Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-07-08

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or calculated to make profound impress
sion upon the female heart; this was true,
but he was of good disposition, kind
hearted, and would no doubt make very
good sort of a husband. Widows are,
take it (f any shall do me the honor to
read this story l trust they will forgive
the remark), less disposed to weigh senti-
ment in a second alliance than a first.
and so, in the widows point of view,
Elder Boyd was a very desirable match
Some sagacious person, however, has
observed that it takes two to make d
match, a fact to be seriously considered ;
for in the present case it was exceedingly
doubtful whether the worldly elder, even
if he had known the favorable opinion of
his next neighbOr, would have been in
clined to propose changing her name to
Boyd, unless, indeed, suitable motive
was brought to bear upon him. Here was
a chance for a little managing, wherein
widows are said, as a general thing, to be
expert.
One evening, after a day of fatiguing
|
| sitting-room, with her feet resting on the
fender.
" If ever | am situated so as not to have
to work SO hard,'' she murmured, Il
shall be happy. It's a hard life keeping
boarders. If was only as well off as
Elder Boyd
Still the widow kept up her thinking,
and by and by her face frightened. She
had an idea, which she was resolved to
put into execution at the earliest possible
moment. What it was the reader will
discover in the sequel.
" Freddie" said she to her son the next
morning, 81 want you to stop at Elder
Boyd's as you go to school, and ask him
If he will call on me in the course of tt
morning or afternoon, just as he finds it
most convenient"
Elder Boyd was alittle surprised at this
summons. However, about eleven O'Clock,
he called in. The widow had got on the
dinner, and had leisure to sit down. She
appeared little embarrassed
Freddie told me that you would like
to see me- he commenced
Eyes, elder, | should But | am very
much afraid you will think strange, at
least, of what [ have to say to you"
The elder very politely promised not to
be surprised, though, at the same time, his
curiosity was visibly excited.
SUPPOSE said the widow, casting
down her eyes" mind, [ was only sup
posing a case-suppOse q person should
find pot of gold-pieces in their cellar,
would the law have right to touch it, or
would it belong to them?"
The elder pricked up his ears.
GA pot of gold-pieces, widow? Why,
unquestionably, the law would have moth
ing to do with it,
land the one who formerly owned the
house couldn't come forward and claim
it, could he, elder?"
No, madam; unquestionably not
When the house was disposed of, every
thing went with it, as matter Of course
6 | am glad to hear it, elder. You won t
think strange of the question, but it hap
pened to occur in my mind, and thought
| would like to have it satisfied"
"Certainly, widow, certainly" said the
elder, abstractedly.
and, elder, as you're here, I hope you
will stop to dinner with US. 1t will be
ready punctually at twelve.''
well, no." said the elder, rising, I'm
much obliged to We, but they'll be expect
ing me home"
cat any rate, elder,' said the widow,
taking piece of steaming mince pie from
the oven, "you won't object to taking a
piece ofmince pie. You must know that
| rather pride myself on my mince pies -
The warm pie sent up such delicious
odor that the elder was sorely tempted
and after saying: Well, really" with the
intention of refusing, he finished by say
ing: ''On the whole guess | will, as ii
looks so nice"
The widow was really good cook, and
the elder ate with much gusto the generous
piece which the widow cut for him, and
after little chatting upon unimportant
subjects, withdrew in some mental per
plexity
W do II pooo1olC, Thought Lt, uldI lllt
widow could really have found pot of
gold in her cellar? She did not say so, to
be sure, but why should she have shown
so much anxiety to know as to the propri-
etOrship of the treasure thus found if she
had not happened upon some? To be
sure, as far as his knowledge extended
there was no one who would be likely tc
lay up such an amount of gold; but then
the house was 150years old, at the very least
and had had many occupants of whom
he knew nothing. 1t might be, after all
The widows earnest desire to have him
: think it was only curiosity likewise gave
: additional probability to the supposition
: 4 will wait and watch, - thought the elder
1t so happened that Elder Boyd was one
| of the directors in saving Institution sit
} uated in the next town, and accordingly
| used to ride over there once or twice {
month to attend meetings of the Board
On the next occasion of this kind The
: widow Hayes sent over to know if HI