Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-06-18
as John Peters of Baltimore. "

Here Bella laid her pretty white hanC
on Johns arm and said: ''But you don 7
care for me; of course you wouldn't
like to be married to please me.
don't blame you, either, for 1 wouldn't
marry my cousin John if [ could heir
it." S.. ....
"On the contrary" cried John, clasp.
ing the little hand warmly, Il would
give the world for that happy privil-
ege."
"Thcn you must promise me to keep
still and let the matter rest as it is
You will, won't you?" - -.. --..s.
''Most certainly" answered John
''if it pleascs you. I should be a brute
to object, shouldn't I?'
On his return, and to his no little de-
light, Mr.. Mcirs found Bella deeply in
| tcrcstcd in cousin John. II thought
you would come around" said he
''Thcse girls are always pervcrse when
their lovers are out of sight, but mi gh-
ty warm-hearted and agreeable when
they have once got together. Howbeit,
[ fancy there is slight vein of duplic
ity in the best of them, L do
80, no papa, you should not be SO
hasty in your conclusions, for haven't
L told you all along, thatcousin Johns
hair was red, and that my principal OBJ
lection was based upon that fact. But
you sec there is slight mistake some
where, for his hair (pointing to the
counterfeit cousins is quite dark and
glossy. 1 must really confess, papa,
that like John very much; great
deal better than expected. do in
dccd!,' '.Thcn," said Mr.. Mcirs, ex-
ultingly, ''if I were in Johns place, |
would strike while the iron was hot
There is nothing gained by delays, and
week hence you might be far off the
handle, as you were week ago .-
30 no, l am not so tickle; but 1 will
leave the whole matter with you and
John. Whatever you and he think
proper, | will submit to. l must con-
fcss 1 like him great deal better than
[ expected .-.... ... -.r,..., .....
'.Thcrc, Bella, you talk like a scnsi-
bic girl" cried Mr.. Mcirs. II know
you would. I like your resolution
There is nothing. so rare in the world
as a sensible girl at your time of life.
John is no prohigatc. lie will make
you good husband; will 1ooA--after
your Interests, and, think, viii be
worthy of on. AS, for the wedding,
John, it shall be left entirely with you
to say. Bella is willing, and [ sec no.
thing to prevent its taking place right
away haul. -..
To say that our hero was perfectly
unaffected by these remarks, would be
presuming too much.
Il think whatever you think proper"
said John. ANY arrangement agrcea-
bic to you, will be equally so to ma. l
have great respect and affection for
Miss Mcirs, and if can be so far for
given for my presumption, | can safely
say, that to be the husband of your
daughter, this moment, or at any future
time, would be to me the choicest gift
Of Heaven to bcstow." .r. +. ..,...
'Vory sensible remarks" said Mr..
Meirs joyfully; "and as you are oblig-
ing enough to leave the matter to my
direction, 1 shall say Il week from Fri
day, that being the day on which 1 had
first anticipated your coming. This
will give Bella ample time for all ne
cessary preparations, and you also to
| JOul oIICl
friends from Baltimore, as you propose
to invite Hair'.-': "aF a' E"-.
:. g IF L might be allowed my preference
in this respect" answered our hero,
glancing for encouragement, g [ would
much rather not mention it to my
father and friends until 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 interposcd Bella
earnestly, "your father might not feel
much like journcying so soon after an
attack Of gout. As Inc, [ would much
prefer quiet wedding, with only a few
friends present. Besides, I would a
great deal rather give the money away
which would be spent on such an occa-
sion, to some of the poor families who
arc starving in this city ..,s ra~..
i "Nobly spoken p cried Mr.. Meirs
with enthusiasm, glancing at Bella will
world of pride and affection. 20 Nobly
spoken, my daughter. With such pru.
dcnce and such charitable feelings, you
will make your Cousin John a pattern
of wife. L heartily agree with you il
this respect, and you shall have it al
your own way" -# g.. 'aE --.sj
i Our hero, who in truth, independcn
of her charms of person, had looked
upon Belle as somewhat frivolous, wa
equally charmed by her. remark; and
had the occasion warranted, would have
!, pressed a kiss of appreciation upon hcl
lips.
During the time which elapsed be
tween this and the day set for the mar
riage of his daughter, Mr.. Mcirs seemed
ovcrfowing with good humor and enjoy
: mept. He made several presents to tho
poor Of his acquaintance, and even CAV,
! Bella the sum of five hundred dollars t,
be used, if she chose, for the same pur
: pose. ... .## ..
1 In the meantime, our hero was liyiny
c in the greatest possible intimacy witt
Bella. Every day they walked, rode o
0 sung together, while the mcrchan
e looked ON, and entered into their plan
c with increasing satisfaction.
2 At length the long anticipated Frida
Il arrived, and Il few chosen guests wer