Year: 1861

fountains OF the heart; they are the life
springs of fresh, healthy, and generous
national character


Thought She Might be Induced"


The fraternity of widows has been largely
drafted upon for material to point morals
and adorn tales and stories. The story I
am about to relate happcned--or perhaps
did not happen and was a standard joke
with famous wag so many years ago, that
it can do no harm now to relate it in print,
as he often did in the social circle, some
what in this wise:


A relative of Daniel Webster, whom we
will call Col. Webster, had the misfortune
to lose his wife, to whom he was tenderly
attached. He was a man characterized by
much of the GOODNESS, wit, and shrewdncss
of the family. Time gradually soothed
down his grief, and finally he felt sufficient
ly lonely to desire the companionship of
wife once more. In the course of CONVEX
sation on the subject, Daniel suggested that
the widow of a near friend of the colonel
would suit his case very satisfactorily, and
advised him to make move in that direc-
ton


The colonel pondercd over the matter,
and came to favorite conclusion. He was
not acquainted with the lady, and, indeed,
had Dever even seen her, but the choice of
so excellent a man as his friend, he felt per-
suaded, must be worthy one for him. Ac-
cordingly urged by Daniel he made an
early start to visit the widow and propose
his suit. Arrived at her house, which was
in New Hampshire village, he apologized
for any seeming freedom on his part in call
ing, and pleaded, in excuse, his intimacy
with her deceased lord. He was graciously
received and invited to remain A view of
the dame and an evening spent with her did
not prove as propitious as his hopes had led
him to expect. The good lady was full of
her admiration and tender memories of her
deceased husband, in whom her heart seemed
still wrapped up. In her praises of the
dead the colonel cordially joined but he
fek kNn awkward disinclination TO take to his
"a uss!s !a'lGu = sss.EeaK ardent
predecessor.


However, the colonel was matter fact
man; and, having come upon special busi
ness, he concluded to accomplish it, and
take the hazards. Accordingly, about the
time for retiring, he opened his subject and
stated the purpose of his visit, and his belief
that they could increase their mutual hap
piness by filling for each other the places of
their deceased partners.


Hereupon the widow burst into violent
weeping-was surprised he had dared do
such thing--could never love another
man-would never wed again, never
would consecrate all her life to.the dear,
dear loved one, SO cruelty torn from her
arms, and now in the cold, cold grave-and
so on in-shall [ say it?--widow fashion.


The poor colonel, grieved and astounded,
thoug h not altogether dissatisfied. apologized
earnestly. He was lonely aud felt the need
Of a ompanion-had cherished the friend
ship of her husband, who was his intimate
friend-had thought that their union might
be mutually desirable and beneficial and
made quite lengthy speech, in self-vindi-
cation and to soothe the disturbed feelings
of the unhappy lady-and finally she dried
her tears and ceased her lamentations and
the scene was closed by the coloneps retiring
to bed


In the morning the widow had recovered
her peace Of mind, and was all attention,
graciousness, and smiles to the good colonel
He bore himself with the amenity of court
ly gentleman, and as soon as breakfast was
ended, prepared to start The widow SEEM
ed in mighty furry and urged stay to
dinner, bat the colonel felt obliged to be on
the move homeward At last he was at the
door, and offered his hand for parting pres
sure. The widow clasped it, held it for a
moment, trembled blushed, turned aside
her head, and gently murmured


''Well, colonel, have been thinking
of-of-of what you said, and Ill
think l might he induced !''


The colonel gave her half quizzical.
half-serious look, and, replying with Good
morning, madam entered his chaise, and
left for home an instructed man.


Gs' What a wondrous sensation it is to
feel that chance expression we have used,
a few stray words, have been stored up as