Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1879-04-19
An Artful Widow.


/ Il lis universally conceded that widows
and especially young widows arc the most art
ful creatures 10 the World. They seem TO
krow ali mans weaknesses, aud to play upon
them remorseleSsly, Same ladies few days
since were discussing n little incident that re-
cently occurred in which this peculiarity was
conspicuously displayed. 4 wealthy yoang
widow had won the affections OF certain
youth. and there was every indication Of u
speedy marriage. when the oil gentleman-the
Young mans ia,ber-nnexpectedly inierposed
a decided negative. He was siaid old dea-
cen and himself q Whoever. His objections in
themselves were trivial He had disliked tie
widows father, aud TIE feud Of a long time ago
be sought 10 revive for the benefit of the de-
cendauts who, perhaps bad never heard Of il.
Still, the old gentleman was implacable, and
there was nothing left but to yield 40 apparent
acouiesccuce in his commands. But he rcck-
oned without hls host when he thought 10 cir
cumvcn. that pretty little widow. The young
people laid their heads together. and the result
was a plan Of operations which could the old
De con have known the true inwardneSs OF II.
would have given him additional reason for
believing in the total depravity OF human ma
,ure. The dniiinl son ceased his attentions
and went ahuut gloomy aud dissatisfied, whilo
the widow blcowed out iuto radiant picture
Of love.ineSs. Whenever she met the Old dea-
con. which was often, she lavished upon him
her sweetest and most bewtching smiles. lie
came Is regard her attentiyely, and his eyes
were always sure to encounter te0der, pen
sive face, which ere long began 20 play wild
work with the old 'ieacon,s sober aGections.-
She threw herself 10 his way aud won upon
his heart fast aud irrcsisti5ly. II was only u
few weeks before the old gentleman was com
PEELED to acknowledge that he was head over
ears in love with that charming relict. The
scruples which be entertained for bis son never
occurred to him as being Of sufficient impoI
tance to influence his own conduct. And 50
be proposed.
"Oh, Deacon, never thought any such
thing" protested the beautiful woman.
- Bui you must have thonsht q it. You
h. Ye surely seen that was loving you"
but thought You objected to my family.
You said that none Of my fathers children
should ever come iuto your family"
who me9 Why never tbought II
such thing. 1t would be the proudrst hour
Of my life to see you one Of my family"
"Now. Deacon is that really so?
" { is indeed
"Aud you would have no objection TO
marriage which should make mo member Of
your family2" inquired the artful womap,
looking teudcrly at the old man. while deli
cious thrills of jcy rpglod over the .deacons
hrart.
'Obje. Why tel you tits the hope /
cherish most III my life
Why ! am so glad !" and .heroupon the
widow threw her arms around the old mau's
neck apd amacked his lips with kiss thai
fairly took his breath away.
II there ever vas a mao on earth who felt
that he was staudiug on ,tbo threshold Of tho
seventh heaven, the deacon was that man.
lie was more Of your bashful Carpet-Knight
wooors, aud re gave the widow back as good
as she sent. When she thought be was
wrought up to a pitch Of foudness equal TO the
announcement, sho murmurel-" I'm 80 glad.
viii aud had begun TO think you neye.
would consent 10 our getting married, ard wa
loved each other 80 dearly" and again tho
widow soft white arms were clasped around
the old deacous scrswny neck, aud ber little
rosebud lips lGtlered against bis lips
Hey |" exclaimed the deacon. starting back
in overwhelming surprise. What is tina. you
say? VIII and you-why bless my soul. what
do you mean?'
"Wby, that Will aud have loved each
othe, long time, and I'm glad that you will
now consent to our getting married" murmur-
cd the den,urc lady.
However much 10 love the deacon was no
fool. Ilc sew .ha, be had been artfully en-
trapped, and his oense Of The ludcrous, enabled
hin to appreciate tho &c,
{" | reckon I've made a !it;le mistake here"
he soliloquized, rather sadly.
+" But It's all right. You aud VIII had bet
ter get married as soon IS possible" and tho
old man left tie widows presence with an
overwhelming sense Of defeat, but with tho
very bigbcet possible appreciation Of the art
iul devices of widows. and Of this widow in
particular, and whenever he thought Of Il az
terwsrd, that old deacons rugged countcnance
rlppled all over with smiles.