The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1842-12-23

ceeu win II as quickly as possoie' 1ou' Liieh
Brown, do take this man-But beg the reverend
genlleman's pardon"
The ceremony was resumed, and in two min
utes was married
"Viclora" cried Harry Brown, sezing my
hand, and so nerrupting the first nuplial embrace
with which, according to the fashion, was salu-
ting my wife. 81 congratulate you, cousin james
]. Smith, upon having married the finest girl and
richest heiress in Virginia; the very girl intended
foI you! Oh! you dog, who could have thought
you had the wit and spirit to accomplish thesplen-
did adventure without my assistance' Know
your realions Don't you see, my wife wants to
kiss her unknown cousin' You kiss her, and I'll
kiss Nelly! Hal ha! han'
And here my friend went into such explosions of
laughter and rejoicing as amazed everybody except
me, who began to be aware of the full extent of
my good fortune.
In the midst of this joyous tumul, enter another
unexpected visitor. Death! it was the red-headed
gentleman of the theatre; the true James ], Smith,
as my fears told me land as was rendered still more
evident by his first words to my falher-in-l law
"Sir," said the young gentleman, grasping him at
Cectonatey by the hand, " have, believe, the
honor Of speaking to my dear uncle, Thomas
Brown, and of introducing to him his unworthy
nephew, James ]. Smith"
"Bless my soul' cried the old gentleman, and
could no more; for he was struck dumb with as.
constituent.
"lIad the misfortune, in some unaccouable
way" continued the new conner, "to miss your
last favour, promised to arrive today" (and here
the villain drew out some former lc,Ier,) Sand
only heard your being here by accident. But
,hat-I can't be mistaken! Permit me 10 pay my
respects 10 my dear cOusin''
And up stepped Alter Ego, with captivating
smile and extended hand, to my astonshed wife,
whom he saluted as his dear cousin Elen-Nliss
Brown"
"Mrs James ]. Smith, SIR" sail I.
"7Hat is 10 be-" added Red-hcad, with delight
full suavty.
looked round to my friend Harry for assist
ancc; for confess, at this moment my heart fail
ed me, not that had any fear ofmy contempt-
the denouement upon my wife and ialhcr-in,law,
both of whom appeared very much discomposed by
the new turn of affairs. Harry looked as if about
going into another burst of merrmenl; but he nod
ded his head, rs If to bid me dash ahead, without
fear
"NIrs James J. Smith that is, sir" said L.
"This lady is my wife,"
"Sir," said the gentleman, ~ am James ].
Smith,"
Sir said I, so am r.
james Jones Smith,, cried Red-hcad, this Ia
dy's cousin!'
james John Smith, cried /, this lady's hus-
band!'
'Uncer exclaimed James Jones, with look Of
horror and despair, you have married Ellen 10 an
mposter, and am ruined for ever
'Whal! an impostor' cried Mr. Brown; 'call for
a conslable'
IT you do said |, he will only arrest your
nephew there, not me, as your nephew knows
full well The young man speaks the truth. Al,
least in part. lie is your nephew, and he is ru-
ned forever; as know as well as he; for, this al
,ernoon was dunned upon an unpaid note Of his
for debt Of honor, gambling debt, of near two
thousand dollars, and was arrested, BESIDES for Il
iailor's bill Of
oh for heavens saker interrupted my rival,
deprecatiugy
And continued |, numerically, 't is but an
hour since heard him, in the public theatre, when
warned TO beware Of the 'hawks and buzzards'who
were on the watch for him, boast, to his gambling
friends, of his rich and conloundedly handsome
cousin lele, the daughter Of odd Rusty hard-
headed hunks, as resource that would enable
him to hold up his head again with the best o!
lhem.''
Done for, by jingon said Mr. James Jones
Smith, and snoaked out Of the room
ooh. the abandoned viIlain!' .quoih my fllheI-in
law.
And if you want moro evidence Of his worihi-
ness said Harry, stepping TO my aid, can give
it; and YOU know, uncle, ] warned you | had
heard strange tales Of him. When / came round
here with Mrs Brown, TO see you, and heard you
were marrying away Nelly, thought ], was to
him; and that's the reason forbade the bans"
'Ay, sir; and you counenanced, You aided and
Allotted this worthy parsonage, said Mr. Brown,
senior, giving me a look as black as midnighi;
you helped, you even nstigated, rascally i'm
poster here the old man gave way to rage, and
Ellen began 10 cry, ito cheat and deceive my girl;
to rob me of my daughter
NO impos,er a, ALL said Harry. q would
have said the same thing; but he took the word
out of my mouth) 'IIe is a gentleman, uncle;
my old friend aud college mate; and the very man
I wished 10 substitute for his namesakc; the very
mar limited about to you; though never told