Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1855-05-12


husband can make her and l trust she may
look as bright and beautiful as she does at this
moment ~
More notes Of interrogation from ladies'
eyes around" This allusion of Mr.. Kilwinng's
gave the bride I" a local habitation !" though no
name. She must be in the room--but where ?
Some fancied she might be shut up in the cup
board others, that she was under the table.
Mr.. Flexible Flint, soft gentleman, drawled
out to Miss Jenkens Our friend. the bride
groom, appears to be indulgng in hallucination.
or is under the influence Of clarvoyance. unless,
my dear Miss Jenkens, you are the happy
woman"
"Oh, Heaven forbid w replied Miss JenkenG
with well affected indignation.
| Mr.. kilwiniDg, whose every word and move
ment were undergoing severe criticism, now
! looked at his watch
He begins 10 suspect he's lifted" whisper
ed Flint to Jenkens.
Mr. Kilwining rose, evidently for the pur-
pose Of making speech.
Poor devil !" compassionately exclaimed
Flint
An awful pause enaued-all eyes right on
Mr.. kilwining. No one had time to observe
Biddy and Tim popping their heads half in the
! door
Mr. Kilwining commenced Ladies' and
! gentlemen-but especially the ladies-I ertreat
your compassionate and patient attention to
what l an about to say"--
| It's going to be his last dying speech and
confession" whispered Flint to Jenkens.
! Miss Jenkens replied in the usual bad Joke
| about the halter" with faint smile, intended
| to conceal her anxiety
find myself in qouau-bat arn;,or-o ,,;,,,-
position--pve done a sngularly bold thing
I've invited you to wedding, in the hons
that certain lady would honor me with her
hand and have yet to ascertain whether I'm
to be triumphant or suffer defeat. As you are
all pleased TO call me eccentric, you will, I
know, make eccentIicity nv excuse but at
the same time, my dear ladies, in the present
instance at least, allow sincerity 70 be coupled
with it. The fact is / have-in plain words
for some time past been looking out for
wife> but among SO many accomplished and
lovely women, could scarcely presume to
hope Every face beamed with an encoursg-
ing and radiant smile towards Mr. Kilwining at
! this compliment And If l am to be rejected
when | name the lady-and she is in the room
at the present moment'-the greatest excite
ment now prevailed, with a faint cry from the
little Potters Of hear" (there p bat whether
the verb Of or the adverb, it were iudelicate 20
guess" confess that my presumption de-
serves rejection aud she shall have her
revenge on the spot By public refusal"-
Here MIR. hitwlning most proVokingly began
to best about the bush.) q doubt if should
ever have had the good fortune-the young
lady will pardon my presumption in Eentu-ing
10 say good fortuae-until I know nv fate
were it not that there appeared 10 be a tacit
agreement among her female friends, that she
was borne to blush unseen :" and the gentle,
quiet resignation with which she seemed % enter
into this very prejudicial arrangement was to
me, | confess, the most fascinating charm that
ever lovely woman possessed OF all others,
she is the one, and the only one, Iwonid select
for wife and eccentric though / be, feel
assured that even her deIicacy will pardon the I
mode in which thus testify to her retiring, !
obtrusve worth, even though it be fatal to nv
present preteusions, and fear, runous to nv
future happiness | conclude by proposing
no by respectfully offering my hand aud
fortune to your youngest daughter, Mrs.
Clacket !"
A very aadble "Oh |" burst from ali the
ladies at once. Ellen wes on the point Of
faintiug, but was supported by her astonished
sister; Mrs. C!acket, in state between laugh
ing and crying, was giving Mr. kilwining's
hand suudry convuisive squeeze5. Mr. Kilwin-
ing's speech had made all the ladies in love with
him, though no one could tell how the proposal
was received, for Ellen, her face buried in
her handkerchief, was led from the room. Mr
kilwining, now really looking the picture of
unhappiness followed and then of course all
tongues were loosened, and Mr. klwinings
eli Soolaro louj'v
"A most indelicate proceeding !" exclaimed
young Flint. The girls feelings are outraged
OF course, she'll refuse h;m.
Yes but whats triumph I" said the esv-
Gus Miss Jenkens WHO could have possibly
conceive that he meant Ellen Clacket :'
Just at this moment, the door Of the inner
apart opened, discovered Mr. Klwining rising
in rapture from his knees, pressing the hand Of
Ellen TO his lips. He led forward his blushing
bride-atttired, too, like a bride, magnificent
marriage-veil being thrown over her Mr.
Klwin;ng having taken the precsution of send
ing to London for bridal trousseaa, on the
chance OF It's being required, together with
special license while the Rev. Mr. Ti;he-eve.
had been prepared to act upon il BIZ performing
the ceremony, which vas OF the point OF
commencing. when Tins voice was heard loudly
veeiferating " Stop the we6din p mingled
with the still more suspicious CIT Of /" Stop
thief !"
"All faces looked amazment, Pon honor,n
whispered Flint to Jenkens a. suppose XII
wining viii tarn out svindler"
At this instant. Tim rushed into the room
exclaiming Stop what the diril are you
about Would you be drivin' all the luck from
he weddin' without the wrsthe of oranges that
I'm 10 be hanged for stealing Didn't when
saw masther was going 10 have rsls wife,
start of for Mrs. Padds, the nilline1's, and ex-
tract this issintisi from the window, and she
sanding spalpeen Of police afther NE shout
in stop thsfe % but sent The t-ansnogEi6ed
looster dova slaizs quicker thsa hs cans up"