The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1853-02-15
HENRIETTA, THE BRIDE.
BY HARRIET MARrINEAU.

Queen. wife of Charles IT,. had introduced a
sort of Bloomer costume which fixed all eyes;
and, of course all female hearts wero set on
having suit like tho Queens. Her Majes-
ty had appeared in the Park with a whitehead
waistcoat or jacket, and a crimson short petit
coat, and hat with a feather. After this,
there was no rest for the dress makers till eve-
ry lady had her short petticoat and jacket
Tho gentlemen professed themselves scandal
zcd, not at tho petticoat. but at tho ladies but
toning their jackets up to the throat, ms men
button their coats in cold weather. We hear
something also of periwigs under the hats, but
this, which seems to us the only Objectionable
part of the dress land it was part not worn
by tho Qnecn) seems to have passed without
challenge in those days of frizzled pates. A
midst the pressure on the dress. makers. the
brides claimed to be the first served and tho
claim was allowed; for it was clearly imposs-
BILE for young ladies TO be married till their
wardrobe were prepared for tho newest fashion
but it became more difficult to supply oven the
brides; for the apprentices, and the dress-ma-
kers themselves were dying very fact, some
| said with heat and fatigue, others said with
| something worse. The fact was, tho Plague
was in London. and spreading fast, though no
body in the fashionable world chose to own it.
The physicians, seeing what would please, and
believing alarm TO be dangerous, denied the
fact in gentee houses, though they swallowed
a lump of spicy electuary when they rose in
tho morning, and went their rounds with loz-
cnges in their mouths. and kept flask of Ca.
nary wine handy, to fortify themselves when
exhausted They let the world know of these
precautions afterwards; but at the time. they
seemed to, dcrdeall opprehensions, and helped
to cry. Peace! peace! when there was no
peace.
Miss Henrietta Holmes was one of the in
tended brides OF that summer, and for her were
many needles piled, till ono apprentice after
another dropped from her stool or failed to
come to work in the morning The gay girl
knew nothing of this; for her lover kept from
her knowledge all he could of the spread Of tho
plague; and her parents kept it from them
selves. They were very happy; and they did
not like to think of any disturbance. Charles
Osborn, her lover, had scarcely any fear. He
and bis beloved were as healthful os people
could well be; and everybody thought they
carried long life in their faces. Unless by
some accident from an over.advcnturous spirit,
they Seemed qs secure as, youth, strength, en-
crgy and gay hearts could make them.
The wedding day arrived. There was
great dinner ut two o'clock. All the relations
who were in London were present; and the
clergyman and the family physician. and somc
intimate friends besides. Henrietta was, that
day, a sight to make the most melancholy per-
son cheerful. Her round, rosy faco and DIM
pied chin gave he- the air OF being Younger
than she was; and she looked too childlike to
be bride. She was rallied and toasted rather
too much as a child, Charles thought, by some
of her fathers friends: but they had dandled
her as babe and had forgotten tho lapse of
years. Just before her mother and the other
ladies left the table, Charles observed that
Henrietta looked uncomfortable for moment,
and shivercd slightly. as if from cold. IIo or
dcred tic door which led down to tho garden
TO be closed; and observed that draught or
air was more tn bo avoided on hot days when
it was plcasantcst, than on occa. ions when no
body liked it. Henrietta thanked him with a
smile. and presently withdrew, followed by
mother and aunts, all eager 10 dress her for the
ceremony of tho evening.
It was her mother who put the finishing hand
TO her dress by fastening the embroidered jack
ct, and arranging the lace ruff within H. While
doing this, the mother became suddenly silent.
turned the girl round TO face the light, unfas-
tened jewcled button or two. and then, in
constrained voice asked her daughter how she
thought she would 60 through the ceremony
whether she felt strnng and at case.
Dyes replied Henrietta, 4 shall got thro
very well. Why nott'
If you feel in the least anxious or faint. or
weak, my dear, let mo know, and YOU shall
have a cordial which will strengthen your
heart
Talk of cordals.' said an aunt, 30 pirl
with cheek like this" patting it fondIy. She
is fresh as rose. She wants no cordals.'
But Henrietta did not say so.
Better givo her little Cordial said another
aunt. "A girl may need it on such day us
this who never did before, and never NAV a.
gain. Besides, saw her shver before wo left
the table,
Henrietia,' said her mother, nervously fas-
tening the buttons again, are you we'll? Tell
me-
Yes mother; that is, worry nearly indeed. -
Only just little sick
Very natural l am surc,' said everybody.
We will ask DR., Hodges about tho cordial;'
end tho mother was going to call him, when
Henrietta stopped her laughing. Sho would
not Rave word to say TO any doctor, as doc
tor. She was well now, quite well: tho little |
qualm had passed, was altogether gone.
DIR. Hodges camo. however, He was told
Henrietta was slightly unwell. In spite ofhim-
self, he looked grave, till he had felt her pulse, |
looked at her tongue, and so forth. Then |
with feally cheerful face-for he loved tho |
girl as it she had been his daughter-he told |
her II was only little nervousness, natural |
enough on such day. She had not lost her |
appetite at dinner; her pulse was steady, her |
complexion was natural, her breathing easy,
and she had no pain: he would venture to call
her perfectly well; and in this, she laughingiy |
agreed. Once more. her mother turned her
towards the light unfastened her dress. put
aside the lace rutf, and watched the physicians
countcnance He know il: and no commanded
his countenanco well. The spccks he saw
were mihu'c and few; but their character was
not to be mistaken.
He wished himself hundred miles off. He
would fam have had those litilo marks on his
own breast rather Than 60 through what he
saw must fappch that night. But ho would
not leave tho scene. lie was called away to
a case more advanced than hers; but he has
tened back. in time to witness the ceremony.
lie saw her married; and his composure no
doubt removed the fears of tho mother; for all
was done chcerfully, merrily; and, when the