Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1879-04-02
THE FROZEN NOSE THAT WON !
WIDOW.

A beautiful winter night; cold, clear
and cutting; cleaning with myriads OF
frost-hakes, which shone in the air,
sparkled on the house-tops and danced
everywhere; and lighted by that great
host of scintillating stars, which twinkled
their happiest wrinkles and seemed bub-
bling over with merriment because it
was Christmas eve. A spirit of brisk
good humor pervaded every animate
hing. The policeman, buttoned to the
chin, paraded his beat with martial
ar, on quick time, pausing only to ex-
mango a friendly word with the girl who
atended to the peanut-stand or to
warm his hands at the charcoal furnace.
The very hack horses switched their
tails in glee and started off at brisker
gait, while the driver whistled his live
lest tune. A crowd of bel,ted purchas-
erS crowded the streets, .lostling one an
o,her good-naturedlv and bobbing in
and out of toy.shops and confectioner-
les, burdened with great packages of
| Christmas goods.
We follow only two-a pair of genial
smtlemen, who threaded their way,
M.in.arm, with much difficulty
BAKING no bundles to indicate that they
@been shopping. it was still apparent
0lhe practical observer that they had
been spending their money freely, and
investing literally at the numerous bar
rooms which had come in their way.
There was that suggestive disconnection
IN their conversation, and that SUSPECT
Gus unsteadiness in their walk, and that
abundant caution exercised in crossing
streets, which betray the convivalist in
' spite of all MS efforts. Rather paradox
Ically, the farther these cronies advanc
ed the less progress they made, as their
aiihculties of locomotion increased at
every step, and they found it necessary
to make frequent halts in friendly cof-
ee-houses, In order to rest their weary
lmbs, warm their benumbed fingers
and sample the excellent egg-nos with
winch they were continually tempted.
Ut IS long ways between saloons"
seemed to be the burden of their re-
marks, which, indeed, was but a slight
Varlatlon III words, and none at all in
eject from the famous observation
made by ME governor of North Carroll
ma to the governor of South Carolina, to
VIII; Its a long time between drinks"
finally, however, they visited their last
saloon and dispatched their last glass of
eSs'nog, after which, with their arms
'"lhed most atiectionately about each
'tner, they turned down Longwcrth
street IN search Of their lodgings.
a ra1a Il Il ! !, Of
s"VIe OF lntoxication when we may safe
y say they were muddled, or--if the ex-
preston Is more forcible, most wofully
4sunk, and, being unaccustomed to this
condition, the finding of their place of
aooUe was task of greater magnitude
Ian one would suppose. Through
PUCK, perseverance, or good luck, how
s'er, they at last found themselves gaz-
1s supply on Il tin sign inscribed "Pri-
.H'e Boarding" tackled upon a house
~1'tii they agreed, after heated debate,
o@> Ihelr own. They fumbied time
=, we key-hOle before ehecting an en-
~"iice and then, with many maudlin
aoou-Aights IN the hall, they sought
"'gte respective apartments and beds.
licked away between ner warm
9:.1n.Nets, and biissfully ignorant of the
~ss!pation into which her boarders had
a.1lged, peacefully slept and sweetly
,.7"iHeds' the buxom little widow who
resided over this house. Buxom She
@as' indeed. and so decidedly hand.
me That it were beyond the pale OF
son ., TO believe she would long remain
" Widows weeds. So cheerful. so
,s s..aI'Iy' % very fascinating was she,
TIM Tim Ioarders locked to her little es-
oa .2;.'sllinent, quite contented, if they re-
4 ,,t no more substantial nourisnment,
-. sl4oslst on the smiles and sweet
2 ~ q the widow Lamar.
5,.I ~ lestlye gentlemen already intro
r- ~, Jack Rogers and Bob Carter,
- ...eF and sewingmachlne agent, res
e.,ely; were both widow struck.
= sat At her table daily, quaffing in.