The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-05-10

Cd ny Iic Iodu-sIic, ana l0yTlduS Oh
butterflies sported on rainbow wing be.
fore him. Mr.. Rivers was happy
man his smile more sweet than usual.
| At length the little white cottage Of
the widow appeared in sight, and in
few moments the horse was fastened
to thrifty maple, and Mr.. Rivers
walking up the shady path leading to
the door. The good lady received him
very cordially, although evidently with
some surprise the usual compliments
passed, and then inquiries were made
for Jessie.
"Jesse! she is NOT here-bless me, is
not she at homer"
"Not here! Jessie not herer VI.
"Why no-bless you--she left two
| days ago in your own carriage with
master Claude"
The truth flashed at once upon the
mind Of Mr.. Rivers. Yes, it was too
true-they had eloped--the fable Of
Claude's sentimental lovers Illustrated!
Rage, modification and disappointment
beat about the heart of the poor man by
turns, until he was almost stihed--no
one that had seen the courteous Mr..
Rivers one hour before would have re-
cognIzed the suddenly grown-old old
gentleman who now stormed and raved
about the narrow confines of Mrs.
Knights parlor. Could he have ami
hiated time and space to reach the tru-
ant lovers he would have done so--but
all he could do was to rush out of the
house, mount his gig, and drive like one
demented to the first inn, where, enga-
ging carriage, he babe the driver haste
with all speed to Boston.
The first question Mr.. Rivers asked
on alIghting at the fremont was if the
steamer had sailed-she had not.
Somewhat relieved by this assurance,
he next cast his eyes over the late ar
rivals at the hotel, and there, sure e.
nongh, in his nephew's own handwrit-
ing, he ead,"Claude Rivers and Lady,"
CLAUDE Rivers and Lady! @. what a
whirlpool ragged in his brain for some
moments! entering his own, lie request
ed private room, that he might col
lect his disordered senses ere he ap-
peared before the fugitives. He had
not been there long when note was
put into his hands: 1t contained simply
these lines:
'But were the case your own, un-
clc?" s
'Why, should forgive them certain
ly. There are many allowances to be
made. The parties are young-have
long loved each oIher. The heart,
Claude, cannot be cOntrollcdw .
"Fool! fool! dupe that | have beenw
exclaimed Mr.. Rivers. "Forgive them!
no--never." ...t.,. .,@
There was light tap at the door
the arms of Jessie were around his
neck, and Claude had seized his hand.
"Ah, dear gardy, forgive us!" cried
Jessie. 7'.' H li-io.'
''Dear uncle, pardon" said Claude.
In vain Mr.. Rivers strove to free
himself. He turned from the beautiful,
humid eyes of Jessie, but met the fine
manly countenance of his nephew; he
turned again to Jessie; again to Claude;
and. finally, perfectly subdued, he fold
ed his arms around them both and ex-
claimed:
"WelI, well, my children, | forgive
you. | have been fairly duped! yes,
forgive you."
The consequence was, Mr.. Rivers
concluded that the Partisan business,
which he had considered of so much
few days previous, might
now be deferred for a while; and the
next day the trio returned happy to
the Grove. ~
must beg the readers kind feelings
for my little heroine; she was naugh-
ty girl | ackno Wedge; but then Claude
was such tease; and as Mr.. Rivers
(himself the only really aggrieved par
ty) has forgiven her, will you not ex-
tend to her the same indulgence?