Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1879-02-19
An Artfnl Widow.
1t is universally conceded that wild

1t is universally conceded that wild
ows-and especially young widows
are the most artful creatures in the
World. They seem to know all mans
weaknesses, and to play upon them re-
morselessly. Some ladies a few days
since were discussing n little incident
that recently occurred, in which this
peculiarly was conspicuously display
ed. A wealthy young widow had won
the affections of a certain youth, and
there was every indication of a speedy
marriage, when the old conference.-the
young mans father-unexpectedly in
terposed decided negative. He was
staid old deacon and himself a widow
er. His objections in themselves were
trivial. He had disliked the wild WIS
father, and the feud of long time ago
he sought TO revive for the benefit of
the descendants, who, perhaps had nev-
er heard of it. Still, the old gentleman
was implacable, and there was nothing
left but to yield an apparent acquies-
cence in his commands. But he reck-
oned without his host when he thought
to circumvent that pretty little widow.
The young people laid their heads to-
gether, and the result was plan of Op-
erations which could the old deacon
have known the true inwardness of il,
would have given him additional rea-
son for believing in the total depravity
Of human nature. The dutiful son ceas-
ed his attentions and went about
gloomy and dissatisfied, while the wild
ow bloomed out into a radient picture
of loveliness. Whenever she met the
old deacon, which was often, she Law
ished upon him her sweetest and most
bewitching smiles. He came TO regard
her attentiveiy, and his eyes were al
ways sure to encounter tender, PEN
sive face, which ere long began 10 play
wild work with the old deacon's sober
affections. She threw herself in his
way and won upon his heart fast and
lrresistibly. 1t was only few weeks
before the old gentleman was compen-
ed to acknowledge that he was head
over ears in love with that charming
relict. The scruples which he enter
tanned for his son never occurred to him
as being of sufficient importance to in
huence his own conduct. And so he
proposed.
"Oh, Deacon, / never thought any
such thing" protested the beautiful
woman.
"But you must have though: of it.
You have surely seen that l was loving
you"
'sBut thought you objected to my
family. You said that none of my faith
er's children should ever come into
your family"
"who? mey Why l never thought
of such thing. would be the proud
est hour of my life to see you one of my
family"
"Now, Deacon, is that really so?''
''It is indeed"
"And you would have no objection TO
u marriage which should make me a
member of your family?" inquired the
srtful woman, looking tenderly at the
old man, while delicious thrills of joy
rippled over the deacon's heart.
.'Object! Why 1 tell you it is the
hope cherish most in life."
"Why 1 am so glad,'' and thereupon
the widow threw her arms around the
old mans neck and smacked his lips
with kiss that fairly took his breath |
no,fl I
who felt that he was standing on the |
threshold of the seventh heaven, the |
deacon was that man. He was none of |
your bashfnl Carpet-knight wooers,
and he gave the widow back as good as
she sent. When she thought he was !
wrought up TO pitch of fondness equal
to the announcement, she murmured-
"I'm so glad. VIII and had begun
to think you never would consent to our |
getting married, and we loved each |
other so dearly" and again the widows |
oft white arms were clasped around |
he old deacon's scrawny neck, and her |
little rosebud lips fiuttered against his
lips.
Hey" exclaimed the deacon, start
ing back in overwhelming surprise.
"What is that you say? VIII and you
why bless my soul, what do you
mean?"
"Why, that VIII and have loved
each other a long time, and I'm glad
hat you will now consent to our getting
married, murmure6 the demnre lady. |
However much in love. the deacon
was no fool. He saw that he had been
artfully entrapped, and his sense of the
ludricrous, enabled him to appreciate
the joke.
81 reckon I've made little mistake
here" he soliloquized, rather sadly.
"But it's all right You and VIII
had better get married as soon as possi-
ble," and the old man left the widows
presence with an overwhelming sense
of defeat, but with the very highest
possible appreciation Of the artful de-
vices of widows, and Of this widow in
particular, and whenever he thought of
It afterward, that old deacon's rugged
eountenance rippled all over with
smiles.