Year: 1862

The fraternity of widowers has been largely
drafted upon for materials to point morals and
adorn tales and stories. The story | am about
to relate happened-or perhaps did not hap,
pen, and was standing joke with famous
wag, 50 many years ago that it can DO no harm
to relate in print, as he often did in the social
circle, somewhat in this wise:


a relative of Daniel Webster, whom we
will call Col. Webster, had the misfortune to
lose his wife, to whom be was tenderly attach
ed. He was man characterized by much of
the coolness, wit and shrewdness of the family.
Time gradually soothed his grief, and finally
he felt sufficiently lonely to desire the compan-
ionship of wife once more. In the course of
conversation on the subject, Daniel suggest
ed that widow Of a near friend of the Colonel
would suit his case very satisfactorily, and ad-
vised him to take move in that direction.


The Colonel pondered over the matter and
came TO valuable conclusion. He was not
acquainted with the lady, and indeed, had





man as his friend, he felt persuaded, must be a
worthy one for him. Accordingly, 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 calling and pleaded in excuse, his in-
q. Il / i T.
ciously received and invited to remain. A view
of the dame and an evening spent with her did
not prove as proptious as his hopes had led him
to expect. The lady was full of admiration
and tender memories of her husband, in wlom
her heart still seemed wrapped up. In her
praise Of the dead the Colonel cordially Joined,
but he felt an awkward disinclination to take
to his bosom wife whose love was so ardently
devoted to the memory of predecessor.


However, the Col. was matter Of fact man,
and having come upon special business, he
concluded to accomplish it, and take the hag-
ards Accordingly, about the time for retiring,
he opened his subject and stated the purpose
of his visit, and his belief that they could in>
crease their mutual happiness by filling for
each other, the places of their deceased part
ners.


Hereupon the woman burst into violent
weeping-was surprised that he dare do such
a thing-could never love another man-would
never wed again, never-would cOnsecrate all
her life to her dear loved one, so cruelty torn
from her arms, and now in the cold, cold grave
and so oD, in-shall say it-widow fashion.


The poor Col, grieved and astonished, but
not altogether dissatisfied, apologized earnes'.
ly. He was louely and felt the need of COM
pauion-had cherished the friendship of her
husband, who was an intimate friend-had
thought their union might be mutually desira-
BILE and beneficial, and made quite a lengthy
speech in self-yindication and TO soothe the
disturbed feelings of the unhappy lady-and
finally she dried her tears and ceased her Ia
mentations, and the scene was closed by the
Colonel retiring to bed.


In the morning the widow had recovered
her peace of mind, and was all attention, gra
ciousness and smiles to the good Colonel He
bore himself with the amenity of courtly
gentleman, and as soon as breakfast was ended
prepared to start The widow seemed in {
mighty furry, and urged a stay to dinner, bu
the Colonel felt obliged TO be on the move
homeward. At last be was at the door, anC
offered his hand for parting pressure. Th'
widow casped it, held it for moment, trem
bled, blushed, turned aside her head, and gent
ly murmured:


Well, Colonel, have been thinking of-o
of-what you said, and I-I-I-I--fhl'lk
might be induced.