Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1873-01-24

all their strength TO reach the top with their
loads. As luck would have It, good or III,
the widows girth broke 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, and in
an instant caught the floating lady and sad
die, and before the general had recovered
from his 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 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 mean time
John Peyton had secured his own horse, and
when the general came back with the wild.
ow's horse, she and John were laughing mer-
rily over the ridiculous accident, but what
further passed between them is only know to
themselves
John Peyton repaired the broken girtb,
fastened the saddle again on TIE horse placed
the lady in her seat, babe her good evening
mounted his horse, and taking another road
down the Elkhorn, rode rapidly home, lcav-
ing the general to escort the widow.
1t is not necessary to relate how he enter
tanned his fair companion with ponderou,
anecdotes Of Mr.. Clay aud other famous pun.
lie men but when he reached the Fauutler.
oy place, he accepted the ladys invitation tC
dismount and take tea with her After hay
ing changed her wet clothing, the pretty
widow entertained her guest with her bright
est smiles and some new songs The genera
was delighted, aud expressed his delight, al
Kentucky gentleman of that day would have
done. You are the finest songstress, mad
am, in the Blue Grass region"
When he babe her good night and SHOOK
hands with her on the porch, the wicked lit
tie widow gave his hand little squeeze
only little-but it thrilled like an electri,
shock through his great, ponderous frame
while she laughingly reminded him of hi
wager. That night, in his dreams, the it'll,
widow Fauntleroy was repeated so often
and in so many bewitching FORMS that h,
resolved to propose to her at their first meet
ing, nor did he dream that he could be re
fused.
The next morning letter from his tobac
co factor called Gen. Peyton to Louisville
and before his return the political contest il
the Ashland district was over, aud wonderful
to relate, John G. Breckenridge, the younl
democrat, was elected to Congress
Gen. Peyton was both astonished aud in
1iguant. "Mr, Clay's district. sir, the fines
congressional district in the Blue Grass re
gion, has disgraced ITSELF sir" was almos
his first remark to his ncighbor, Col Beau
fort.
To his son John be communicated his in
tention to bring Mrs. Fauntleroy to adorr
the head of his table.
She is the finest lady in the Blue Gras
region. and hope, sir, you will always re
spect your future mother"
John, with quiet smile, assured him tina
he was pleased with his choice, This pleased
the general highly, for he had been a it'll,
afraid John would object to a step.mothe
younger than himself
The next morning the general ordered
Powhattan brought out and led over to Mrs
Fauntleroy's. Calling John, he requested
him to go with him to call upon Mrs. Faunt
leroy.
The wing party has disgracei itself il
Mr.. Clay's district, sir, and am compelled
to part with the finest bloodcd horse in tn,
state to pay my wager with that lady, sir
The black boy had led Powhattan to tn,
hitching rail in front of Mrs. Fauntleroy'
yard, and, having tied him, had gone int,
the quarters to tell his brothers and sisters o
their mistress good luck in having won tn,
famous horse Powhattan.
When Gen. Peyton and John arrived they
found the pretty widow and two young ladl
friends in the yard admiriug Powhattan
The ladies were in high glec and after thu
usual salutatiCns the gentlemen were invited
to take seats on the porch, which they did
Madam" sad the general to Mrs Faunt
leroy, have come here, like true Ken
lucky gentleman, to pay the wager hav'
lost. Powhattan, madam, is rightfull,
yours"
" But, general" said she, II believe tn,
wager was conditional. 1t was the horse o.
anything else on the place, was it not p
4" Madam" he replied, you are correct
But there is nothing on my place one.half il
value of Powhattau. cannot permit yol
to select an inferior animal"
The pretty widow blushed to the tips o
her fingers when she said "You have an
other and superior animal here-your sol
John; if he would but use his tongue,
think | shall choose him.
There was a moment of dead silence, theI
laugh, in which the general did not join
He rose, and in the blaDdest manner bad
her good night, To John he said "Sir
you will remain"
And that was the way John Peyton cam
to marry the pretty widow Fauntleroy,
Gen. Peyton never forgave his prett,