The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1872-12-27
A KENTUCKY ANEcporE.

to attend the prominent barbecues,
aud this was especially in the contest
between Mr. Breckenridge and Cen
eral Coombs, in 1850. Out Of these
affairs grew the authentic story OF
the incest widow in the blue grass
region. Not far from the Forks Of
the Elkhorn lived the pretty widow
Fountleroy, and one of her nearest
nei2hbors was General Peyton. The
General had looked upon his horse,
Powhattan, as ''tbe finest horse in
the blue grass region"
The pretty Mrs. .Fountleroy bad
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
decure himself. But the widow, with
her woman's art, kept her lover ut
bay. and kept him in her train.
He had escorted her TO this barLe-
cue, and when returning had express
ed his satisfaction mt the prospects of
General Coombs, and the success of
the Whig party.
The widow took sides with the De-
mocracy, and offered TO wager her
blooded saddle horse, Gipsey, against
anything she might fancy on the
Generals place.
The Generals i gailantry would no.
allow him to refuse the wager which
he promptly accepted. By this time
they had reached the north fork of
the Elkhorn, and were about to ford
1t bridges were not plenty in those
days.. when John Peyton. the Gen
erals only son aud heir. came up ut IL
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 very steep, and re-
qnired the horses to put forth all
their strength to reach the top with
their loads.
As luck would have it, good or i'll q,
the widows girlh broke just ut the
commencement of the steep part
The lady, still seated on her sad lie,
slid swiftly bpck into the water. while
the horse went up the bank like an
arrow.
John Peyton lcaped from his
| horse, and in an instant caught the
floating lady aud saddle. aud before
the General had recovered from his
, astonlshmeut was at the top OF the
bank with bis burden. The little
widow was equal TO the occasion. for
she begged the General 10 ride on
and stop her horse. which had now
began to understand his part i'll the
inlshap. aud WIS beginning TO iu-
crease 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, aud when the
General came back with the widow t
horse she and John were laughing
inerri!y over the ridiculous accident,
but what further passed between
them Is only known to themselves.
John Peyton repaired the broken
| girth, fastened the saddle again on
tue horse, placed the lady In her seat
oade her good evening, mounted his
horse, and taking another road down
| the Eikhorn. rode rapidly home,
leaving the General TO escort the
widow.
Ii is not necessary to state how he
entertained his fair companion with
his ponderous anecdotes OF Mr. Clay
and other famous public wen; but
when he reached the FauntleroN
place, he accepted the lady's invita-
ton TO dismount and take. tea with
her.
After having changed her we
clothing, the pretty widow enter
tanned her guest with her brightes
smiles and some new songs. The
General was delighted, and expressed
his delight as Kentucky gentleman
of that day would do. "You arr
the finest songstress, madam, in thu
blue grass region
When he bade her good night, ant
shook hands with her on the porch
the wicked little widow gave hi
hand squeeze, only little, but j
thrilled like an electric shock through
his great, ponderous frame, Will,
she laughingly reminded him of hi
wager. That night in his dreams
the little widow Fountleroy was re
peated SO often, and in SO many be
witchin9 ways, that lie resolved +
propose to her at their first meeting
nor did he dream that he could b.
refused.
The next morning letter from
his tobacco factor called Genera
Peyton to Louisville, and before h
returned the political contest in tn
Ashland district was over; and, won
derful to relate, John G. Brecken
ridge, the young Democrat, wa
elected to Congress.
General Peyton was both aston
ished and indignant. "Mr. Clay
,, district, sir, the finest congressiona
district in the blue grass region, ha
disgraced itself, sir, was almost hi
first remark to his neighbor, Col
Beaufort.
To his son John, he communicate
! his intention to bring Mrs. Faunt
leroy to adorn the head of the table
"Sir, she is the finest lady in til
blue grass region, and I hope, sil
you will always respect your futur
: mother"
' John, with quiet smile, assure
, him that he was pleased with hi
choice. This pleased the Gener'
highly. for he had been little afrai
John would object to a stennnothf