The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1857-01-08
From the Waverley Magazine.
The Magic Bride.
BY v. A. DWIGHT.

Mr.. Nelson was a wealthy planter in Vlr-
kinia' being tile owner offs, yeral estates III con
junction and of servants to correspond to his
estates His family consisted of on son and
two daughters. To his chilren he had given
the usual notwithstanding sent his son TO the
University, aud his daughter TO the most fash
ionable schools, He himse fhad been wldower
for many years. aud had abandoned all idea OF u
second marriage III son, the eldest OF his chill
dren. in imitation of his fathers example, had
lately taken a wife to himself, and was settled
Iur life; the two daughters were yet single. anu
in the pride of womauhood. The elder OF the
twu it was supposed, was engaged to be mar
ried The younger had sc managed her relations
II life, the, no one knew VIII, 'heE she was en-
ruged or not, at least noue Of the family "Xcert
herself Many young gentlemen waited on her
as was customary, but she so drmranrd herself
that it was impossible to determine whether She
had any particular preference for this or that
individual. The old gentleman WAS extremely
fond of his children and though he had not
absolutely objected to their marrying, yet he
would have been more pleased if they had con-
sen;ed to forego any such measure.
Marriage, in his view, was always hazardous
affair." the chances against it, as lucky expert
ment, being a, the present day as ten to one
iIappiues )" he said, was the object OF his
life, but happiness was rather negative than
positive existence. To BE- without care and anx-
iety was better than to have a little enjoyment
at great venture. The poor man was more to
be envied than the rich man, that had lost his
fortune he that was safe on shore than he that
had been to sea and scarcely escaped drowning.
Enjoy fife, at least for time, my children /;
calamity will come quickly enough without an
/ NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., also, without exposure.
Such was the old grntlemamS admonitory
hints to his daughters; but TO :hem, OF course,
they appeared to have little weight, and the less
because he seemed TO be little selfish in CIV
ing them Aud it is the fault of human nature,
too. to be subject 10 impulse rather than reason
to consult the will rather than the judgment.
The young ladies thought there was time ioI
all things one for matrimony, at least. Thri'
father was more sage and many Others TOO
are quite as philosophical till they themselves
enter into matrimonial speculation.
Maria Nelson engaged, aud was, o.
course, TO be married al some time or other
This was sufficiently trying TO the father al
though he had no objection TO the parties rela
lively. To the marriage itself he was oppose
on account of parting with his daughter. Hi
desired her still to live with him but the tim,
came when she must leave him. She married
and left for a neighboring plantation. Eleano
was all the consolation that the old gentlemen
now had in his family. Everything, indeed. wa
we'll in regard to his social connections in life
but he looked upon himself as bling deprived o
his children except one, Eleanor
"And now," said he, Eleanor, will you &c
too"
"Not yet, father certainly will not euv
you at present"
"My child, shall live but few years wi
you not remain till die?
"My father, give yourself no uneasinrss abor
the matter you see that am not yet going I
leave you.''
"And will you never leave me?'
Never-my father--never!
THAT is dear child" said he, and yo
shall be rewarded"
Eleanor, in Difference to her ia hers wishe
concluded to listen TO no immediate proposa
in marriage She CONTINUED single though oft'
solicited 10 do otherwise Still she did n
-abandon the idea of uniting ''r destiny WI
Gne on whom she had her eye, an Who possess
her heart. But her secret was he own. I
one knew whom she favored, not even the pc
son himself. That he suspected he was me
acceptable than any other one, was highly pT
bable. for love has its signs and symbols whiC
though as mystical to the world as those of n
sonry, to the lover are as ineligible. But /
forms and ceremonies in this case were not {
pressed in words and actions. The most acl
lawyer could not have make out case in
vent of a rupture; the sympathy betwe
Esa'ss y as urdiscsrnsb.e a. the essence o: 81