Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-02-12
select Tales.
From Arthurs Magazine for February.
STARTING RIGHT;

OR, A MONTH AFTER MARRIAGE.
ny REV. j. N. JILToN.
Before the tying of the nuptial knot
Lovers may fondly speculate on love-
And dream that it NAV langush not, nor die.
But whenth moose is fastened, soon they learn
Tkat they are placed upon their goodbehavior,
For all the balance of fe's little day."
The day before her bridal Mira Mason's
thoughts were occupied as all young ladies'
thoughts are under such circumstances in most
delightful specuatons She was very certain
that she knew her own heart, and she felt salts
fed that she was sufficiently acquainted with
Francis Waton's to trust her happiness for life
to his keeping. She moved gaily about the
house, humming the dittes she was accustomed
to play upon her guitar and piano; and she SEEM
ed to be as light hearted as bird fitting from
bough to bough, and singing its wood notes
wild to its native forest. Mrs Halslead, her
aunt, required her attendance in her room for
the purpose Of suitng her taste in the re-arrange
ment of the wax flowers for her hair, which
the milliner had SENT and which Mira was so
much dissatisfied with that she had determined
not to use them. They had been returned twice
to the mner, for improvement, and still they
did not please; and Mrs Halstead had concluded
to arrange them herself, under Miras immediate
inspection. The old lady had called her in halt
adozen times, and she had as often escaped
from the apartment 10 indulge her iancies I'M
observed, and to fly about the house and sing as
she pleased. The old lady at length struck
upon an expedient which was not only effectua
in her detention at her side, but which also
caused the incidents to be observed which are
developed in this sketch. She knew the SUBJ
iect upon which Mira's thoughts were occupied,
aud when for the seventh time she succeeded in
having her seated in her presence, she commence
ed conversation upon the duties and pleasures
Of married life. The topic was sufficiently
attractive, and Mira was unclaimed by the inter"
est it involved
Mira, said Mrs. Halstead, 'have you any
idea what it is that constitutes the happiness of
married people!'
Have any idear returned Mira, with an
air of sarcastic indifference which seemed to
cyince her consciousness of being fully posted
upon the subject. Have I any idea! Now
what question aunt, to ask me at this period Of
my life? | hope have an idea o. what it is that
constitutes the happiness Of married people,
If hadn't maam you may be assured that you
would not find my neck SO near the halter. 1t
consists in love, my dear aunt, and | am sure it
does not take an adept in the experience of such
matters to tell that
AS Mira spoke she looked into her aunt's face
with an expression of triumph upon her counte-
nance, and as though she would dare reply to
a truth which she conceivc to be so well and
SO aptly spoken. Mrs Halstead was amused al
the prompt answer she gave to her question, and
at the confident manner in which it was spoken
and smiling an approval to the compliment which
Mira had taken to herself, she said:
But suppose love should be interrupted il
it's course, what thenp
All, she replied, but love must not be in
tsrrupted in It's course; it must 90 on, and on
and it must continue to increase in strength ant
ardor.'
And how would you act, Mira asked he
aunt, $50 as to effect its uninterrupted continu
Ance amid the ups and downs of this ever-chang
ing liter
Start right, and keep right replied Mira
with a toss of her head, which indicated he
confidence upon the subject. And if this il
DONE she continued, the course of the loving
couple will be as smooth and uninterrupted a
the flow of peaceful river
That is very true, Mira returned Mrs, Hal
stead. 'YOu are correct SO far if you star
right upon the sea Of matrimony, and keep RICH
you Rill be safe enough. And that right star