The freeman. (Fremont [Ohio]) 1849-1850, 1850-03-23

Selle BOwIng humDly, he marched OF, turn
i ing at every step to kiss his fingers to her
and not neglecting in his passage to wrench
/; ! board from the fence, thus removing every
obstacle to Madomoiselle's decamp Delilah
! now descended and followed him.
you see Monsieur, it has not taken long for
me to join you,' said she when she had reach
ed the piazza
/ .Oui Madomoiselle, / have ver' large happi.
mess if it will be no more to part.
You are SO modest answered Delilah.
The Frenchman bowed in acknowledgement
and Dehlah's friends here united their voices
in commentator of his gallantry, declaring
that she could do no less, in pure gratitude,
! than to reward the deliverer with her hand.
Perceiving from their merry glances the
company were ripe for fun, and considering
the impudent stranger as fair butt the gid
dy girl exclaimed, addressing the landlord
Bring broom, cousin Jack, and let me prove
my gratitude by jumping the broom stick with
him.
Jump the broom-stick with Count de La
phinstank" !" answered the good humored land
lord, with wink, mo, no. my little coz we'll
manage it better. Here's a young friend of
mine.' pointing to traveller, a recent guest
who stood by, can play parson for once, and
I'll furnish the feast gratis
But Monsieur has not signifed his consent
yet said Delilah with glance at the Count
oh, have so much pleasure cannot ex-
press
Very good said Jack, Just take your pla-
ces and let the ceremony proceed.
The Count begged few moments delay for
the purpose of providing himself with a white
vest, which he declared indispensable Leave
being granted, he entered the house to make
the supposed improvement in his toilet, and
the young man who had been called on to off
ciate, followed him to procure, as he said, die
tionary or prayer book, to read the service
from. They returned together in about ten
minutes; the mock ceremony was performed,
and they were pronounced man and wife.
Now, Madame said the Count, with a
slight assumption of lordly authority, my coach
is vait in de street-we must make the iourn-
ey to my palace in the country
Not so fast Monsieur; believe in your
country, married people very frequently do
not live together, and as / am now a French
woman, shall adopt French customs
tPardonnes moi, Madam-ven de French
man come in derepublque he do as derepub-
leans'
we will discuss that question at another
time said Delilah, for the present. dear mon
sieur, adieu,'
The Count demonstrated vehemently in bad
English, and with ludicrously passionate ges-
tculations. Delilah laughed merriy, adjust
ed her bonnet and went home fattering her
self that she had sufficiently punished his i'm
pudence by making him the ridiculous hero of
a joke.
It was about six O'Clock the same evening,
that servant tapped at the door of Delilal's
chamber, and delivered message from her
father, requiring her presence in the library.
| Shaking off her drowsiness, for she had Just
been indulging in short nap, she hurried
down to the library, where she found her faith
er and mother, DR.. Moore and aunt Marcia, as
sembled in solemn conclave. There was some
thing in the solemn silence of the group, and
the awful gravity upon their features, that fill
ed her with unpleasant forebodings, as she
tin1idly enquired her fathers will.
Your folly, Dellah has at length involved
you in a serious difficulty, said the old man,
in tone of mingled sorrow and reproof
You would not heed my warnings added
aunt Marcia, and now you will feel the con
sequences
have been expecting it. chimed in the
mother, 4 have all along been in continual
dread that she would bring some punishment
upon herself
Countess Delilah de Laphinstankh broke
from the Doctor with a sarcastic bitterness, "a
pretty laughing stock, truly, you have made
| of yourself for the rest of your days. You
have saved me hetrouble of giving you hom-
eepathic dose in alopathic proportions
have prepared yourself one that cannot fail to
cure
What in the world can be the meaning of
all this p inquired Delilah, uncertain whether
they were speaking In sober earnestness or had
formed a little plot to terrify her.
That foolish marriage ceremony resumed
the father
Was avery innocent joke, interrupted the
daughter.
4 hope it may prove So said the father
shaking his head gravely; but at present It
wears very serious appearance
tAh, fatheri' exclaimed Delilah, throwing
her arms around his neck, with a gay smile,
you are only trying to frighten me-
Her father bit his lip and knit his brow in
the effort to keep up to the sternness which
the carresses of his pet were fast disspating,
and disengaging her arms, referred her to her
uncle.
You have carried the joke too far this time,
niece, said the Doctor: the Frenchman turn
ed the table on you. Under the pretence of
changing his vest it seems he slipped down to
the clerks Office and procured licence-the
young man who oficiated was regular or
dained minister; the ceremony, although you
went through with mock gravity, in the
form, and, as you are of age, the marriage is
perfectly valid. Your husband has already
instituted legal proceedings to compel your
father to give you up, and the case is to have
a private hearing before Squire Fairplay to-
morrow
'oh, uncle, you are jesting, surely said De
lilah. the tears springing to her eyes.
You judge others by yourself, niece; but
have spoken the truth seriously
It would be impossible to describe the vio-
lence of the girls grief, when convinced of the
reality of the Doctors statement. Her pa
rents appeared to participate in her distress,
but made no effort to console her, nor held out