The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1850-11-27
among the widows, which last can only
be married to widower.

the young daisel. felt as violent a passion
, for her as she did Tor him.. They wer,
so intent on the ceremony, that. they for
got to give each other the accustomed
signs. On her leaving the altar the olb
er brother saw her. became enalnored o
her. and found an opportunity. when tn,
lceremony was over. to present her with q
flower. She accepted it from his hands
being fully persuaded that it was the per
son who had just before been with her al
! the altar but as she withdrew herself away
in some haste, with her companions. she
dropped the token which she had received
The elder brother accosted her once more
and offered her flower. "Ah!" said she
TO herself. lit is the very same!" and took
that likewise. The young man who heard
this imagined Tor certain that il meant
him: but as the law allowed them to remain
no longer together, they departed their
ways. leu
He who had presented the flower found
an opportunity some days afterwards. Of
seeing his charmer by night at lattice.
This sort Of conversation. though prohib-
tied by the laws, was yet connived at.
The damsel appeared so kind, that he
ventured TO offer her the token OF half
blown flower. This she accepted, and in
return presented him with scarf embroi-
dered with hearts, inte woven with thorns;
giving him to understand that there were
/ some obstacles to be surmounted. She
allowed him at the same time to declare
himself her lover. without. however, Civ.
ing him her name, and without even ac-
quanting him with the reason Of her ST.
lence Oh that head.
Not long after tine elder brother met her
at the very same. window. but the night
was so dark that he could not distinguish
the second flower she wore in her bosom.
The satisfaction she discovered at his
coming seemed to him extraordinary; but
he ascrihed it TO a sympathy. which, be-
tween lovers. banishes all restraint. He
began 10 excuse himself Tor not having
seen her so long, and assured her that if
he could only have his will, no night
should pass without he would come to as.
sure her OF his passion. The lover re-
ceived such clear indications Of her favor
able disposition towards him. that he
thought he might easily wave the ceremo-
ny OF the second token, and accordingly
gave her the third, nearly full blown
flower. She accepted it telling him that
she would not Immediately wear it, that
he must 90 through certain forms, and
that slcm st still see more proo.s OF his
attachment. 70 assure him of the SINGER.
ity Of her love. she gave him her hand
through the lattice. which he kissed in
great transport. On this, she gave lllm
tille!, OH which were wrong It two hearts.
il. her own hair. over which was a wreath
OF poneg granates, almost ripe. joyful to-
ken that the time Of gathering was at
hand.
Thus all three were happy in their error.
On every public OCCASION the brothers ap-
peared with the signs OF their inclnalions,
Gnd telicitated each other OH their success;
but, as mysteriousness was not destitute
OF charms, they cautiously avoided every
Of explaining themselves to
each other.
The return of the grand festival was at
no great distance, when the youngest
thought it the proper occasion for ventur-
ing to give his beloved the third token of
his affection. He told her that he hoped
she would now willingly wear the iull
blown flower. as testimony of her con-
sent; at the same time presenting her with
au artificial carnaton, incrspersed with
little flames and hearts. She put the car
nation in her bosom, unable to conceal
her Joy as she received it. at which her
lover was so transported, that he deter
mined TO demand her Of her parents.
lis elder brother, who had given her
the full blown flower, at the same time
thought that nothing more was wanting to
his happiness than the appreciation and
consent Of her relations. Chance brought
them both on the very same day 70 the
parents of their beloved. But how great
was their astonishment on meeting each
other! As soou as the father appeared,
each addressed him for his daughter. He
assured them he had but one child, OF
whose virtue he was fully convinced. and
that she never, in opposition to the laws
of the land, could favor two lovers at
once He, however, concluded. from the
perfect likeness Thar subsisted between
the two brothers, that some mistake had
happened. and sent for his daughter to
clear up the matter. She appeared. deg
Grated with the flowers which she hsd
received, in the complete conviction that
the two full blown had been presented her
by one and the same hand.
Venus herself. attended by the graces.
could not have shown more lovely than
Berilla, for thus was the damsel named.
Her form was noble and, majestic, and
her complexion surpassed the blooming
rose. No sooner did she perceive the re-
between her two lovers. and
the tokens oil her inclination which they|
wore than she exclaimed, 81 am de.
ceived! Thou knowest my innocences @ |