The Belmont chronicle, and farmers, mechanics and manufacturers advocate. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1848-1855, 1854-02-17
MISCELLA N ECU s.
From Hogs Instructor.
THE CHRISTMAS BRIDE.
tcoNTINUED]
CHAPTER ~.

1t was the Monday morning before Christ
mas-day--a bright, clear, frosty morning
and Mr.. Sellers gave his arm to his wife, for
the purpose of escorting her to do what ladies
call ga little shopping" He had never been
used to this kind of thing, but he did not
dread entering shop with Martha. She was
not in the habit of tuning over the whole
contents of the shelves, and worrying the
young men out of all patience, for yard Of
ribbon or little tulle. Her quick eye dis
cerned at once what would suit her purpose;
and her natural consideration for the feelings
of others led her to give no more trouble than
what was absolutely necessary. She had
even been known to hurry over purchase,
and 60 home but half-satisfied, when she
happened to find out that it was the dinner
hour for. the young men, and that the youth
who was attending to her was very faint
with long mornings work. So we may be
sure that our bride did not keep her husband
very long dangling his legs from the high
narrow chairs in the several shops, but des-
patched her business with equal ease and
rapidity, varying it by affectionate appeals to
his taste and judgment, which kept him a
pleased spectator Of her cheerful movements.
They were Just leaving the large establish
ment where Mrs. Sellers had ordered an un-
usual quantity of raisins, and candied lemon,
and SO forth, for her Christmas preparatie ms
when they stumbled upon woman who was
entering it. Mrs. Sellers was looking another
way, and did not particularly notice the per-
son whom she thus encountered. But i'm
mediately afterwards, on asking her husband
a slight question, she received no answers
and looking up into his face for the reason
of his silence, she was surprised to find that
it bore the traces of strong though suppress
ed emotion.
"What is the matter, dearest!" she In
quired in alarm. "Are you ill2"
"No-nothing, love-" he stammered; ant
she forbore farther questioning, for she saw
that he did not wish it. No more was said
and he soon became as cheerful as usual.
"Whom shall we have to dine with us OF
Christmas-day?" said Caroline, as they wer'
sitting round the fire after dinner.
at is almost too late to issue the invita-
tions now," remarked Jane, dscontentedly
"We have always been in the habit of invit
ing few friends for that day, Mrs. Sellers
$50 understand" quietly observed thu
bride. "But We are in time yet. Have yo'
any poor relations, Mr.. Sellers, who woul'
be glad of good dinner D. roast beef ant
plum pudding!"
The young ladies' looked at each other, ant
then at their papa. But he, after one glance
into the candid, loving eyes of his young
wife, answered composedly, though with
certain restraint, II am almost ashamed t
tell you, Martha, that have nearly lost sigh
of them all. Let me see. Poor Jack Marvel
the first Mrs. Sellers's brother. An idle, dis
sipated sort of fellow he was, and we re
ally could not do with him disgracing us here
30 we let him know he was not very welcome
and, being as proud as he was poor, he sool
made himself scarce. have not seen hin
for the last six years. The last time hear
OF him, he was living in one of the loves
parts of the town.
The bride had seated herself at a smal
writing table beside the..6re "What is hi
address, dear!" she said.