Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-12-12

several with no ordinary emotion. /
shall not attempt to describe the good
cheer which was provided, nor UNDER
take to set forth the order OF the COM
pany; 1t will be quite sufficient for my
readers to know, that Fenton, with John
Fortescre and daughter, were among
the guests; and that the usual substantial
ingredients of a Christmas-feast were
found there in abundance.
Dinner over, the wassail bowl was
sent gully round; and whilst the rude
carols 10 popular at that period, were
merrily sung, ever the iron c%ourtenance
of old Fortescue appeared to be soften
ed.
'Zounds, neighbour! said Sir Solo
mon, W want nothing but a wedding,
TO make our mirth complete
a wedding -humph! replied For
%tescue, in q tone in which it was very
doubtful whether he did not mean to
convey the idea that a wedding would
have rather detracted from, than added
to the mirlh.
AYE, a wedding!' continued Sir Solo
mon: did at one time, hope that Luz
cy and Fenton would have become man
and wife on this day; however, there
were settlements to make, aud writings
to draw up, and parchments to engross,
---and lawyers are so p'aguy slow v,
'Quick eneugh-qulck enough! in
making fast a bad bargain muttcred
Fortescue.
'But what would you say, friend For
tescuc, # there was a bride-a young
one too--now present among us:
The ladies' all Uttered; and each look
cd at her neighbour, as much as to say,
6 Is it you who have stolen a march up
on us" No ono spoke, however, but
Fortoscuc, who repIied,-' Humph! a
bride! | wish she maynt repent before
the weeks OUT
She'll not do that, l think. Aye.
lisa bella?
ooh, no, sir! not yet-lfI guess Alright
at the lady-to the end Of her life.'
tCome, that's a bold assurance, how
ever, fair one! 1t was a runaway
match; and sometimes they verify the
old proverb of Marry in haste, and re-
pcnt at leisure.' But that will not be
the case at this time; particularly if the
father does not prove hard-hearted, and
ma the happiness Of the young couple
He's a fool if he forgives them!'-
muttered Fortescue.
NAY nay, no: so, n%either,'' returned
Sir Solomon: What cant be cured, you
must be endured; and
'lf it vas your son, what would
you do?' interrogated Fortescue, inter-
rupting him.
DO? why, l should say, l wished
my child might be happy in her own
way, if she would not be happy in
mine; and | would take my son in law
by the hand, and say; you have sto-
len a match upon me, lad; but | forgive
you. Why, man, ! could never bear
enmity long in my life.'
'Humpb!--Good nature is near
akin to folly
Sir Solomon seemed not to hear
this not very courteous rctort; and he
Come, my lads and lasses, fill your
goblets to the brim; and iii give you
Francis Wellborn and his young
bride-health and prosperity to them!'
In an instant all were upon their
feet, to pledge the toast, excepting
Wellborn and Lucy, who sat, fixed as
statues-she with cheeks sufused with
bushes, and eyes cast to- the ground;
he with a look Of anxious and eager
expectation.
Sir Solomon had emp,ied his glass,
before he perceived his daughter re-
manned motionless at The table. 'Why,
Lucy, girl!' said the old man, won't
you pledge your cousin and his
bride;?'
'She is my bride!' exclaimed Well
born, taking her hand, and kneeling at
the feet of the knight. Father give
US your blessing! Let US be happy in
our own way, if we cannot be happy
in yonr's; and say you forgive me!!'
The establishment Sir Solomon felt
at this declaration was great. He was
some minutes before he recovered the
use of bis speech; at length he exclaim-
ed, in a tone half serious, halfin Jest
Lucy your bride! Nay, nay, Frank
that is carrying the joke too far.
Why, man, | myself saw you married
TO Isabella Fo~rtescue.' .
ITO whom?' Numbered old Fortes-
cue, striking the table with such vio-