In the old town of W——, in the Pine-tree State, lived one of those unfortunate lords of creation who had, in not a very long life, put on mourning for three departed wives. But time assuages heart-wounds, as well as those of the flesh. In due time a fourth was inaugurated mistress of his heart and house. He was a very prudent man, and suffered nothing to be wasted. When the new mistress was putting things in order, while cleaning up the attic she came across a long piece of board, and was about launching it out of the window, when little Sadie interposed, and said: "Oh! don't, mamma! that is the board papa lays out his wives on, and he wants to save it!" Nevertheless, out it went.
68. WIDOW OUTWITTED
In a Western village a charming, well-preserved widow had been courted and won by a physician. She had children. The wedding-day was approaching, and it was time the children should know they were to have a new father. Calling one of them to her, she said: "Georgie, I am going to do something before long that I would like to talk about with you."
"Well, ma, what is it!"
"I am intending to marry Dr. Jones in a few days, and—"
"Bully for you, ma! Does Dr. Jones know it?"
Ma caught her breath, but failed to articulate a response.
69. TOO KIND
[Where can we find a more touching manifestation of mutual benevolence than the following.]
In New Jersey reside two gentlemen, near neighbors and bosom friends, one a clergyman, Dr. B——, the other a "gentleman of means" named Wilson. Both were passionately fond of music, and the latter devoted many of his leisure hours to the study of the violin. One fine afternoon our clerical friend was in his study, deeply engaged in writing, when there came along one of those good-for-nothing little Italian players, who planted himself under his study window, and, much to his annoyance, commenced scraping away on a squeaky fiddle. After trying in vain for about fifteen minutes to collect his scattered thoughts, the Doctor descended to the piazza in front of the house, and said to the boy: