The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1854-10-18
MY WIFE--HOW WE FIRST Be
CAME ACQUAINTED

Nearly dozen years ago, was on my
return to the old homestead in the good
State of Connecticut, having just compile
| ted my studies as student of medicine.
In company with a goodly number of peo-
pie, [ stopped for nj ght alta country inn,
in the town of B, not being able to
resume my journey till late hour on
the following day. Having always been
an admirer of the country, I was not dis
satisfied with the arrangement, and my
pleasure was further enhanced by finding
at the supper table two young ladies Of
SURPRISING loveliness, the younger of
whom thought the most bewitching lit
tie creature in existence.
The ladies were accompanied by a
young gentleman about my own age, with
whom l could not help but feel exceed
ingly annoyed. He not only engrosscd
all their attention, but, lucky dog, as he
seemed, was determined that no other
person should participate in the amuse-
ment. An offer of some little delicacy
by myself to the younger of the two Ia
dies, was met by an icy sort of polite
ness on his part, that etfectually chilled
any further attempt at intimacy soon
left the table, but could not drive the
image of that lovely being 1 had just left
from my mind. Something whispered
to ne that we should become acquainted
at some future time, but in the meantime
l left more than uneasy.
l longed to be not only an intimate ac-
quaintance, but accepted lover, and had
l been possessed of all the riches of Cre-
sus, would have unhesitatingly poured
them in her lap.
In tie excitement under which was
then laboring, I thought walk would do
me good, but on opening the door for that
purpose, found the night had set in as
dark as Erebus, and, being an entire
stranger there, and not knowing what
mischief [ mig ght encounter, made up
my mind to compromise the matter by
going to bed.
L retired, but for long time rolled
and tossed about sadly now one plan by
which might make the acquaintance of
the young lady would suggest itself, and
then another, until found myself in a
state of dreamy languor, neither fast
asleep nor quite awake.
fancied that I had heard, for the last
few moments, short of light hustle 60
ing on near my bed, but it gave me no
uneasiness, until suddenly some one
sprang into the bed, and clasping her
arms about me, whispered
Ugh how dreadful cold it is, to be
sure [ say, Julia, we shall have to lay
spoon fashion or we shall freeze"
Here was an accident. What to say,
or how to act, was a question not easily
solved At last [ mustered courage
enough to say:
" Ny dear madam, here is some mis-
take. PHI
The lady did not wait for ME to say
more. With a sharp, quick scream, she
sprang from the apartment. I was won
dering what in the deuce it could mean,
when a servant brought light into my
room, picked up all the lady apparel she
could find about the premises, and left
the apartment. You can believe me,
gentlemen, that my slumbers that eve
ming were far from quiet.
In the morning, [ knew not who it was,
but was vividly impressed with the idea
that my nocturnal visitor was one of the
two ladies who supped with me the eve
ming previous, but which 1 could not con-
lecture. I was resolved, however, to
ascertain on the most favorable opportu-
nifty which might present itself, and sat-
isfy myself beyond any doubt.
On taking my seat at the breakfast
table on the next morning, 1 placed my
self opposite the ladies, and was resoly
ing in my mind the incidents of the pre-
vious evening, when the youngest of the
two passed her plate, and begged me to
favor her with some of the preserves
near me.
Certainly" said I, and as the
thought came into my mind that she
might be the lady in question, added,
&c Will you take them spoon fashion 2''
Eureka! what an explosion. The
lady's face instantly assumed the hue
of crimson dahlia, while her companion
seemed cold and passionless.
I was satisfied she had kept her own
counsel-scraped an acquaintance-fell
deeply in love, and when reached home
1 had the pleasure of presenting to my
parents my estimable lady the present
Mrs. Maddox.