Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-11-24
THE PRETTY WIDOW.
How John Breckinridge's Election
in Kentucky Fixed up q Match.

| in Kentucky Fixed up q Match.
| 1t was customary in former days for all
| the ladies of the best families to attend the
| prominent 'barbecues, and this was espe-
| cially the case in the contest between Mr..
| Breckenridge and General Coombs, in
| 1S49. Out of these affairs grew the au-
thentic story Of the incest widow in the
| bluegrass region. Not far from the Forks
of Eikhorn lived the pretty little widow
| Fauntleroy, and one Of her nearest neigh
bors was General Peyton. The General
had looked upon the little widow very
much as he looked upon his blooded horse
| Powhatan, "the finest horse in the blue
grass region
The pretty Mrs. Fauntleroy had been a
widow more than year; while the Gen
eral, having a great regard for etiquette,
had waited patiently for that time TO elause,
in order to declare himself. 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 satisfac-
ton at the prospects of Gen. Coombs and
the success of the Wing patty.
The widow took sides with the Democ.
racy, and offered to wager her blOoded sad
die horse Gipsey, or anything else on her
place, against Powhatsn, or ANYTHING else
she might fancy On the Generals place.
The Generals gallantry would not allow
him to refuse the wager, which he prompt
ly accepted. By this time they had reached
the north fork of the Elkhorn, and wera
about to ford it bridges were not plenty In
those days., when John Peyton, the Gene
rails only son and heir, came up at a sharp
gait behind them.
The widow turned and bowed TO John.
and rode into the stream, but little behind
her companion. The east bank was yerv
steep, and required the horses to put forth
all their strength TO reach the top with their
loads.
As luck would have 1t, good or i'll, the
widows g'rth 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 I'D
the bank like an arrow.
John Peyton leaped from his horse, and
in an instant caught the floating lady and
saddle, and before the General had recoy-
cred from bis astonishment 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 began to understand
his part in the mishap, and was beginning
to increase his gait toward home.
The General did as he was bid, and soop
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 the broken girtb.
fastened the saddle again on the horse, |
placed the lady in her seat, babe her good
evening, mounted his horse, and taking an |
other road down the Elkhorn, rode rapidly |
home, leaving the General to escort the |
widow.
1t is not necessary to relate bow he en-
tertalned his fair companion with his nom |
derous anecdotes Of Mr.. Clay and other
famous public men; but when he reached
the Fauntleroy Place he accepted the lady's
invitation TO diSmount and take tea with
her.
After having changed her wet clothing.
the pretty widow entertained her guest
with her brightest smiles and me new
songs. The General was delighted, and
his delight as Kentucky gentle-
men of that day would do. "Yo1 are the
nnest songstress, madam, in the BLUEGRASS
region" o ''
When he babe her good night. and shook
i ii WIN her on the porch, the wicked
little widow gave his hand a little snneoze,
lhiy little, put it thrilled like an electric
STOCK through ms great, ponderous frame,
while she laughingly reminded him of his
wager. Ihat night IL his dreams, the little
widow Fauntleroy was repeated so often J
Ind in so many bewitching forms. that he !
esolved to propose to her at their first
Meeting, nor did be dream that he could be
efused. '-- j
The next morning q letter from his m.
,accO factor called Gen. Pevton To To,,is.
lille, and before his return the nolitical con.
est in Ashland district was over; and won.
efal to relate, John G. Breckepridge the
Oung Democrat, was elected To Co3grees {
Gen. Peyton was both astonished and in
ignant. "Mr. Clay's district, sir.tbe finest
congressional district in the blnergras s 70.
ion, has disgraced itself, SIR was almost
is tlEst remark to his neighbor, Col. Beau '
1rt. WI A''''''- 8
10 DIS son, John, he communicated his :
itennon OF bringing Mrs. Fauntleroy to 4
dorm the head of the table. :
ono Is Ihe nnest lady in the blue
[ass region, and hope, sir, you will al
'sys respect your future mother" ;
"John, with quiet smile, assured him :
lat he was pleased with his choice. This y
essed the General highly, for he had been +
httie @iraid John would object to step- =
lolher younger than himself.
Inc next morning the General ordered