The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-04-17

am shot to death. shall escape marrying
the widow :"
When Paul arrived ut the field of action,
on the evenlful day, he found his spirits
deal irnsr than he had expected. in fact,
he felt inspired by the greatness Of the oc-
cnsion, and very naturally, for " hen a mun
knows he must either 6e sho, or married,
he must he aware that the crisis requires all
his for,itudr. Paul took his station with
the most bloodless intention, that ever
prompted man Of battle. - had much
rather be killed than kill, though, he.
T" One-two-ihree," said the seconds,
as PAIL raised his pistol 10 about foriy-scv-
en- degrees of elevation. "Fire bang 7"
The Colooel's buIle, ~his,Ied by Psuls enr,
and Pau's hit the sleepls Of marlin bsx
on the top Of an adjoining barn.
Twice more were the pistols tried, when
the seconds in,crfcred, the colonel declared
hc was satisfied, md they shook hands,
thereby showing iha, Paul Plant 10y shost-
ing three times in the faes If the blessed
sun, had proved ,ha, he "never supplnnt-
ed, beguiled and circumveuicd," the afore-
said Col. Strmi for SO It is laid down in
the " code Of honor"
Ii seemed now 10 be all over With Paul.
must be married them" snid he To him
self" killing wont save me-" The dny
WAS fixed and his fate seemed inevitable.
The nearer 1t approached the less he felt
resigned to il. The day before the we'd
ding. Paul met Doctor Bindemtight, tie
worthy, person who was to join him to his
bonuy bride.
doctor" said Paul, show shall I es-
cspel"
Marriage" said the Doctor 10 his most
solemn arguWentative way, "is considered
by NIL authorities, ecclesiastical, political,
ethical, legal and Judicial, as n bond or
covenant, entered into by The atuluui con-
sent aud agreement of The two purties."
Therefore an decidedly Of the opiuicn,
that when the ceremony is to take place,
and I PROFOUND the regular question,
wa you take this poman for your wiE T
You reply, Not is not marriage by
/ No manner of means.
~ can't de it," said Paul, n,ournfully,
:" have tried il n hundred times, but the
wsrd always stuck in my throat. There il
n spell upon me in matters Of denying
must assent 10 every thing. ] was born
without ,he capacity to do Otherwise. Ask
me if have three hends, I believe I should
say yes"
"Then you always say yes"
"Yes, always, certainly"
"Gsod-bye, friend Paul." snid the Dec
tor, civilIy touching his hat.
"Mercy on me !" exclsiued Paul Plant.
There was such n turn out among the
bellies the next day wish l had been
there to see it. Trinity Church was ihrong-
ed, for every body knew Paul Plant, and
the acquaintnnce of widow WlfuI conpris-
ed pretty nearly the whole of thar circle
which calls itself" good society,"" I wish,
moreover, ] had the talent Of the immortal
nulIier Of CIarrissa Harlswe ct describing
fealhers and lulesiring; then would 1 tell
how mngnifceniIy the widow was decked
out. But this cannot be done. Every
thing was as it should be, 10 the judgment
Of the world. The " happy pair" drove to
church, n long string Of coaches followed
them the widow blushed and "sn,ilcd aud
nIl the world was gay Was ever BRIDE
groom in state Of more ineXplicablc awk-
wardnessl 7 lie debated with himself for "a
aismcnt, whether he should not make n
desperate effort, take To his heels and run
but it was too late.
Paul cast a longing, lingering look be-
bind him as he entered the church door.
Farewell blessed light Of heaven = said
he to himself, 'tis the last time shall see
you free man = The widow held him
fast by the arm.
"Hy dear Paul." said she, "bcrc we
are at last"
"Yes." replied Pa.l, with groaG.
We nrs all ready" said the bridemsids
"Dearly beloved" began Doctor Bind
em,islt; Paul felt his heart beat terribly
4" One minute more and there will be TO
remedy ~ thought he. He looked most
impIsringly Al the doctor, as much ss to
say " can you he so cruel!" The doctor
made an awful pause before the erea, ques-
tim. Pau's heart beat faster than ever
" Now for the catastrophe ~ said he.--
The Doctor gave Paul keen look every
body was breathlcss. At length he spoke.
DO you refuse this somon for your
pit"
4" Yes ! exclaimed Paul, in the Iovdest
tone he was ever known to utter. la an
in.tnnt the idea flashed upon his mind, that
he was free. lie sPrang into the broad
aisle with the quiekness sfIightning, knock
ing down M old gentleman in spectseles,
burst through the crowd, and boiled into
the street. lie ran home wiihou, stopping,
and il was not I'LL no had locked himself
within his own chamber, tha, he felt certsin
thn, he wes not married to widow WilfuI.
There was terrible scene ut the church,
with faiuting and so forth but the widow
is alive to this day, and when she finds a.
neither man who can't say no." she may
play again the game which had nearly en-
trapped poor Paul Plant
Il wish you would give me that gold ring on