The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1842-12-23
"Well, my beloved, if he don't insist upon it, |

'Oh' replleu lLlen, Just over III Ills parIou'
there, nodding over the paper. He was quite an
cry because you were not here TO receive him,
because you did not come all day"
81 did not get into town till this afternoon, and
of course, have not long been in possession of his
letter.
drew from my pocket, and how blessed the
rascally note holder who prevented my returning
it to the post office!
Il wonder if he will recollect me p said; and
for the life of me could not say i, in any other
than trembling voice,
ooh! no. replied Ellen; 'for it is fourteen or
fifteen years since he saw you, you know; and he
only remembers you as a red headed schoolboy,
am so glad your hair has changed to such beau
tilul brown
Let us go see him, and ask his blessng'
'ile will be surplisedn said Ellen.
The parlour was but across the passage Six
! steps brought us into The presence of my venerable
uncle, Of whom did not so much as know the
name. All knew of it was The initials, r. b., us
subscribed in the letter. lie started up from his
nap, giving me grim look OF inquiry.
Cousin James, father said Een,with blush
Dear sir said |, dashng in, "rejoiced to see
you. Looking at my hair, see; not so red as in
olden times, sir, Did not arrive till late this after
noon thence my misfortune in just getting your last
favour flung it on the table. Gam delighted
with Ellen; and She, hope, with me- Beg you
G,therly blessing
And down we popped at lis feet
The old gentleman stared at us with aslonish
ment and delight, "BIcss my heart" no cried;
"why when did you stumble on her and how did
you bring her into such good hnmour''
Oh! sir, have been sitting with her this half
hour, in her boudoir and
'Ah you dog, like your spirit; daughter first
and dad afterwards =
'And, sir, continued !, she finds my hair is not
quite so red as she thought twas
Bravo, lad! and She have you''
This very night, sir, fyou insis, upon it, as
hope you WILL
80 triumphe! Ido-IwilI. Do you hear me,
Nell insist upon your marrying him immediate
ly.'
Yes, sir said Ellen.
Ring The bell for parson, How we shall nick
that rascally Harry! Was trying to stop the
match: had some ,il'onous plan of his own; and
was quite afraid of him; abused you like pick
pocket. Shall chouse him handsomely. Oh,
parson, pursou, kingdom for a parson'
And my venerable iaherin-la skipped across
the floor ,ung the bell, squeezed my hand, kissed
his daughter, rung The bell again, and performed
various other ieats, which were, in their effects, of
u truly lcgerdeman character; for within ten min
ucs, as il by trick of magic, !, who, thirty mn
ues before, was a hcurt-lice bachelor, free OF the
world and woman was standing in wedding group,
composed Of persons, all of them cnlire strangers,
my bride, my lalcr-in-Iaw, the corgymen, with
his book the lady of the house some other persons,
admitted as witnesses to the ceremony, about TO be
married to lady whose name | did not actually
yet know The haste, the buslle the cStraordin-
ary transition, my hoPes,my apprchensons my ig-
norance, all combined to throw me into whirl of
confusion, during which the ceremony was begun,
and conducted very little 10 my cdillcaton for /
cannot say distinguished one word until my ears
were suddenly struck by the important question,
DO you, james J, Smith, take this woman 10 be
your welded wife, &c' AT this moment was
struck with the enormous absurdity of taking such
leap in the dark--of marrying woman who,
for aught could tell might be But, as was
going to bolt (for, truly that was the impulse then
on me- Icaught view, of the brides face stealing
to me an upturned glance, so full olgoodncss, pu-
ry, affection, and heaven knows what other d.
vine qualities, tina, fear changed to rapture. and
uttered the important yes with all the emphasis
Of resolution.
How Iquickencd into life now, and priched up
my ears to hear my wi(o's name.
DO you, Ellen Blown--'
felt as if struck BY forty-jar charge of cleo
lrcity. The name conlounded without ilumina-
ting me- In TRUTH had no limo for comparing
facts and making differences; for, just as the cler-
gylnan brea,hcd the expected name Of my chat
mer, the door few open, and man rushed in.
hastily cxclaimng, "ilold! hold! forbid the
buns!'
Conceive the confusion Of oil present at this cx-
,raordnary interruption; and conceive my surprise
when, sna,ching Ellen into my arms, determined
to maintain my right to her against all mankind,
but particularly agains, james ]. Smith, the gen.
uinc, who, | doubted not, was the cause Of the
uption-conceiye my surprise, | say, when,
turning TO this detes,ed persOnage, my eyes fell,
not upon my red-headed namesake, bat my old
friend and college-motc, Harry Brown, of Virgin
in, That he should be here that he should cause
such dangerous interruption! that he should turn
against me, his old friend, and ruin me! CRASHED
my teeth II, him; raised my hand in a furious
menace; and. il there had been a pistol in it ]