Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-08-05
The widows Stratagem.

Deacon Bancroft, though a very good
man in the main, and looked up to with re-
spect by all the inhabitants Of the little
village of Centreville, was rumored to
have, in Yankee parlance, pretty sharp
eye to the main chance "a popularity
from which even deacons are not always
exempt.
In worldly matters he was decidedly we'll
to-do, having inherited fine farm from his
father, which was growing yearly more val.
liable. 1t might be supposed that under
circumstances the deacon, who was fully
able to do so, would have found a help
meet to share his house and name. But
the deacon was wary. Matrimony was to
him, in some measure, matter O. money,
and it was his firm resolve not to mary uu-
less he could thereby enhance his worldly
prosperity. Unbappily, the little village
Of Centrevile and the towns in tho i'm
mediate vicinity contained few who were
qualified in this important particular, and
Of those there we're probably none with
whom the doacon's suit would have pros
pered.
So it happened that year after year passed
away, until Deacon Bancroft was in the
prime of lile-iorty.fve, or thereabouts-
and still unmarried, and, in all human prob
ability, likely to remain so. But in all hui.
man calculations of this kind they reckon
i'll who leave widows out
The Widow Wells, who had passed
through one matrimonial experience, was
some three or four years younger than Dea-
con Bancroft. She was still quite buxom,
comely woman, as widows are apt to be-
Unfortunately, the late Mr.. Wells had not
been able TO leave her sufficient to make
her Independent Of the world. All that
she possessed was the small, old-fashioned
house in which she lived, and small
amount Of money, which was insufficient
to support her and little son of seven,
likewise to be enumerated in the schedule
Of her property, though hardly to be
classed as a productive of anything
but mischief.
The widow was, therefore obliged to
take three or four boarders, to exc out her
scanty income, which, of course, imposed
upon her considerable labor and anxiety.
Is it surprising that under these circum.
stances she should now and then have be-
thought herself of n second marriage, as a
method Of bettoring her condition ? Or,
again, need VIC esteem it a special wonder
If, in her reflections upon this point, she
should have cast her eyes upon her next
neighbor, Deacon Bancroft The deacon,
as we have already said, was in Furnishing
circumstapces. He, would be able to main
tam wife IN great comfort and, being
one oil tho chief personages in the village,
could accord her n prominent social posi-.
ton. He was not especially handsome, or
calculated to make profound impression
upon the female heart-this was true-but
he was of good disposition, kind hearted,
and would, no dout., make n very good
sort of husband. Widows are, take it,
(if any shall do me the honor to read this
story, | trust they will forgive the remark, }
less disposed to weigh sentiment in second
alliance than first, and so, in the widow
point Of view, Deacon Bancroft was very
desirable match.
Some sagacous person, however, has ob.
served that it takes two to make a match
fact to be seriously considered for il
the present case it was exceedingly doubt
full whether the worthy deacon, even if h,
had known the favorable opinion of hi
next neighbor, would have been inclined t,
propose changing her name to Bancroft
unless, indeed, suitable motive was brough
to bear upon him.
Here was chance for tinessing, wherein
widows are said, as general thing, to b,
expert.
Still the widow kept up her thinking
and by-and-by her face frightened up. Sh,
had an idea, which she was resolved to pu
into execution at the very earliest practi
cable moment. What it was the reader will
discover in the sequel.
Henry" said she to her sou the mex
morning, :" | want you to stop at Deacon
Bancrofts as you 60 along to school, ant
ask if he will call and see me in the cours,
Of the morning just as he finds it mos
convenient"
Deacon Bancroft was little surprised
at the summons. However, about clever
o'clock, he called in. The widow had 90
on the dinner and had leisure to sit down
She appeared littlo embarrassed.
Henry told me that you would like I,
see me-" be commenced
% Yes Daooon psnoroo 4. L., r..
very much afraid you will thiuk strange o
it--at least Of what | have to say to you.
to be surprised tboncb ot me same time hi
curiosity was yisiblv excited
"Supposep said The widow c,s,;ro dom,
her eyes-"mind, / am only suppesipg
case-sunnosc a nerson should Ga n,
gold pieces in their cellar wonId ,bo i.w
have right TO touch IL, or would Il belon,
to them ~
The Deacon pricked nm his ears
"a pot of gold pieces. widow Wbv
unquestionably, the law would have notbin,
to do with it,
And the one who had formerly owoo,
the house couldn't come forward and claim
it, could he, Deacon 2" inquired the widow
further. with annarent anr;e,v
"No, madam, upauestiopabiy not Wbe,
the house was disposed of. everything wen
with it, as a matter of course -;
81 am glad to hear il, deacon. Yo,
won't think strange of the question bnt |;
happened to occur 10 NV mind and