Alexandria Gazette

Gazette.
SATURDAY MORNING, JUNE 30, 1860.

ATTACHMENTS AND COURTING.—The following excellent little story was extensively published in the newspapers about sixteen years ago. It is good enough to be brought forward again. We do not know who wrote it, nor what paper furnished the facts described:

We have heard a good story, of which an Alabama Sheriff was the hero. Court was in session, and amid the multiplicity of business which crowded upon him at term time, he stopped at the door of a beautiful widow, on the sunny side of thirty, who, by the way, had often bestowed melting glances upon the aforesaid sheriff. He was admitted, and the widow appeared: the confusion and fright which the arrival of her visitor occasioned set off to greater advantage than usual the captivating charms of the widow M. Her cheeks bore the beautiful blended tints of the apple blossoms; her lips resembled the rose buds upon which the morning dew yet lingered, and her eyes were like quivers of Cupids, and glances of love and tenderness with which they were filled, resembled arrows that only invited a beau—pardon the pun, to do full execution. After a few commonplace remarks:

"Madam," said the matter-of-fact Sheriff, "I have an attachment for you."

A deeper flush than usual mantled the cheeks of the fair widow; the downcast eyes, whose glances were centered upon her beautiful foot, which half concealed by her flowing drapery, partly patted the floor. She with equal candor, replied:

"Sir, the attachment is reciprocal."

For some time the sheriff maintained an astonished silence—at length he said:

"Madam, will you proceed to court?"

"Proceed to court?" replied the lady with a merry laugh; then shaking her head she said.

"No sir! though this is leap year, I will not take advantage of the licence therein granted for my sex; and, therefore, I greatly prefer that you should proceed to court."

"But, madam, the justice is waiting."

"Let him wait: I am not disposed to hurry matters in so unbecoming a manner; and, besides, sir, when the ceremony is performed, I wish you to understand that I greatly prefer a minister to a justice of the peace."

A light dawned upon the sheriff's brain.

"Madam," said he, rising from his chair with solemn dignity. "there is a great mistake here, my language has been misunderstood. The attachment of which I speak has issued from the office of Squire C. and commands me to bring you instantly before him to answer a contempt of court, in disobeying a subpoena in the case of Smith vs. Jones."

We drop the curtain.