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cation. After ſome reflection, therefore, a device entered into her head, as ſtrange and ſurprizing, as it was wicked and vile; and this was actually to marry the old woman, and to deceive her, by means which decency forbids me even to mention.
The wedding was accordingly celebrated in the moſt public manner, and with all kind of gaiety, the old woman greatly triumphing in her ſhame, and inſtead of hiding her own head for fear of infamy, was actually proud of the beauty of her new huſband, for whoſe ſake ſhe intended to diſinherit her poor great-grandſon, tho’ ſhe had derived her riches from her huſband’s family, who had always intended this boy as his heir. Nay, what may ſeem very remarkable, ſhe inſiſted on the parſon’s not omitting the prayer in the matrimonial ſervice for fruitfulneſs; dreſt herſelf as airy as a girl of eighteen, concealed twenty years of her age, and laughed and promoted all the jokes which are uſual at weddings; but ſhe was not ſo well pleaſed with a repartee of her great-grandſon, a pretty and a ſmart lad, who, when ſomebody jeſted on the bridegroom becauſe he had no beard, anſwered ſmartly: There ſhould never be a beard on both-ſides: For indeed the old lady’s chin was pretty well ſtocked with briſtles.
Nor was this bride contented with diſplaying her ſhame by a public wedding dinner, ſhe would have the whole ceremony compleated, and the ſtocking was accordingly thrown with the uſual ſport and merriment.
During the three firſt days of the marriage, the bride expreſſed herſelf ſo well ſatisfied with her choice, that being in company with another old lady, ſhe exulted ſo much in her happineſs, that her friend began to envy her, and could not forbear inveighing againſt effeminacy in men; upon which
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