Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1853-06-30
Usages of Courtship.

One evening, IN gay party at MIR. lrving's,
the subject turned upon female beauty, and
gentleman of the company asserted that the
youngest daughter Of Mr.. Smith--as blonde
was the most beautiful glrl in the city.
instantly resolved TO satisfy myself, and slip
ping out of the room, went straight to Mr.
Smiths house, and rang the bell
The door was openedby the youngest daught-
or herself who explained the unusual orcum-
stance by saying that Happened that there was
no one in the house except her parents and her
self.
looked earnestly at the maiden, and found
her beautiful and graceGll beyond all descrip-
tion; so, without hesitation, Iasked her, there,
on the threshold if she would be my wife.
"Why notP" answered she, "but come in and
see my parents"
We parted late in the evening, with tender
smbrace-all was settled between us.
In that city, on the 28th of January, we were
married, in good simple fashion, and late in
the evening the bride stepped into my carriage,
at her fathers door, and went with me to my
old house.
soon found that it was easier for man to
become a bridegroom than wise husband We
plagued each other constantly in the beginning,
out of pure love, till from continued vexation, a
GOODNESS ensued, which we both felt but could
not account for. ..-..
Yesterday, my little lady would not allow me
10 leave her side, and to-day she found it good
10 visit her brother, ten miles in the country,
without bidding me adieu, or naming the time Of
her return. ...
Two days after this, hasty messengers came,
one after another-I must come-I should come
Without me she could have no peace.
went-and the Joy Of Reunion seemed as if
it would never end, r.
On the following day | was again burden.--
Ileft her again with cold parting, and that self
same night came the repentance by an extra
post--she could not live without mel must
hasten back.
This certainly would not do-in this way all
my identity would be destroyed.
Since the day of my marriage with my beau
tiful wife, had been the submissive slave to
her will, but now that it was plain she had a
will of her own, must follow some other plan
sat down to consider, and after some reflection
determined what to do.
Since my marriage, my old employments and
pursuits had been altogether neglected; but
now resumed them, and as much as possible re-
turned to my bachelor life.
My wife every day sent letters full of tears
but paid no attention to them outwardly, al
though they touched my heart sorey. A
length wrote her long, serious letter, il
which | said tnal as we HAD been married with
out any previous court>hrp, ii was not strange
that, being unacquInicd with each others char
acter, we could not harmonIze together, and
proposed that she should remain at her father
house at present, and that with her permiS SION
] would visit her two or three times week
and spend an evening with her in conversation
until we were acquainted with each other, an,
after that, if she should like me well enough,
would take her home to be my wife - but If sh
found she could not he satisfied with my habits
manners aud character, would eave her unde
+ her fathers roof, ana give up al claims upo
her.
This plan did not please her much, but sh
I appeared 10 think it would not be becoming i
4 her to bring up any objection.
\, Well-to cut long story short, after form
al courtship of no very great length, once NOR
took her home, and she made me one of the b..
little wives in the world.