The Two Widows; Or Matrimonial Jumbles

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1854. Excerpt: ... and spiral quality, with the brutus of Wagglehorn? We will not here enter upon any comparison of the relative gloss of the black suits worn by the two gentlemen, --what can you expect from a schoolmaster with thirty pounds per annum, and lodging, firing, and candles? It was two years ago, then, and upon a most tremendously hot Sunday that our story commences. Bargeman himself declares that it was a regular broiler, and that, coming from him, settles the question--it was a hot day. The time by the clock in the little wooden steeple of Moodle Vale church was seven minutes and a half to one p.m., when, the service being just over, the congregation emerged from the porch of such church, looking as hungry and devout as possible. You could tell by their faces, that they were twelve o'clock diners on week days, every man jack of them, and that a nap would be a natural consequence of the meal they were prepared to make. Mr. Samuel Bargeman, of course attired officially, was the first to make his appearance; he at once seated himself upon a tombstone beside the path, and watched, with visible anxiety depicted on his countenance, the faces of the congregation, as they left the church. Several persons nodded to him as they passed, but he saw them not; at that moment his mind was too intent by far upon other things, to allow him to recognize merely acquaintances. Mr. Samuel Bargeman was evidently watching for some one to appear. The long hand of the clock in the steeple shewed that it only wanted five minutes to the hour, when it became apparent from the sudden change in his manner, that the moment was at hand. In a twinkling the red coat was unbuttoned and thrown back, and the yellow waistcoat, blue knee-breeches, and white stockings, sat revealed in all their glowin...