The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1855-07-25


S visits Oft-times he would ask to see tn
bed of flowers on which Esther rathe
5 prided herself; and sometimes he woul,
r petition for seeds, being very fond of flow
: ers, as he said, and very anxious to intro
D dYce them into his own garden.
n On one of these occasions, Mr.. Bige
low, after little visible embarrassment
f said hesitatingly:
' I would like to ask your advice, Mis-
Esther, on rather a delicate subject, ant
: one of great Importance to myself. Their,
5 is one thing wish to secure to make my
establishment complete, but hardly know
in what manner to ask for it,
:. What is it you refer tor asked Esther
unsuspiciously.
, "A Wife, was the significant reply.
Instantly a deep crimson flushed Es
theirs cheeks. She did not trust hersel
to speak.
! Need I say that you are the one whom
of all others would seek to place in tina,
}position?'
He took her unresisting hand and kissed
it with the gallantry of a young lover.
But what will my brother says' in
quired Esther, when she found voice to
speak,
What should he say? You are your
own mistress, surely
Yes, but he is always ridiculing the
idea of marriage, and I couldn't venture
to tell him.
/
No need of it. Let's run away to
New York and get married You know,
he added gaily, I'VE are both young and
romantic, and it would be quite in char
acter' -
Esther at first objected, but when she
came to consider that in this way she
would be relieved of the great portion of
the embarrassment which such a step
would naturally bring with it, she consent
led, aad that day one week was appointed
for the departure. She required this time
to make preparations.
Meanwhile, if Esther had not been SO
exclusively occupied with her own affairs
she might have noticed that change had
come over Philip. He was often absent
evenings, and when at home was more 81
lent and abstracted than his wont. The
former she readily attributed to the cause
which he assigned, namely, a pressure of
business The latter she did not observe,
her mind being pre-occupied. We, who
are in the secret, may take the liberty of
following him on one of his business calls.
1t was at c neat cottage, from whose front
door dangled an immense knocker, that
Philip Manson knocked. The door was
opened by the same Miss Preston who,
some months before, he thought would
'do' for Mr.. Bigelow.
Good evening, Maria, was his saluta-
tion as he entered. After brief CONVEX
sation about the weather, the crops, and
other standard topics, which however triv-
ial they may seem, could hardly be dis
pensed with, he. began to show signs of
embarrassment, and finally CALCULATED :.
Maria-Miss Preston-I mean Maria,
is, what are your opinions about marriage?'
Why said she, Il hardly know. r.
/ don't think I have given much consid-
Grafton to the subject rs
Because continued Philip, Il find my
opinions have suffered change on this
point. There was time when thought
it unwise, but now if could get good
wife, such as you, for example, 1 should be
inclined to try it,
tOh, lor, Mr.. Manson said Miss Pres
ton, in some perturbation, how you talkl'|
Five minutes afterwards Miss Preston
had accepted the proposal of Philip, and
the two were to all iDtents and purposes
engaged .a-,..a. se - ss4 :;
The only thing ! think of, said the
gentleman, after pause, is, that my sister
Esther is a decided enemy to marriage
and I hardly dare to tell her that / am
about to marry. If we only go away and
have the ceremony performed, it would be
II
Suppose we. go to, New York. sug-
gested the bride-elects
A good idea. Wen go. When can |
you be ready ., -g
Next Monday morning. '~
! So next Monday morning was agreed
upon. 1T SO happened that Esther was
to start On. Monday afternoon for the
same place, with the same purpose in
yiew-but of this coincidence neither par
ty was aware.
The reader will please go forward a.
week, BY this time the parties have
reached New York, been united in the |,
holy bonds of matrimoIiy, and are now le-
gally husband and wife. They are now
located at hotels situated on the same side
Of the way, but were far from being awarel
Of the, propinquitX. On the morning sue
ceeding the two marriages for by sim
gular chance they happened on the same
iay-Mr. Bigelow and Esther started out
For walk down street. 1t so happened
that Philip and his wife were at the same
moment nor! walking up, streets The natural
was that the Two parties met. !.
:. Good heavens! my sisterp exclaimed
Philip, 'n.@-, asr{ .34 :. I,
fMerciful goodness! my brother!' re-
urned Esther -az sls.1.as sae...5s
GlRhof br:,,r,or - Ln,o s,.slI - - 81