Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1857-08-12
How Harry got his Wife.

1
made up my mind some years before, that
would never get married; but it was such a
pleasant business that l couldn't find it in
my heart to let the girls alone altogether,
so paid her tuition fee, and attended the
class in her company every night. About
the middle Of the term, several of the young
people, ourselves included, were talking in the
ball room on the subject Of matrimony; and
|, of course, became interested, as well as 9th
ers. On going home that evening, told my.
companion that l had determined to get
married in the spring, and asked her advice
In regard to the selection of wife. She
made no reply for moment and / told her
if she didn't know anybody better fitted for
me, l would like to have her think the mat
ter over, and tell me what she thought of
marrying me herself. was joking all this
time, you must understand, and had no more
thought of marrying her, than | have now
of marrying Queen Vic. She promised to
think of it, however, and | returned to my
boarding house, and gave the subject no fur
ther thought until some weeks later-when,
as luck would have it, the subject was again
brought up in conversation, just as we were
preparing to return to our homes for the
night. After leaving the hall, we talked and
chatted of different matters, and on different
subjects, till we reached her residence. 1t
was late, and l did not enter the house,
though she strongly urged me to do SO. l
bid her good night, and was turning away,
when | happened to recollect the promise she
had made me, and said:
Helen, you promised to let me know to-
night, whether you would marry me this
spring. Have you made up your mindY
yes says she, Il have been thinking about
it, but guess | am little too young. If
it wasn't for that would have no objection.
well, good night, them said I. did
MT expect you would do it but I'm bound
to marry some one, and this spring, too
Before leaving her, engaged to call again
the following evening. That night slept
soundly, and by the next morning had forgot
all about my nights Notwithstanding
the day / received an invitation to attend
ball to be held that evening, few miles out
Of the city, and made my arrangements ac-
cordingly. Toward dusk l remembered my
agreement to see Helen, and 1 thought L
would run over for time to see her before
it was time to attend the ball.
Arrived at the house, I met the lady in
the doorway, and thought for an instant
shat she was 'rigged up in an extra style,
which | was at loss to account for, though |
believe | had concluded that she had COM
pany, and | was therefore in hopes that I
should not be detained long. Helen well
coined me into the parlor with sweet smile,
and took her place beside me on the sofa. |
was expecting every moment to see some
stranger enter the room, and had not yet be-
come satisfied that we were alone, when she
said:
Henry, I've made up my mind to have
youn
Had a thunder-clap struck me, could not
have been more surprised, and after an instant
of hesitation, stammered out:
what did you say?
& have concluded to marry youp
ooh, you have! Well, suppose it's all
right-when shall the event take place?'
Il thought, if it would suit you, that you
might drive round next Sunday, and we will
60 to mothers, and be married there
'Well,' said !, I'll see if can, and as
soon as possible, took my leave.
l didn't 60 to the ball that night forgot
all about it, and sat over the stove till morn
ing, thinking what scrape had got myself
into. even forgot to keep the fire going,
and almost froze in my scat. Whendaylight
began to peep in at the windows, Ihad made
up my mind what to do. would 90 over
and tell Helen we must be married immedi-
ately or not at all, and if she agreed to that,
| saw no other way but to submit to my fate
When l entered the gate leading up to her
house, I heard her singing lively song, and
my heart smote me for deceiving the poor
girl as I had, but l summoned up courage to
ring the bell, and pulling up my collar and
throwing my head back, anxiously waited an
answer to my summons. She came to the
door, and l was again shown into the parlor,
and she again took her place beside me on
the sofa.
'Helen,' l commenced.
well, whatp
'I-I-we must be married today, or l.
| don't think we shall be able to be married
at ALL
The words stuck in my throat as / said it,
for / knew | was telling whopper; but i'm
agine my surprise when she replied:
We'll just as you please, Henry. You
may drive your carriage round about twelve