Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1843-04-01


| running eagerly toward him.
"As yoo predicted" replied the lawyer with
grave smile; .'your pleasant little hoax will be
carried out three evenings from this"
"But ] have just been thinking--who car
ind ,ha, will play The Minister" exclaimed Miss
Warner.
'.Here is dilemmar'
mot 10 the least replied Gilbert; al have
thought of that already. My frie nd Morris, who
graduated with me at Yale last year, is just the
man. He looks as much like parson if bred
TO the cloth! will ride to town 10 the morning,
and let him into frolic'
"There--now all arranged. We must give
her a wedding dress, Gilbert. and tina, will con-
sole her for your loss said Miss Warner.
They walked toward the house, and found Ida
sta nding IN the hall. She advanced 10 the mill
ner, as she came IN. Il am not well enough 10
work this afernoon--can go home?"
"Oh certainly! We cannot expect you TO think
Of a trade now said the miillner, casting
glance of sly ridcuIe at Mss Warner. "Mr.
Gilbert, Of course, will see YOU kome''
The blood burned in Lidas check, but she
swered, with quiet dignity, that she wished to
see her mother alone.
"Then she is not out washing 10 day." inquir-
ed the milliner, with another covert look at Gil
bert and his companion.
Ida could not understand the low malice Of
the question, she answered quietly that her
mother was at home, and left the party, when
they wen. towards the milliner's work room.
The next morning the washerwoman was at
those who had been kind friends to her. regarding
the strange proposal which her daughter had re.
ceived. Mr.. Gilbert had been at her house the
night before, she said and every thing settled
for a wedding on the next evening but one. OF
course, opinion could be given after affairs had
gone SO far; so conserving that tthe children,
mi ght come see Ida her wedding day, our
mother allowed the kind woman 10 depart without
expressing any of the 'nlsglvlngs that beset her
own mind.
Mr.. Gilbert drove BY OR house during the af
ternoon, and took the New Haven road. The
cond day from that we were permitted 10 visit the
washerwoman's house, behind Castle Rock
II was a bright day. and the little house looked
neat and cheerful as approached il, through a
foot path cut across meadow, golden with but +
e cups and notified lilies. Ida gathering T
flowers from a little yard which surrounded the I
only door in her dwelling, and IN few moments
busy herself gathering daisies from
the meadow and wild honey suckie from the rocks,
which we brought down IN armstuli and heaped
on the doorstep ready for use.
Before sun set the widows house hight have
been mis- taken for a sylvan lodge, it fra +
grant with blossoms. Tho whole dwelling con-
tanned bat three apartments, kitchen and two
small sleeping rooms; bat these were as neat as
human hands could make them. The pine floors
and splint chairs were secured white as 1t was
possible for wood to become; tho little, old fashion,
ed looking glasses were crowded with asparagus
where the rod berries hung thick and
bright coral drops along the delicate green
spray; the scant window curtains, OF coarse but
snow white muslin, were festooned with wild I
blossoms and ground pine woven together-whlle
that in 'the spare bedroom was Topped up by
single wreath of wild roses and sweet brier, which |
filled the window with delicious fragrance. On
the little table, in this apartment, stood japan
~a.,or, with daeaniar of wina in the middle.
rn--oa-ded hv eiander wine glasses: and tine I
rs pkn spread over loaf OF cake close by. /
A dress Of the purest muslin lay upon a counter
pane Of old fashioned dmty, that covered the bed I
like a sheet of snow.
We stood by while the old woman arrayed her
child for the bridal, and wondered why her hands
should tremble so, and why the tears should fill /
our Lidas eyes constantly, when she observed
her mothers agitation.
1t scarcely dark when party OF
I wo ladies', and as many gentlemen coming along
the foot path toward the house. The washerwo-
man closed the bedroom door, and went out TO
receive her guests, leaving US with the BRIDE
How beautiful and pure she looked in the simple
dress, tina: had exhausted all the money which I
her mother had boarded for winter in the pur
chase. The black hair which she usually
twls ed in one heavy wool over her head, was
now divided into three rich hraIds, and knotted
together on one side. just back Of tho ear, by
SINGLE white rose Another bud, with the blush
leaves just bursting asunder, lay within the folds
of sheer muslin that covered her bosom. When
she placed il there, Lida's check grew pale, and
her hands began tremble, for that moment she
hea I'd Gllberts step 10 the next room. II was IN
s,anly drowned by the voices Of Miss Warner
and the milIiner, both in high and cheerful con-
versaton. That sound only caused our friend to
tremble the more But when her mother came
in,o the room, folded her her kind embrace,
and led her forward to the young man, who came
forward to receive her, a sof, blush broke
her cheek, and her fingers wove themselves in his,
confidently. if she had nothing to fear then
vet she could not help trembling all the time.
BE kind to my child, said the washerwoman,
gently; when was married 10 her father. he was
pros porous, happy, and proud you He died.
and left me in poverty. His child has never heard
a harsh word beneath this humble roof-be gentle
to her as have BEEN
The old woman sat down, and bending her head
began to smooth The folds Of her faded silk dress.
and thus she tried conceal the tears that her
own words had unlocked.