Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1849-06-06


and marry her for the sake of her for
tune
THAT is iinpossible,' returned |; 'as, in
the event of her marrying a second time,
she loses the whole of her jointure; and
whoever takes her to wife receives PEN
nyless BRIDE
Mr. Matthews was in the act of carry
ing cup of tea to his lips as | distinct
" pronounced these words: and he gave
a start; and there was a sudden smash:
and Dame Bowel exclaimed, Goodness
a. mercy on me, Son Mat, what is the
matter! 1t is blessed thing that we are
not IN the parlor, or one. of the blue and
gold would have gone instead Of this
Wedgeworth white and red.
And as the old lady stopped to gather
the fragments with my assistance. Son
Matthew darted from the hall, saying in a
whisper to me as he passed: do walk in
the flower garden presently l wish 10
speak few words TO YOU
The squire, who had been toiling
through a county paper, spectacles on
nose, looked up on hearing this commo-
ton, with loud .Whew! 1t is twenty
wears ago since | saw Mat so skittish:
and that was when fair Emma Nordon
Tilted him. What is in the wind now!'
But although might have said that it
was a gentle southern breeze. bringing
sweet hopes, thoughts and wishes in its
train, | held my peace; for explanation
was premature, even had | any to offer;
assurance, and my own private convic-
tons. must be made doubly sure ere
ventured to claim my wager from Lucy
Estcourt.
Any one who had seen Mr.. Matthew
and myself sauntering round that quiet
garden. until the evening dews began to
fall busily conversing, and deeply en-
crossed with our conversation, might per-
chance have suspected tibet l was the
courted and he the wooer, despite my
green specs and rotund proportions.
could scarce help smiling at seeing the
cold sarcastic Mr.. Matthew transformed
into tinid, almost despairing lover; for
it is said that tmidity ever goes hand i'll
hand with true love.
'How dared he presume to think of her,
so beautiful and superior a creature in all
respects! What had he to offer in ex-
change for her priceless hand! He could
not even make amends, in a pecuniarv
point Of view, for the fortune she must
lose in the event Of her marrying again.
Besides, he was such a stupid, awkward
fellow; and We, he loved her-oh! SO
dearly; and she was SO kind and good.
did think he might venture to address
her! She could but refuse him.
Very guardedly limited in answer to
these dsointed ordinations, that it was
just probable he would not be rejected: on
hearing which the sedate Mr.. Matthew
seized my hand, and carried it to his lips.
appearing to be transportcdto the seventh
heaven. That night, ere retired to rest.
wrote the following billet to my friend:
Dear Lucy-As the Smiths are now in
Paris, you had better commission them to
bring over the six dozen gloves; as claim,
my wager and prefer genuine articles.
Yours. &c.
The bridegroom elect was curious to
know what our wager was about; but as
thought the knowledge might render him
presumptious, | declined answering any
questions; however the question was spec
Oily Won from Lucy herself, and was no
less than this:-Nlrs. Estcout had con-
tinued to express her conviction that Mr.
Matthew did not care for: she was too
IDENTIFY disliked and avoided her. /, on
the contrary, insisted that such was not
the case; and pointed out to her that it
was only since he had learned how veal
thy she was in comparison to him that the
change observable had arisen. She then
gave me full permission to reveal the
truth Of her situation, which was only
known to her intimate friends, laughinclv
declaring that she would risk the afore-
named wager, and cheerfully pay it
thousand times over, if | succeeded in
proving that she was loved for herself
alone. Not that think for one moment,'
added she gravely, that Matthew Bowel
would value my hand an iota more could
it confer ten thousand year on him. in
stead Of one; but that think with or with
out money-he is SO superior to me, in
deed TO all mankind-he would scarcely
make choice of one so unworthy as my
selffor his helpmate.
When heard her speak in this wav, |
became assured that their union must
tend to their mutual happiness; nor have
| erred in Judgment for they are, and ev-
er have been, the happiest couple in the
world!
Many and many times | heard the en-
clamation. on Mrs. Estcourt's approach
ing second marriage. of We'll, wonders
never cease: but there is no accounting
for taste. certainly And must confess
that had sometimes marvelled at her
choice. But how sweet were the tears of
respect and gratitude which she shed as a
tribute 10 the memory of her first husband
the firm friend who had SO earnestly
desired to secure her future happiness
when. on her marriage morning. the in
telligence was conveyed in due form that
she had no; forfeited her jointure; the pro-
viso having been made solely with the
end in view. which she had attained
namely. gaining the disnterested love of
an honest mani And when / heard
these words read, almost felt ashamed
Of myself for having joined with the null
titude in their unthnking EXPLANATIONS.
This gay and pretty creature content
oflx- eSf,bl;shaJ -.