The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1872-09-15

~ the case in the contest between Mr.
Breckenridge AID General Coombs, In 1910.
Out of these affairs grew the authentic
story of the incest widow in the blue grass
region. Not far from the Forks of Eikhorn
lived the pretty little widow Fauntleroy,
and one of her nearest neighbors was Gen.
Peyton. The General had looked upon the
little widow very much as he looked upon
his blooded horse Powhattan, "the finest
horse in the bluegrass region"
The pretty Mrs. Fauntleroy had been q
widow more than year while the Gene
raj, having great regard for etiquette, had
waited patiently for that time to elapse, in
order to declare himself. But the widow,
with her woman's art, kept her lover at
bay. and kept him in her train.
He had escorted her to this barbecue, and
when returning had expressed his satisfac-
ton at the prospects of Gen. Coombs, and
the success of the Wing party.
The widow took sides with the Democ-
racy, and offered to wager her blooded
saddle-horse, Gipsey, or anything else on
her place, against Powhattan, or anything
else she might fancy on the Generals
place.
The Generals gallantry would not allow
him to refuse the wager which he promptly
accepted. By this time they had reached
the north fork Of the Eikhorn, and were
in those days), when John Peyton, the
Generals only eon and heir, came up at .
sharp gait behind them.
The widow turned and bowed to John,
and rode into the stream. but q little be-
hind her companion. The east bank was
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 COM
mencement of the steep part. The lady,
still seated on her saddle, slid swiftly back
into the water, while her horse went up the
bank like an arrow.
John Peyton leaped from his horse, aud
in an instant caught the floating lady and
saddle, and before the General had recover
ed from his establishment was at the top of
the bank with his burden. The little widow
was equal to the occasion, for she begged
the General to ride on and stop her horse,
which had now begun to understand his
| part in the mishap, and was beginning to
| increase his gait toward home.
The General did as he was bid, and soon
| returned with the horse. In the meantime
John Peyton had secured his own horse,
| and when the General came back with the
widows horse she and John were Laughing
merrily over the ridiculous accident, but
what further passed between them is only
known to themselves.
John Peyton repaired tho broken girth,
| fastened the saddle again on the horse,
| placed the lady in her seat, babe her good
| another road down the Elkhorn, rode rap
idly home, leaving the General to escort
| the widow.
1t is not necessary to relate how he en-
tertained his fair companion with his pom
derous anecdotes of Mr.. Clay and other
famous public men but when he reached
the Fauntleroy place, he accepted the LADY,
her.
After having changed her wet clothing,
the pretty widow entertained her guest
with her brightest smiles and some new
songs. The General was delighted, and
expressed his delight as Kentucky gentle
men of that day would do. "You are the
finest songstress, madam, in the bluegrass
region.
When he bade her good night, and shook
hands with her on the porch, the wicked
little widow gave his hand little squeeze,
only little, but it thrilled like an electric
shock through his great, ponderous frame,
wager. That night in his dreams, the little
widow Fauntleroy was repeated 30 often,
and in so maHy bewftching forms, that he
resolved to propose to her at their first
meeting, nor did he dream that he could
be refused.
The next morning letter from his to-
bacco factor called General Peyton to
Louisville, and before his return the pOliti-
cal contest in the Ashland district was over;
and, wonderful to relate, John c. Brecken-
ridge, the young Democrat, was elected to
Congress.
Gen. Peyton was both astonished and
indignant. '.Mr. Clay's district, sir, the
finest Congressional district in the blue
grass region, has disgraced itself, sir" was
almost bis first remark to his neighbor,
| Col. Beaufort.
To his son John, he communicated bis
intention of bringing Mrs. Fauntleroy to
adorn the head of his table.
Sir, she is the finest lady in the blue
grass region, and I hope, sir, you will al
ways respect your future mother"
John, with quiet smile, assured him
that he was pleased with his choice. This
pleased the General highly, for he had been
a little afraid John would object to q step
mother younger than himself.
The next morning the General ordered
Powhattan brought out, and led over to
Mrs. Fauntleroy's. Calling John, he re-
quested him to call upon Mrs. Fauntleroy.
"The Wing party has diegraced itself in
Mr.. Clay's district, sir, and am compelled
to part with the finest blooded horse in the
| Stata IN nov wonor with, that la6V. aiFO