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,
sen, and was a standing joke with famous
-Sag, so 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 he 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
a conversation on the subject Daniel suggest
ed that widow of a near friend of the Colonel
would snit his case very satisfactorily and ad-
vlsed him to take move in that direction.


The Colonel pondered over the matter and
came to a valuable conclusion. He was not
acquainted with the lady, and indeed, had
never seen her, but the choice OF so excellent
man as his friend, he felt persuaded, must be
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 10 New Hampshire village,
he apologized for any seeming freedom on his
part, in calling, and pleaded in excuse, his in-
timacy with her deceased lord. He was gra.
ciously received and invited to remain. A view
of the dame aud an evening spent with her did
not prove as propitous as.his hopes had led him
to expect. The lady was full of admiration
and tender memories of her husband in whom
her heart still seemed wrapped up. In her
praise of. the dead the Colonel cordially joined,
but be felt an awkward disinclination to take
to his bosom wife whose love was so ardently
devoted to the memory of a predecessor.


However, the Col. was matter of fact man,
and having come upon special business, he
concluded to accomplish it, and take the haz-
ards Accordingly, about the time for retiring,
he opened his subject and stated the purpose
of bis 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-coud 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 on, in-shallI say it-widow fashion.


The poor Col, grieved and astonished, but
not altogether dissatisfied, apologized earnest.
ly. He was lonely and felt the need Of a COM
panion-had cherished the friendship of her
husband, who was an intimate friend-had
thought their union might be mutually desira-
bic and beneficial, and made quite lengthy
speech in self-vindication 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 10 the good Colonel He
bore himself with the amenity of courty
gentleman, and as soon as breakfast was ended
prepared to start. The widow seemed in
mighty furry, and urged a stay to dinner. but
the Colonel felt obliged to be On the fsscc,e
homeward. At last be was at the door, and
offered his hand for a parting pressure. The
widow clasped it, held it for moment. trem-
bled, blushed, turned aside her head and gent
" murmured:


Well, Colonel, l have been thinking of-of
of-what you said, and I-I-I--I-thmkI
might 5e induced