The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1882-04-14
THE POT OF GOLD.

THE POT OF GOLD.
Elder Boyd, though very good man
in the main, and looked up to with re-
spect by all the inhabitants of the vii
lago of Oldyille, was rumored to have,
In Yankee .parlance, a pretty sharp look
out for the main chance, a popularity
from which elders are not always ex-
empt.
In worldly matters he was decidedly
well-to-do, having inherited fine farm
from bis father, which was growing
yearly moro and more valuable. It
might be supposed that under these
circumstances the elder, who was fully
able to do SO, would have found help
mate to share his house and name
But the elder was wary. Matrimony
was to him, in some measure, O. matter
OF money, and it was his firm resolve
not to marry unless he could thereby
onchance his worldly prosperity. IN
happily, the little village of Oldville and
tile towns in the immediate vicinity con-
tanned few who were qualified in the i'm
portant particular, and of those there
We're probably none with whom the ell
der's suit would have prospered. SO it
happened that year after year passed
away, until Elder Boyd was in the
prime of life-forty- or thereabouts
and still unmarried, and likely to
remain 80. But in all human
calculation of this kind, they reckon ill
who leave widows out.
Elder Boyd's nearest neighbor was o
widow.
The Widow Hayes, who had passed
through matrimonial experience, was
some four years younger than Elder
Boyd. She was still buxom, comedy
woman, as widows are apt to be.
Untortunate'- 70. Mr.. Hayes had
not been o sufficient to
make her inaot 81 the world. All
that she possessed was the small, old
fashioned house in which she lived, and
a small amount of money, which was in
sufficient to support her and little 500
OF g., likewise TO be enumerated in the
schedule of her property, though hardly
to be classed as productive of any
thing but mischief.
The widow was therefore Obliged to
take. care of three boarders to exc out
her scanty income, which, of course, inn
posed upon her considerable labor and
anxiety.
Is it surprising that under these cir
cumstances she should now and then
have bethought herself of second mar
riage as a method of lettering her con.
dition? Or again, need we esteem it q
special wonder if, in her reflections
upon this point, she should have cast her
eyes upon her next neighbour, Elder
BoydP The elder, as we have already
SAID, was in. fourishing circumstances.
He would be able to maintain wife in
great comfort, and, being one of the
chief personages in the village, could ac-
cord her prominent social posi-
tior. He was not especially handsome,
or calculated to make q profound i'm
preston upon the female heart this was
true, but he was of good disposition,
kind-h hearted, and would no doubt make
a very good sort of husband. Widows
are, [ take it Gf any shall do me the
honor tn read this story, I trust they
will forgive the remark) less disposed to
weigh sentiment in second allio0ce
than first, and so, in the widows
point Of view, Elder Boyd was a very
desirable match.
Some sagaclous person, however, has
observed that it takes two to make a
match, fact to be seriously considered;
for In the present case it was exceed
lugly doubtful whether the worthy
elder, even If he had known the favora-
bile opinion ofhis next neighbor, would
have been inclined to propose changing
her name to Boyd, unless, indeed a
suitable motive was brought to bear
upon hlm. Here was chance for lit
Tile managing. wherein widows are said,
as general thing, to be expert.
One evening, after day of fatiguino
labor, Widow Hayes sat at the fire in the
iitting-room, with her feet resting on the
fender.
" If ever I am situated so as not to
have to work so hard" she murmured.
-" shall be happy. It's a hard life,
Keeping boarders. II I was only as we'll
off as Elder Boyd"
sui the widow kept up her thinking.
ana oy-and-by her face frightened. She
had an idea which abs .esolved to nut
into execution at the earliest possible
moment. What it was the reader will
discover in the sequel.
Freddie" said she to her son the
next morning, want you to stop at
Elder Boyd's when you 90 to school and
ask him if he will call on me in the
course of the morning or afternoon.
just as he finds it most convenient"
Elder Boyd was a little surprised at
this summons. However, about IL
h'elock he called in. The widow had got
on the dinner, and had leisure to sit
down. She appeared a little embar-
rassed
Freddie told me you would like to
see me, La commenced.
Yes. elder, I should. But I am
very much afraid you will think strange
at least of what | have to say to YOU"
The elder promised very politely not
to be surprised, thsugh at the same time
his curiosity was visibly excited.
suppose, said the widow, casting
down her eyes-"mind, was only SUP
posing a case-suppose person should
find pot of gold pieces in their cellar
would the law have right to touch Il
or would it belong to them?" The elder
pricked up his ears.
"a pot of gold pieces, w;dowP Why.
unqnestionably. the law would have
nothing to do with it.
"And the one who formerly owned