The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-07-01

fern2pS email meet IN heaven
All the loved ones OF long ago,
Dear long ago!
A GAY WIDOW.
The first time that ever saw her was
from the window of my room in the ho-
tel. She was walking across the plateau,
and raised her fine eyes just as she passed.
A really striking face, something not ex-
actly bold, but courageous and intrepid,
about 1t, and very high color. Her step
was quick and firm, and figure perfection.
/ was little ':taken," and, hastily seiz-
ing my hat, ran down the steps and fol-
lowed her, straight to the spring where I
and my fellow guests were in the habit
of drinking those horrid waters every
morning. The widow in tuition told me
she was widow, and drank several
glasses of the wretched stuff, looking at
one another without exchanging word,
and SO in few minutes parted again.
For the two or three following NOM
ings it was the same, and we always met
at meals, and in the evening on the YER
anda or in the parlor. On these occasions
l always assumed a sort IF wagglsh,
knowing look, designed to vex her, and
30 it did; for she invariably stared
haughtlly back in return, her brilliant
color deepening to scarlet. Her name
was Mrs. Powder, widow OF the late la
mented General Powder, who lost his
legs and life leading an Alabama regi-
ment at Maruern Hill. So was told BY
colored walters.
Well, the little romance proceeded,
and in few days whenever I saw the
plump and pretty widow even ventur.
ed upon faint smile, which, however, I
am bound to say, she invariably rebuked.
Several of my friends asked me who she
was, and l told them very gay widow
from Selma "very gay" added, with
a wink of somewhat rakish character.
And thus it got about, and thus I DELHI
erately and idiotically entangled myself
In fix of most complicated and dis
tressing character.
For, two days afterward, while ENJOY.
ing my after-dinner cigar, and mentally
concluding that the flies were about as
troublesome and the weather as hot at
White Sulphur as any place had ever
visited, received this note:
"SIR-I have just learned your name,
anu W11lO az (uSO W AAAOA III YOU tlldG i
have heard of the manner IN which you
have spoken of me among the people
summering at this hotel. do not know
what you have seen in my conduct to JUS
tify the Interpretation you appear to have
put upon my character; but I can assure
you that those surmises are quite wrong.
Although alone in the world, am q wo-
man perfectly capable of taking care of
herself in every way, and at the very first
opportunity intend to make you under
stand the fact.
BESSIE SOUTHaATE POWDER
| now saw clearly what a fool I
had been. The lady had not given my
impertinence the least encouragement,
and my whole conduct had been that OF
coxcomo and an impudent fellow. l
was frightened. The letter was thorough
ly characteristic, and expressed no more
than would be carried out. There was,
in fact, a painfully strong suggestion Of
horsewhip about 1t.
l own frankly that I never was more
frightened in my life, A duel should
not have cared 50 mitch about; but the
other, a public chastisement at the hands
OF a woman, and at so public place as
I, the White Sulphur Sprlngs-lt was ap-
palling to contemplate.
] sat down and wrote Mrs. Powder a
letteran apology in the most abject OF
terms, and while the messenger was gone
with it, I stood at my window looking
out at the clouds in the distance moving
like armies preparing tor battle. There
was thunder storm coming up dismal
omen. whistled and drummed nervous.
~ ON the ledge OF the window, waiting
to hear the returning footsteps of the
darkey; and at last did hear them.
He brought back the letter unopened
the lady had declined to read it, he
said, with grin. I suppose he thought
it a proposal.
What was to be done? walked the
floor in agony long after. darkness had
fallen, and the sounding of the gong for
tea. I was afraid to 60 down to tea.
Suddenly thought occurred to mel
wonld 60 up stairs aud confide the whole
thing to Governor Aydslott, of Georgia,
who was lawyer, and might get me out
Of the difficulty il any man could. And
so very quietly stole away to his room
on the floor above, and fortunately found
him alone.
He was sitting in one Of the tall win
dews Leading upon short balcony out
side, watching the approach of the thun-
der-storm, now almost ready to burst:
At every few seconds trightful CLEAN
of lightning tore open the heavens, fol-
lowed by a burst of thunder that seemed
to shake the world.
s.Hullo! Como in come ;n!'' said the
governor. cheerily, lettering goutily to-