The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1857-05-09

UuCeu myself as JOOn fcteIS, wnS'S"P0"
your father, forgetting there might De ano-
ther John Peters in the world, bundled me
into an omnibus, and hurried me here be-
fore could offer any explanation
| How odd - exclaimed Bella. And you
are not nv cousin after alls but l rather
like you, and am not little pleased with
the adventure, because we can both laugh
together over fathers mistake, and the ab-
sent John Peters red hair"
(" But must explain the matter immed'-
ately, though I confess dislike the idea OF
giving you to the absent John Peters" an
sEered our hero, with winning smile; "es-
pecially as you have natural antipathy to
cDusins with red hair"
"I don't see the use in explaining. Sup
posing We both keep quiet and let 1t 60 Tor
granted that you are cousin John, what
harm?"
"And then supposing that he, thinking
me cousin John, should insist on our being
married before the genuine John Peters
comes?"
go, it would be delightful! l do so hate
to marry my cousin besides, like you
thousand times better There isn't the least
romance in marrying ones cousin, especial
ly such cousin as John Peters, from Balti-
more"
Here Bella laid her pretty white hand on
Johns arm and said: "But you don't care
for me: Of course you wouldn't like to be
married to please me. ] don't blame you
either, for wouldn't marry my Cousin John
if | could help it"
"On the con trary," cried John, clasping
the little hand warmly, 81 would give the
world for that happy privilege"
Then you must promise me TO keep sun
NJ l.t pa nc fS
wont you."
"Most certainly" answered John "if it
pleases you. I should be brute to object,
shouldn't II"
On his return, and TO his no little delight,
Mr. Mcirs found Bella deeply interested in
Cousin John. Il thought you would come
round" said he "These girls ar, always
pcrverse when their lovers are out Of sight,
but mighty warm hearted and agreeable
when they have once got together. How
belt, fancy there is a slight vein Of dupli-
city IN the best Of them, do"
40, no, papa, you should not be 80 hasty
in your conclusions, for haven't / told you
all along, that Cousin Johns hair was red,
and that INV principal objection was based
upon that fact Bu, you there is slight
mistake somewhere, for his hair (pOinting to
the counterfeit cousin'S) is quite dark and
glossy. | must really confess, papa, that l
ike John very much; reat deal better
than expected do, indeed
Then" said Mr.. VI. exultinc'y, "if |
were in Johns place, would just take the
liberty TO strike while the iron is hot. There
is nothing gained by delays, and week
hence YOU nigh, be as far off the handle, as
you were a week ago"
"Oh no, am not so fickle; but will /
leave the whole. matter with you and John. /
Whatever you and he think proper, will
submit TO must confess ike him great
deal better than | expected"
There, Bella. You talk like a sensible !
girl" cried Mr.. Meirs. 81 knew you would.
Ike your resolution. There is nothing so
rare in this world as a sensible girl at your
time Of life. John is no fop or protiga'e.
He will make yon good husband; will /
look after your interests, and, think, Will
be worthy Of you. As for the wedding, /
John. II shall he left entirely with you to /
say. Bella is willing and can see nothing
to prevent its taking place right away
To say that our hero was perfectly unaf-
fected by these remarks, would be presum
ing too much.
Il think whatever you think proper"
said John. ANY arrangement agreeable
to you, will he equally so to me. have
great respect and affection for Miss Meirs,
and If can be so far forgiven for my pre-
sumption, | can. safely say, that 10 be the
hu band OF your daughter, this moment, or
at any future time would be TO me the
choicest gift &C Heaven TO bestow."
VERY sensible remarks" said Mr.. MeirS,
iovfullv; and as you are obliging enough
to leave the matter to my direction, | shall
say week from Friday, that being the day
on which had first anticipated your coming.
This will give Bella ample time for all ne
cesSary preparations, and you, also, TO ap-
praise your father, and such other fr' nds
from Baltiinore as you propose to invite"
If might be allowed my preference in
this respect" answered our hero, glancing
at Bella for encouragement, II would much
rather not mention it ts my father and
friends till afterwards, and thus give them
an agreeable surprise. In fact before saw
YOU this morning, | had not even dreamed
Of such sudden good fortune
"And besides" interposed Bella, earnest |
", "your father might not feel much like
journeyinc so soon after an attack OF the
gout As T me, would much prefer
quiet wedding. with only few friends pres
ent Besides, would a great deal rather /
give the money away which would he spent
on SuCIl an OCCa>'bl, W Spliic vi wv INO' !
families who are starving in the city
"Nohy spoken,' cried Mr.. Mcirs with
enthusiasm, and glancing at Bella with
world of pride and affection. Nobly spo- !
ken. my daughter With such prudence,
and such charitable feelings, you will make
your cousin John a partner Of wife. l
heartily agree with you in this respect, and
YOU shall have il all your own way"
hn in tr,Ith den
her charms of person, had looked upon
Bella as somewhat frivolous. was equally
charmed by her remark; and, had the oc-
caSon warranted, would have pressed kiss
of appreciation upon her lips.
During the time which had elapsed be-
tween this and the day set for the marriage
of his daughter, Mr. Meirs seemed overflow
ing with good humor and enjoyment. lie
made several presents to the poor Of his ac-
uuaintance, and even gave Bella the sum OF
five hundred dollars to be used, if she chose,
for the same purpose.
In the meantime, our hero was living in
the greatest possible intimacy with Bella
Every day they walked. rode or sung to-
gether, while the merchant looked on and
entered into their plans with increasing sat
isfaction.
At length the long anticipated Friday ar
rived, and few chosen guests were assem-
bled at the residence, to celebrate the nup-
tiais
John Peters had exhausted his last olar
in remunerating the tailor who furnished
him his wedding coat, and by the assistance
Of the barber, who had trimmed his nous
tache, cut and curled his hair after the most
approved style, our hero was as fine look
ing fellow, as could be found anywhere with
in the presence of the city; and MIR. Me,rs
and Bella were not little proud in introdu'
cling him among their arstratic friends. The
pastor who presided over the church with
which Mr.. Meirs was connected, had already
...;,.Aa ..s.-...xa.;ad hxz a clerical acauain.