Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1843-06-15

Twice more were the pistols tried, when til
: seconds interlered the Colonel declared h
was satisfied, and they shook hands, thereb,
showing that Paul Plant by shooting thrc,
times III the face of the blessed sun, had prov
ed that he 'never supplanted, beguiled, ant
circumvented,' the aforesaid Colonel Strut
for SO ii is laid down in the code of honor
II seemed now to be all over with Paul q
must he married then,'-said he to himself
killing won't save me- This day was fixed
and his late appeared inevitable. The nearer
1t approached, the less he felt resigned to it,
The day before the wedding, Paul met DR..
Blndemtight, the worthy parson who was to
join him to his bonny bride.
doctor, said Paul, how shall cscapof'
Marriage said the Doctor, in his most So
Tenn argumen,ativc way, lis considered by au-
thoriies ecclesiastical, political, ethical, legal,
and judicial, as bond or covenant, entered
into by the mutual consent and agreement of
the two parties. Therefore am decidedly of
opinion, that when the ceremony is to take
place, and ! PROFOUND the regular question,
VFW yoa take This roman for your Wife 20
You reply, Not is not marriage by no
manner of means.
can't do it, said Paul, mournfully, 81 have
tried 1t hundred times. but the word always
stuck in my throat. There is a spell upon
me In matters of denying; ] must assent to
every thing. Twas born without the capacity
TO do otherwise. Ask me if have got three
heads, believe should say 'yes.'
'Ihen you always say yes
yes, always, certainly
Good bye, friend Paul. said the Doctor.
cvilly touching his hat
'MeIcy on me- exclaimed Paul PLANT.
'Ihere was such a turn out among the
bells the next day wish had been there
TO see l.. Trinity church was thronged. for
every body knew Paul Plant, and the ac-
quanance of Widow Willul comprised near
ly the whole of that circle which calls itself
good society | wish moreover, had the
talent of the immortal author of Clarissa
llarlowe at describing feathers and luestring
then would tell how magnificently the widow
was deckcd out. But this cannot be done.
Everything was as it should bc-in the iudg-
ment OF the world. The 'happy pair drove
TO church, long string of coaches followed
them; the widow bushed and Smiled and
all the world was gay Was ever bride
groom In a state OF more ineXplicablc awkward
ness lie debated with himself for moment,
whether he should not make desperate effort,
take To his heels and ruD--but il was too late.
Paul cast longing, lingering look behind
him as he entered the church door. Farewell! :,
blessed light of heavenr said he to himself
'us the last time shall ever see YOU free
man? The widow held him fast by the arm
! My dear Paul. said she, 'here we are at
! last
yes replied Paul, with groan
we are all ready said the bride maids.
dearly beloved,' began Doctor Bindem-
tight: Paul felt his heart beat terribly. sOne
minute more, and there will be no remedv,'
thought he. He looked most imploringly at
the Doctor as much as to say scan you be so
cruel z The Doctor made an awful pause be-
fore the great question. Paul's heart beat fas-
ter than ever. Now for the catastrophe p said
he The Doctor gave Paul a keen look
everybody was breathless. At length lie
spoke.
DO you refuse this aroma'a for you- aciGc!'
yes exclaimed Paul, in the loudest tone
he was ever known to utter. In an instant
the idea flashed upon his mind that he was
Tree. lie sprang into the broad aisle with the
qulckness of Lightning, knocking down an old
gentleman In specacles, burst thro' the crowd
and bolted into the street. He ran home with
out stopping, and 1t was not till he had locked
himself within his own chamber that he felt
certain that he was not married to widow Will
full.
There was a terrible scene at the church.
with lainting and SO forth; but the widow is
alive 10 this day, and when she finds another
man who can't say no. she may play again
the game which had nearly entrapped poor
Paul Plant.