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

l
white CLOTH and the whole, when completed,
was designed 10 form the twentieth part OF
a bedspread She seemed all engrossed with
the birds bill, and spoke TO no one. Every
body wondered II she had heard what they
| were saying when she came in, but her placid
countenance soon reassured the most fear
full, aud every one longed to commence a
personal attack.
| Old Grandma W. was the first TO venture.
She meant @ TO do up the matter " very deli
cately, and in so roundabout way " the
lady should not suspect her of curiosity. So
she began by praising Mrs. C.'s dress. "Why,
it's real beauty" said she "where did
you get it 2"
~ bought it," was the quiet reply.
| Here 2"
| "No"
| "Where, then 2"
ain New York last spring"
| go, you did, did your But / thought
you wasn't never going TO wear ANYTHING
but black again" Every one scrutinized
the lady's face this time in search of blush,
| but it continued as pale as was usual, while
she answered;
| 81 did think and say so once, but have
fully changed my mind"
"You have ha But what made you 2"
80, had good reasons" Here the hear
ers and lookers-on winked expressively at
each other.
"But didn't you spoil your beautiful
white dress Sunday night, wearing it way
up there to the burying-ground 7"
81 did not"
"You didn't du tell But how could
you help it There was wonderful heavy
dew"
al did not wear it."
Here was damper to the old lady. She
had such a long lecture TO read on extrava-
gance, and she was so determined to do it,
too, when unfortunately for her eloquent
strain, Mrs. C.'s dress had hung UP in her
wardrobe all the time, and she had worn an
old black silk.
After a while the old lady took fresh
start. She would not be so bafled again.
She would find out all about that beau be-
fore she went home, I" that she would" So
she began by saying, Your company went
away this morning, didn't they ?"
"Ihey did !" was the answer, wee bit
OF emphasis resting on the "Mey."
I" He didn't stay very long, did he ?"
Not as long as | wish he had" was the
emphatic answer this time. And how the
ladies did look at each other. II was as
good as a confession.
"When did he come ?"
Saturday evening"
Was you looking for him ~
I" had been expecting him fortnight"
"Why, du tell, if you had then, and YOU
never told ont either. Had he business in
the place p
"He had"
"What was it 2" This was rather more
direct and blunt than the old lady had meant
to put it, and she forthwith apologized by
~ Iptt
thought-I-"
90, I'd as lief you knew as not" said the
lady, with charming air of naipete "he
came to see me-"
0, Widow c.. didn't your good name 20
down then. Be careful what you say next,
or you'll have only remnant of character to
go home with, and remnants always go cheap
I" lie did, did he, and he didn't come for
nothing else then But was you glad to
see him :"
Indeed l was. 1t was one of the hap
piest moments Of my existence"
"Well, WE'LL" said the old lady, hardly
knowing how to frame her next question,
swell, he's real good-looking man, anyway"
q think so, too, and he's not only good
looking, but he's good-hearted- Of the
best men ever knew"
/" You don't say so then But is he rich 2"
"Worth hundred thousand or so," said
the lady, carelessly.
"Why, du tell, if he is. Why, you'll live
like lady, won't you? But what's his
name 7"
The old lsdys curiosity was now reused
to the highest pitch.
Henry Macon"
"Macon Macon Why, wasn't that your
name before you were married ?"
alt was"
"Ihen he's connection, is he p
"He is."
"Du tell, if he is then Not a cousin, I
hope. never did think much of marriages
between cousins"
Henry is not my cousin"
:" He isn't Not your cousin But what
connection is he, then, du tell, now2 ?"
He is my youngest BROTHER"
Ii ever there was rapid progress made in
sewing and knitting, by any circle of ladies,
1t was by those composing this society, for
the next fifteen minutes. Not word was
uttered, not an eye raised Had the latter
been done, aad the roguish and expressive
glances which passed between Mrs. C. and
the minister, who unobserved had stood on
the threshold, a silent spectator and curious
hearer, perhaps, mind you, we only say per-
haps they might have guessed more correctly
the name, character, standing aud profession
OF the widows beau.-Seiected.