The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1851-08-02

Mi. Gilbert drove by our house during
the afternoon, and took the New Haven
road, The second day from that we
were permitted to visit the washer
woman's house.
1t was a bright day, and the little
house looked neat and cheerful, as we
approached it through footpath cut
across meadow, golden with butter
cups and mottled lilies. Ida was
gathering flowers from a little yard
which surrounded the door in her dwell
ing, and in few minutes we were as
busy as herself, gathering dasies from
the meadow, and the wild honeysnckle
from the rocks, which we brought down
in armsfal, and heaped on the doorstep
ready for use.
Before sunset the widows house was
so fragrant with blossoms that it might
have been mistaken for sylvan lodge.
The whole dwelling contained but
three apartments-a kitchen and two
small sleeping-rooms, but these were as
neat as human hands could make them.
The pine floors and splint chairs were
secured as white as it was possible for
wood to become; the little old-fashioned
looking-glasses were crowned with as
paragus branches, where the red berries
hung thick and bright as coral drops
along the delicate green spray: the
scant window curtains, of coarse but
snow-white muslin, were festooned with
wild blossoms and ground pine woven
together-while that in the "spare
bedroom was looped up to a single
wreath of wild roses and sweet-brler,
which filled the window with de-
licious fragrance. On the little table
in this apartment stood japan waiter,
with decanter of wine in the middle,
surrounded by slender wine glasses,
and fine napkin was spread over a
loaf of cake close by. A dress Of the
purest muslin lay upon a counterpane
of old fashioned dimity, that covered
the bed ike sheet of snow.
We stood by while the old woman
arrayed her child for the bridal, and
wondered why her hand should tremble
SO, and wondered why the tears should
fill our Lida's eyes so constantly, when
she observed her mothers agitation.
1t was scarcely dark when we saw
a party of two ladies and as many gen.
tlemen coming toward the house. The
washerwoman closed the bedroom door,
and went out to receive the guests,
leaving us with the bride. How beau
tiful and pure she looked in the simple
dress that had exhausted all the money
which her mother had saved up for will-
ter in the purchase. The black hair
which she usually wore twisted in one
heavy woof over her head, was now
divided into three rich braids, and knot
ted together on one side. just back OF
the ear, by single rose. Another bud,
with the blush leaves just bursting. lay
within the folds of sheer muslin which
covered her bosom. When she placed
it there, Lida's cheek grew pale and
she began to tremble, for that moment
she heard Gilbert's step in the next
room. 1t was instantly drowned by the
voices of Miss Warner and the milliner,
both in high and cheerful conversation
The sound only caused our friend tc
tremble the more. But when her mo-
ther came into the room, folded her in
kind embrace, and led her towards
the young man who came forward to
receive her, soft blush broke over heI
cheek, and her fingers wove themselves
in his confidently, as if she had nothing
to fear, and yet could not help trembling
all the time.
"Be kind to my child" said the
washerwoman, gently; "when | was
married to her father, he was prosper.
Gus, happy, and proud as you are. He
died and left me in poverty. His child
has never heard rash word beneath
this humble roof-be gentle to her as
| have been."
The old woman sat down, and, bend
ing her head, began to smooth the folds
of her faded silk dress, and thus she
tried to conceal the tears that her own
words had unlocked.
Gilbert did not answer, but his cheek
turned shade paler, and he bent his
ewes almost sternly on the two females
who had urged him into his present
embarrassing position.
The young student arose. He had
been wisely chosen by the plotters, fol
never was clerical dignity put on more
thoroughly. He looked serious and
earnest enough to have deceived more
suspicious persons than Ida and hel
honest hearted mother. He pronounced
the ceremony with impressive solemni
ty-so impressive that Miss Warner
and her companion could scarcely sup
press their laughter at his successful
acting.
The young couple sat down. Ida
pale, confused, trembling; but Gilber
sat motionless, and with his eyes ben
steadfastly on the two females who sa
a little nearer the door. They were
whispering together. Miss Warne
seemed striving to suppress her mirtf
till the proper time, and slight giggls
now and then broke from the milline
at the exquisite success of their joke.
The washerwoman arose and brough
forth cake and wine. Ida could no
taste a drop, but she touched her lip
to the glass, while Gilbert drained hi
to the bottom. The milliner was com
| hln II