The Empire County argus., 1854-03-18

81 didn't think about the cost of the brandy"
said she, ''or wouldn't have put up so many But
want to send jar to our dear cousin Agnes, and
another to aunt Mildred"
'Small damage done,n | replied, cheerfully.
'Brandicd peaches good and its no harm to
have enough of them"
And so the subject was dismissed from our
thoughts.
My wife had beautiful cousin residing in New
ark, New Jersey, who often came over to the city
and spent few days or weeks with us. We were
fond OF Maria, for she was lovely and intelligent
girl, and won the affections of all that thrown
into her society. About Christmas we were taken
by surprise with the news that Maria was to be
married in January. 1t was the first intelligence
that we had received of her having lover though
the fact was by no means wonderful.
Marias mother wrote that on the occasion of
the marriage, the young bride and her husband
would come on and spend few days with US This
arrangement pleased us, and we made every prepa-
ration to receive and entertain them.
The young man to whom Maria was to be mar
ried was a stranger to us. His name was Mark
Wilder All we learned of him through the letter
of Marias mother was that he resided in New
York, and was doing business there, and that he
was, moreover, as far they knew fully worthy to
claim the hand of their sweet child.
In due time the young couple arrived. Maria
had never looked so Lowell y nor so handsome Will
der was not so young as we had expected to find
him, though we could hardly say that the disparity
IN their ages sufficient to occasion remark. She
was Twenty-Five and he about thirty.
"With the dessert on the day of their arrival,
came some of my wite's peaches. This was an ar
ticle on which she prded herself.
After serving the pudding, she asked Wilder if
he would have some of the branded peaches.
"No, thank you y he replied.
'Yes, do take some. They are very fine" urged
Mrs. Jones
"You'll have to try my wife's branded peaches"
spoke 81 can testify as to their quality"
''Do try some, Mark" said the young bride, in a
coaxng voice. turning her eye upon her husband
as she spoke.
"a can take no denial"
And as my wife said this, she handed Wilder the
peaches and he took them.
Il declare you haven't touched them peaches
yet" said Maria, some two OR three minutes after
wards
'Now that is too bad !" fell from the lips of Mrs
Jones, in half reproachful tone.
| Wilder, at this, took the saucer and tasted the
fruit
"Thoyro very fne indeed said he, every fine.
never remember to have met with any having so
delightful flavor"
81 pride myself on my branded pcaches,' re-
marked my wife, in self satisfied manner.
After tasting the peaches Wilder cat what had
been served to him with an evident relish
"1ry aGothor, said Mrs. Jones.
81 DONE care if do was replied. II didn't
think they were 50 fine. It's some timo since tas
ted fruit preserved in this way
Before retiring that evening, some refreshments
were served by my wife, and among them, her
branded peaches. Wilder did not decline this
timo but eat the fruit with fine relish, and prais
ed it very highly.
Give got a jar for Maria" said my wife.
"laye YOU indeed !" returned Wilder. owe
shall enjoy them very much You must teach her
your skill in preserving them"
"Indced will. Take another, won't YOU"
81 don't care if do. They are truly delicious"
Such praise Of her peaches was sufficient for Mrs.
Jones to have them often as it could be done
while the young couple staid. They were served
with the dessert every day set out with the lunch
at eleven o'clock and introduced with the refresh
ments in the evening. And on all these occasions,
Wilder needed no urging to induce him to partake
Of them freely.
| On the day before they were to return, Wilder
went out after dinner 1t was the first time he had
done so unaccompaned by his wife. He did not
come home until near tea time. We spent the time
socially, | noticed a change in the young man,
but did not think anything particularly about it
until after we had retired, when Mrs Jones said
| Didn't you think Mr.. Wilder acted very strange
ly?7
"IIow1" inquired.
"lle has been SO quiet, and gentlemanIy. But
tonight, he was noisy, and at times, almost rude"
"Ilo seemed to be in vAy good spirits
"Too good spirits, | should say"
"He felt acquainted, perhaps and acted himself
out more fully
"No don't believe it is that" said my wife. 81
don't believe it was that"
"What was it then!'
"Im afraid he's been drinking"
ooh, no y
I'm sure of it. I'm never deceived"
| "Perhaps he met friend, and took social glass
| with him"
Giles taken more than one glass you may depend
upon it. | really feel sorry about it. thought
Maria looked sober"
81 didn't observe anything different in her." said
|. "She's never very gay you know"
But Mrs. Jones would insist upon it that Wilder
had been drinking, and that Maria looked sober"
On the next morning they appeared at breakfast
time, looking as happy as usual The meal was a
hurried one, they were to leave for New York in
the morning line, and passed with but little conyer
sation.
''Oh !" said Wilder, as he stood with his cloak on
his arm, waiting for the trunks to be strapped on
to the carriage that was to convey them to the
boat-'you mustn't forgot that jar of branded
peaches"
''You shall have them,@ replied Mrs Jones,
laughing. They'll go on by express tomorrow"
That's right. | don't thinl, could enjoy my
dessert now, without branded peach"
"What will you do when they are gone!" asked
Maria, looking archly in his face.
"Do without, suppose unless we can find a sup
ply in New York
The driver announced the carriage ready.
Hurried farewclls succeeded, and in a few minutes
| oIo