Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1855-05-05

htW but hNu Hop5 thdt-i Hopc mat you
hope that you will cant say il as meant
to aunt Dolly, ,riR you marry p,ei
Dolly had listened in,enlly 10 the Doctor as
he began his speech, and supposed he was
about to ask her advice and as he proceeded,
she though, so little Of herself that she did not
anticipate an offer, which would have been ca
silly foreseen by many Of her sex and when
he abruptly concluded with his proposal, she
was as much asionshcd as il he had asked per-
mission 10 shoot her. She looked at hun with
woadcr for moment, and then exclaimed
me i--marry you, Doctor =
There knew how il would be am an
old fool Why should be so stupid as 10 think
that a beautiful, kind, tender woman would
take an old bear for husband WE'LL he
continued, taking up with trembling hands his
hat and cane, you're right, you're right For
give me for troubling you.
Doctor Doctor !. said Aunt Dolly, in a
deprecating voice, you don't understand me-
was surprised that such great man as you
conld think of poor, lone, weak woman like
me-
Down wont the hat, and down went the cane,
and one of Dolly's little hands was buried in
the huge grasp of the Doctor, as he hurriedy
inquired 'WiH you marry me =
The blood rushed TO her face, and with a
downcast look she answered Il will, if it will
make you happy
The Doctor dropped the little hand, and look
ed at Dolly sesrchingly; then grasped II again,
and said Tell me the truth, Dolly, the ,ohole
truth : will it make you happy tool
Dolly looked up with her mild and loving
blue eyes, those eyes bright with woman's
trust and tenderness, and answered 'GoD
knows il willr
Poor Dolly she was destined to another
surprise greater than the first for no sooner
had the words been uttered than the Doctor
caught her in his arms, seated her on his lap,
and kissed her over, and over, and over again,
Is a father would caress a child.
Sufficiently embarrassed by this violent out
break Of affection, she was doubly confused,
while this demonstration was 10 progress, to see
Theodore bound into the room, crying out =
Mother mother you must GO out and enjoy
the bracing air y
Now Theodore was fond Of 'iahlean vivants;'
he had seen many, and acted in many but new
or before had he been so startled as at that mo-
mcnt. lie knew not what to say, and his moth
er knew not what to DO but the Doctor broke
the silence by standing Dolly on her feet, and
ferociousy asking What the devil do you
want. Sirt Before ho could receive an answer,
he said, in an altered voice Theodore, my
boy, hope you will not grieve to hear that you
will soon have right to call me Father
There is, my dear Sir, no man whom !
would so gladly call Father; and what is Of
more importance, | know that my dear mother
will be happy in the union, and she knows how
very dear her happiness is 10 me.
'Mo,her,' inquired Theodore, with 4 playful
smile, may kiss you iooi'
Dolly approached her only child, put her
arm around his waist, laid her head on his
breast, and turned 10 him face radiant with
motherly affection. Theodore clasped her to
bis heart, and imprinted on her fair forehead q
kiss Of reverence and love.
And now, Doctor said he, 'as you say you
arc to be married soon, may ask hOi1 soon =
Next week. was the brief reply.
Next week . exclaimed Dolly, starting from
Theodores embrace; why, Doctor, how you
talk =
Yes he replied, next week will either see
me married or dead for il live, married
certainly shall be. The world shall know moth
ing about the matter until il is all over
! Aunt Dolly could not resist the vigorous will
Of her future husband. During the brief inter-
val before the wedding his visits were exceed
ingly short. He said that several Of his pa
tients were very i'll, and required all the time
he could devote to them; and in reply to vari-
Gus questions, the answer was; we will see
when the time comes Theodore grew quite
Nervous. He only knew that his mother was
TO be married at church on a certain day, but
neither he nor Dolly knew where their home
was to be, or where they should go when they
lefi the church. Theodore called the Doctors
attention 10 this matter but he only replied
that he ind Dolly were not particular, and that
be thought he could live without any boys ad-
vice.
Aunt Dolly was satisfied with any thing that
would satisfy the Doctor, but her son awaited
tile result with manifest anxiety for, noiwiill-
standing the good intentions of the eccentric
physician, Theodore feared that some blundei
would prove source Of yexation and annoy
ance:
Tho marriage was celebrated in the mos,
private manner and, as the Doctor entered the
carriage, he exclaimed
Now for little journey, Dolly
"A journey = said Dolly 'and without any
baggage!'
Il hate trunks and bandboxes,' was the reply
let them be sent after you
, Dolly looked at the Doctor, and limidly in
qured, as il il might be rather sign of veal
and childish curiosity Where arc you go
ing!'
There was certainly nothing ludicrous OF un
natural in the remark, but it appeared to amus'
! her husband nightly. Aunt Dolly said he
you are the most foolish little woman eve
met with. / just told you we were on jour
ney, and you ask me, Where are you goings'
Dolly looked at him bcseechingly, as il il
: acknowledgement Of her weakness in asking Sc
, supernuous a question.
, Well, 1t is so The Doctor told the truth
Dolly is foolish little woman.
While she was resolving neter to plague he
/ husband with idle questions, and thinking how