The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-09-24
WOoDSFIELD oHIo WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER "a, 1851.
SO dreadfally-it would kill me, it would

i
lindeed!"
Gilbert tried to look in the soft eyes lift.
ed so full of eloquence TO his face, but he
felt the hot blood rush up to his forehead
and answered hurriedly, that he was most
sincere, most earnest TO make her his wife.
lie kissed her forehead as the words were
uttered, and when she became suddenly
conscious that they were alone in the
house. and wished to leave it, he drew her
arm respectfully through his, and conduct.
ed her to the hall, where he went in search
Of Miss Warner and her companion
1 They were in the garden chatting, in high
spirits, full oflaughter at the success Of
their scheme.
Sand how did you succeedi Did she
suspect? How did she act?" they ex-
claimed together, running eagerly toward
him.
Gas you predicted, !" replied the lawyer,
with grave smile, "your pleasant little
hoax will be carried out three evenings
from this"
"But have just been thinking-who can
we find that will play the minister" ex-
claimed Miss Warner.
"Here is dilemma!" ehimed the mli
Inner.
"Not in the least" replied Gilbert; "l
have thought Of that already. My friend
Morris who graduated with me at Yale
last year, is just the man. He looks as
much like person as if bred to the cloth
j will ride into town in the morning and
let him into our frolic."
"There-now all is arranged. We
must give her wedding-dress. and will
console her for your loss," said Miss War.
ner.
They walked toward the house and
found Ida standing in the hall. She
advanced to the mlliner as she came in:
81 am not well enough to work this af:
ternoon-can 60 home?"
"Oh certainly! We cannot expect you
to think OF a trade now," said the milliner,
casting glance Of sly ridicule at Miss
Warner. "Mr. Gilbert, of course, will see
you home."
The blood burned in Lida's cheek; but
she answered with quiet dignity, that she
wished 10 see her mother alone.
"rhen she is not out washing to-dayr"
inquired the miliner with another covert
look at Gilbert and his companion.
Ida could not understand the low malice
Of the question, so she answered quietly
that her mother was at home, and left the
party, when they went toward the milliner's
work-room.
The next morning the washer.woman
was at our house very early-she wished
to consult with those who had been kind
friends to her, regarding the strange pro-
pesal which her daughter had received
Mr.. Gilbert was at her house the night be-
fore, she said. and everything was settled
for wedding OH the next evening but one
OF course no opinion could be given after
affairs had gone SO far; so consenting that
the ''children" might come to see Ida on
her wedding.day; our mother allowed the
kind mother to depart without expressing
any of the misgivings that beset her own
mind.
Mr.. 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 s
house behind Castle Rock,
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 NOTED lilies.
Ida was gathering flowers from a little
ward which surrounded the door Of her
dwelling, and in few moments we were
busy as herself picking daisies from the
meadow, and the wild honeysuckle from
from the rocks, which we brought down in
armsiul, and heaped on the doorstep
ready for use.
Before sunset the widows house might
have been mistaken for sylvan lodge, it
was so fragrant with blossoms. The whole
dwelling contained but three apartments
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 lit
tie old-ashioned looking glasses were
crowned with asparagus branches, where
the red berries hung thick and bright as
coral drops along the delicate green spray;
the scant window-curtains, Of coarse, but
snowy. white muslin were iestooned with
wild blossoms and ground.pine woven TO-
gether-while that in the "spare bed ROOM
was looped up to single wreath Of wild
roses and sweet-brier, which filled the
window with delicious fragrance. On
the little table, in this apartment, stood a
Japan waiter, with decanter Of wine in
the middle surrounded by slender wine.
glasses; and fine napkin was spread
over loaf Of cake close by. A dress o.
purest muslin lay upon counterpane o.
old.fashioned dimity, that covered the bed
like sheet of snow. -
! We stood by, while the old woman ar
rayed her child for the bridal, and won
dered why her hand should tremble so
and why the tears should fill our Lida''
eyes so constantly, when she observed hel
mothers agitation, ,-2