Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-10-29
The Widows Beau.

opening hymn. The eyes of his people wer'
fixed intently upon him, for he was not only
a good, sound, eloquent preacher, but he wa
fine-looking one, too and thus enchainet
usually not only the attention of the true bu
the false worshiper. The house was very
still-the clear, melodious tones of the speake
were the only sounds that throbbed on tn,
balmy, golden air which the mid-summel
Sabbath morn had breathed into that holy
place. The first syllable of the second line
was trembling on his lips, when rustic al
the door, and the entrance Of two persons, @
lady and gentleman, dissolved the charm
In second, every eye turned from the pulpit
to the broad AISLE and watched with more
than ordinary eagerness the progress of the
couple. A most searching ordeal were they
subjected to, and when they were fairly and
quietly seated in the front pew, Immediately
before the pulpit, what nudging of elbows
there was, ay, and how many whispers too
In vain sought the good, the sound, the elo
quent, the handsome Mr.. b. to seal again the
attention of his hearers. They had eyes and
thoughts for nobody but Widow c. and
Widow C.'syoung distinguishing attendant
How she had cheated them Hadn't she
said hundred times or more that her heart
was in the grave of her buried one, that she
would never marry again Hadn't she re-
fused always to walk out or ride out with
any of the unappropriated gentlemen of the
village? Hadn't she said she didn't feel as
though she could ever wear anything but
mourning2 And in spite of all these pro-
testations, hadn't she come out, all at once,
dressed all in white, and walked into church
in broad daylight, leaning OH the arm of a
young gentleman ]?
Yes, indeed she said. She would have
pleaded guilty to all these charges, grave
ones as they were, and to the last two how
many witnesses might have been subpenaed.
She was actually dressed in white. A beau
tiful robe Of India null, tucked to the waist,
with an open corsage, displaying an elab-
orately wrought chemisette, drapery sleeves
trimmed with the richest of Mechlin lace,
undersleeves Of the same expensive ma
terial, white Grape shawl, a white lace hat
with orange buds and flowers, white kid
gloves and light gaiters-such was the de-
scription every lady had on her tongues
end to repeat over as soon as service was
closed. And the gentleman-he, too, was
dressed in style. Didn't he wear white pants
of the latest pattern, and a white vest, and
a coat satin finish," and white kids too
and didn't he sport a splendid pin and a
massive chain, and didn't he gaze often, and
tenderly, and lovingly, on the fair creature
beside him q? All yes, he did so, and there
was no further room to doubt. Widow c.
bad cheated then. She had won a beau,
laid aside her mourning, put on her bridal
attire, and was going to be married in
church. But who the beau was, or whence
he came, was more difficult to solve.
Service proceeded. The choir sang, the
minister prayed and preached, the people
wondered when the ceremony would take
place. But, to their utter disappointment
they were left to wonder. For, when the
benediction was pronounced, Widow c. and
the strange gentleman walked with the rest
of the congregation quietly out of the
church. When they reached the pavement
he offered his arm very gracefully, and
she placed her hand very confdingly on
the beautifully soft coat-sleeve, and they
passed on.
What a incoming that was in Fairmont
What world of conjectures, surmises, inquir
les aud doubts rolled over and over in the
brains of not only gossiping ladies, but sober
matter-of fact gentlemen.
"The like of such thing" had never oc
CURED before in the annals of the village
There was something new under the SUM-
lady had had beau and nobody knew it.
Widow c., didn't your ears, not only the
right but the left, burn that day? All W,
wonder they hadn't dropped off-surely
they must have been crisp aud crimson.
The Rev. Mr.. b. preached to crowded
house that afternoon-no compliment Il
him though. The magnet was in the pew
before him. Every one was sure the wed
ding would take place then; but everybod,
was again sadly disappointed, and if tongue
had run at railroad speed before, they trav
eled then on the electric wires.
The minister might have preached il
Greek that day and his sermon would hav
been quite as edifying. But one subject en-
crossed the village mind. The widow
beau-that was the topic.
1t actually seemed too, as though tn
lady tried to make all the talk she could
After tea, arm in arm with the strange ger
tleman, she walked the whole length of th
village and away out into the cemetery, an
never returned till the moon was high.
"A nice-looking dress guess she had,
| drawled out old Grandma W., as she lis
ened to the widows wanderings. "Pm gla
| hain't got to wash it, all drabbled up wit
dew, as it must have been. But | don
spose she thought or cared word about i
she's so carried away with him. But L
| give her piece of my mind the first time
have chance, see if don't. Cheating I
all in this way"
But the good old dame began to fear b
Wednesday night she should never have tn
desired chance. She hurried through hi
washing on Monday, and hobbled over
the widows as soon as possible; but tt
door was locked, and one of the neighbol
said Mrs. c. and the gentleman went off
a carriage, nobody knew where, very early
the morning.
"Yes, and never got home till nine o'cloc
in the evening"
Look out, Widow c. Your character
on the carpet
If she knew it, apparently she didn't car
for the next day she went a sailing with h
beau, and the next day rambling with hi
away of TO the mountain, and on the ne
forenoon went with him in a carriage to Il
station house, and there not only wept
she parted from him, but actually embrac'
and kissed him.
"What in broad daylight 2" exclaim
Grandma w. Well If ever seed or hee
the like ont"
Little Nell, the old lady's youngest gran
child, wondered to herself if it were al
worse in broad daylight than at any 9th
time Perhaps you will wonder, TOO. v
do at least.
There was very large attendance th
afternoon at the weekly meeting of the SO
ing society. Everybody went that could %
sibly leave home. And what a chatter
, there was when the bustle OF assembling "
pvpr. Ihpra Waa hut ana tnnic hat ~