Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1873-12-16
Selrtt Storp.
THE MESMERlZED WIDOW.
Martin Speed was a bachelor.

Martin Speed was bachelor
He had backed. and filed, and hesitated
and doubted. about entering the ''blissiul
state" OF matrimouy, until the fire of
youthful passion was all spent
Being a Phrenologist, he l.0 the prov.
ince of hearts altogether, and went 10
examining heads. 10 ascertain the crani-
illogical developments OF a womau's fit
ness for the position OF wife to Martin
Speed, Esq, as letters came addressed to
him a. the Spsedwell post Office.
The town OF Speedwell was named for
an ancestor OF his. and boasted OF sey.
eral thousand inhabitants; and as il was
"a factory place, ii had = goodly share Of
good. looking, marriaSeabie girls.
Martin studied Combe, and Spurzheim.
and Gall, aud grew bitter as disappoiut
menl saw him enter his forty first year. a
bachelor.
He looked baea on the past. and saw
the chances he h-d neglected, and the
happiness OF those who had started with
him. and were now portly people. the
hoad, aud fronts OF families; aud the
delicate damsels be bad lighted, respect,
ed mothers in Israel, and exemplary and
amiable wives.
He sought every opportunity for ex-
smining the heads OF such a. would sub.
nit themselves TO his hand with hope
OF catching the bachelor, for thcy knew
his weakness. and he was Nell.to do and
an eligible match
But in vain he looked tor perfection.
The bumps would not be ayr,n 5ed - he
wished them II he took "a hiking TO "a
pretty lace, ,phrenology Immediately gave
j, The lie straight, and he at once avoided
IT,
l, was at this juuclu,e that "a biological
lecturer-and a grave professor in that
science-came To Speedwe:l. and gave a
series of exhibitions. These Martin At
tended. and biology at once became au
intensity with him-a new emotion. ~
lie attended all the exhibitions; saw
men perseu-te roos,ers. and crow hens,
aud scratch; shiyer with cold OF burn
with heat. At the will oi the operator
saw a miSer endeayor TO clutch Al eagle
. held out 10 him while under the Influence
ol the wonderful spell, and the tongue OF
L woman slilled, who, for twenty years,
had been the pest of Speedwell by her
loqusciiy.
This put the mind OF Maitin on new
track. He sold his chronological works.
and devoted himself 20 the study OF the
wonderful science through which such
marvels were performed The professor
was fine teacher, and Martin placed
himself under his tuition. Ne succeeded
admirably In short time he surpassed
his instructor, and had more than his
powers in influencing the susceptible
among his weak brethren and sisters.
He formed a resolution to himself tha
through this means, he would gain wife
Could he find one that his science could
trAn>tix like the man who was stopped
by the mesmerizer half way down, As be
was falling from the root of q house-hC
would marry her; for the reason, dear
reader. that Martin had not married, was
that he had heard OF wives wearing-th'
authority over their lords, aud he was d
limid man.
In this new science he saw security
and he sedulOusly sought Tor one oi th'
right description. At every party where
he was invited. at every sewing circle, a
every knot OF factory girls in which he
mingled ia summer evenings he tried hi:
art, but without success. AT last, whet
On the point OF despairing, accident gave
what he had tailed of obtaining by
earnest seeking.
A widow, dangerous 10 bachelori'
peace, as edged tools are to the careies
hands Of th. ineNperier came 70 tn
village on visit The weeds had no
been removed that marked her bereave
m,nt, and The merest touch OF meian
cuoly rested on her broy, but her eye w"
laughing, and sweet curl strayed ava!
and lay like Il chiseled eddy upon th'
marble Of her cheek. She had Je"e
cn her hand, and he black dress she wore
was cut judiciously-tho milliner that ha'
cut II had been IA widow herself aud sh'
knew how 10 mauag. such matters
showing beautiful white shoulder, anC
revealing bust OF rare loyeliness.
Martin met the widow at the residence