M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1857-01-15
srIrttea staries.
THE PLEASANT BRIDE.
BY LIZZIE L1NwooD.

Years ago / had a sister-Eliza--t
tall graceful girl whom death has since
claimed. To my girlish fancy she
was q fit object for alteration, and
dearly did love to sit and study the
language other pale face, thought could
never tell which was the most beauti.
ful-the pleasant smile upon her lips
or the varied expression Of her dark
blue eye. only know | loved her
and felt she was something more than
human. But with all her stateliness,
there was at times, a quiet drollery
about her which provoked mirth in
spite of sad thoughts and sickening
fears.
We had another sister-Mary-a
prudish little thing between us in age;
whose difference from either harmon.
+, lied well in the trio, xig2
It was a holiday for us when we
could get nice joke upon our sober
sister, and witness her CONSERVATION,
and helplessness to retort. #
Wehad been looking for some time
for visit from our brother, who was
doing business in distant city, but
were suddenly surprised one after
noon, by the arrival of bis most init
mate friend--Frank Harlow, whom
we had never seen, but whom we had
heard much. He had been West on
business, and knowing our place Of
residence, and having been assured by
my brotherof a warm welcome, he
had determined to stop and rest 2 few
days from the fatigue of his journey,
and form the acquaintace Of the sisters,
of whom he had such frequent descrip-
tions. 3. " es.. -..s
We only needed to bear him well
come, and to extend to him the cordi-
alities of the house, for, was he not
our brothers friend9 He looked wea-
ry and travel worn, and sister Eliza,
whose sympathies were ever warm for
thephysically weak, begged of him,
after partaking ofsome refreshments,
to rest an hour, and herself conducted
him to the old fashioned parlor cham
Der, where many a traveller aud honor
ed guest had rested their wearied 6od-
les, and their aching eyes soothed by
the pleasant shade of green, the well
trained vines east in at the windows,
and threw around the honely tho
comfortable room. -.'.''-
Sister Mary had gone to visit a sick
friend and it was dark before we saw
her coming up the lane that led to the
house. Mr.. Harlow had not come
down yet, and as glanced at sister
Eliza saw plainly that some sport
was to be had. if possible without
sacrificing truth. 'e.
We heard the front door open, two
or three measured steps and then,
with one wild cry of delight our usu.
ally sedate sister rushed into the par.
lor exclaiming, psp ~ p Z = a.
"Where is he2 Where is he2 Has
Warren comet" =. !, w s !. 81 ''l9'
"Warrenl What should make you
think, he had come ~ replied Eliza
with the most yexing indifference.
"Why, whose travelling trunk is thii
out here in the hall-and who does
this cloak belong top - - -
"0h, they belong to a young mar
who is going to spend a few days
with u.s." answered Eliza again with
the most provoking calmness. !" He
is resting a little while in the parlol
chamber-he will be down
Sister Mary did not, wait to heal
the sentence finished, but hastil,
throwing off her bonnet and shawl
was inthe hall and bad assembled th.
stairs, before we had time to thinl
whether it was best to call her back d
not. "
It was warm weather and our guess