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

uc my own H,lSlTeSSl 90 what pleas
ed! delightful! let me see what | would
do--frst, would get Claude
| 'Never mind Claude, my DEAR" saio
Mr.. Rivers, with the slightest po ssibIe
tone ofimpatience, 'lhave sent for you
on a more important topic. Marriage
Jessie, was ordained for the good oI
man; for the bliss Of man; for the hap
piness Of man." :.
Sand not for ,ooman?" provokingly
asked Jessie.
"Yes, Tor woman; should have saic
mutual happiness" continued Mr. Riv
ers, still more sw ,etly. "One of the
greatest English poets, Jessie, thus eu
logizes this blssful state:
mTill Hymen brought his love delighted hour
There dwelt no JOY in Eden'srosy bower"
Thus you see, my dear, even Paradise
was not Paradise still woman smiled;'
hem; answer me, Jessie; should you
like to be married?"
The affair grew serious, and so Jes.
sic grew serious TOO. At length she
SAID:
"And suppose | should say "yes,'
where am | to find husband?"
"That is question am happily pre-
pared to answer" replied Mr.. Rivers.
with honeyed voice and smile to match;
"tut cannot you guess, M dear?'
But Jessie could not; aad 50 Mr.. Ri
vers proceeded to the enlightenment of
her dull comprehension by promising.
my love, you already know, and
knowing, | trust already love him; for
he has ever been near you; he is one
who---"
80 it is Claude!'' cried Jessie, clap
ping her little hands and blushing like
rose.
"No, it is not Claude" (and this time
there was no smile,) "and sorry should
| be to see you welded to that hair
Drained, wild nephew of mine."
"But who is it then, dear guardy?
(although | know ! shallnot like him?')
she added, in low voice.
Mr.. Rivers took her hand, pressed it
very gently, and said: -ln
''In me, dear Jessie, behold him! Yes
l, will be that happy man; your hus-
band" o~ 1 .s
"You! guardy, you" and then such
laugh! clear and musical as the notes
of the sky-lark il burst from her merry
heart.
Why she should laugh Mr.. Rivers
could not imagine, so he patted her lit
tie head and said: r
'Be quiet, my dear,do, and hear what
| have to say: In marrying me you at
once become your own mistress; my
fortune shall be at your disposal ;house;
servants; equipage, all are yours; and
in me you will possess husband ever
but too happy to anticipate your slight
est wishes. Speak, then, my dearest
girl, and tell me you will be mine."
But when Jessie looked up and met
the countenance of her guardian 50 done
to represent sentimental lover, her
mirth again burst forth.un the patience
of even the imperturbable Mr. Rivers
was moved. The result was, smiles
were exchanged Tor tears, and flying to
her chamber poor Jessie wept as if her
little heart would break. The native
buoyancy of her disposition, however
soon chased away the tears, as fit the
clouds Of an April day before the cheer
ful sun; so springing from her seat she
bathed her tell-tale eyes, arranged her
disordered toilet, and then began to
contemplate seriously the prospects be-
fore her. She had been accustomed to
consider the words other guardian as
laws she must obey; his wishes ever to
be regarded in preference to her own.
But now, alas! it is no longer the guar
dian, the father who speaks; no, these
wishes are now revealed to her in the
guise of loyer The tie which has
so long bound him to her filial affections
he himself now rends, that she may
be his by nearer, dearer bond!
"What am to dol" thought Jessie,
"and what will Claude say! Albright,
! will run and ask dear Claude all about
it," And the next moment she was
tripping through the shrubbery.and the
next, arm in arm with a handsome
young man in green huntingjacket.
DO you see now how Claude stamps
his foot; now hear her merry laugh; he
raves; she entreats. ~ ogod aRW
"But what could dc, ,Claude9 could
not tell dear guardy he was too old.and
too foolish; no, nor could not tell him
did notl him, for do love him
dearly.' asllgilsgl b5Ii seRi@
"lndeed! Miss Jessie,' pettishly in
terrupts Claude. glolid s5ii.15tro 9al !
eyes, indeed Mr.. Claude; and so do
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