cd,