Freeman's champion., 1857-09-10
How Harry Got Rip Wife.


Ie was fifteen years ago this win.
ter. thatI attended dancing school
in Detroit, with young lady thon
residing in this city, / had made up
my mind some years before that I
would not get married but it was
such pleasant business l couldn't find
itin my heart to ''let the girls alone"
altogether, SO paid my tuition fee,
and we attended the class in company
every night,
About the middle of the term sew
eral Of the young people, ourselves
included, were talking in the ball
room on the subject of matrimony,
and |, of course, became interested
as we'll as the others. On going
home that evening told my COM
panion that l had determined to get
married in the Spring, and asked her
advice in regard to the selection Of
a wife. She made no reply for a
moment, and I told her if she didn't
know of anybody better fitted for me,
[ would like to have her think tho
matter over, and tell me what she
thought of marrying me, herself,
Twas sjolang all this time you must
understand, and had no more thougtS
of marrying her than I had Of
marrying Queen Vie. She prom
ised to think of it, however, and !
returned to my boarding house, and
gave the subject no further thought
until some weeks after--and as I
would have, on the last evening of
the school the subject was brought
up again in conversation, just as we
were preparing to return to our homes
for the night. After leaving the hall
we talked and chatted on different
subjects till we reached her residence.
1t was late and / did not enter the
house, though she strongly urged me
to do so, Ihad bid her good night,
andwas turning away, when / recol-
lected the promise she had mado me,
and said
"Helen, you promised to let me
know tonight, whether you would
marry me this spring. Have you
made nm vour mind 2"
eyes," she said, "I have been
thinking about it, but / guess I am q
little too young, If it wasn't for
that, would have no objection"
"Well, good night, them" said I.
"I didn't expect you would do it
but I'm bound to marry some one,
this spring, too"
Before leaving her, engaged TO
call again the following evening
That night I slept soundly, and the
next moning had forgotten all about
my nights adventures. During the
day l received an invitation to attend
ball to be held that evening, q few
miles out Of the city, and made my
arrangements accordinly.
Towards dusk I remembered my
agreement to meet Helen, and tho't
would run over for mo mcnt, and
afterwards have time to attend the
ball.
Arrived at the house, met the lady
in the doorway, and I thought for a
moment that she was rugged up in an
extra style, which / was at q loss to
account for, though believe con-
cluded that sho had company, and
was therefore in hopes that should
not be detained long. Helen well
coined me into tho parlor with a
sweet smile, and took her place be-
side me on the sofa. / was expecting
every moment to sec some stranger
enter tho room, and had not yet
become satisfied that we were alone,
when she said
Henry, I've made up my MIND
to have YOU"
Had q thunder-clap struck me, l
could not have been more surprised,
and after nm instant Of hesitation I
atammercd out, z
'"What did you sayy"
Il have concluded to marry youP'
"o-oh, you have Well, | sup
poso It's all right---when shall the
event take place ?"
IL thought, IL it would suit you
that we might drive round next Sun.
day, and wo will go to mothers, al
Dearborn, and be married there"
,"Woll,o p said J. '"l'll soc If ] oan,' =
and as soon as possible took my leave
'VI didn't 80 to tho ball that nigh
Il forgot oil abont II, and ! SGT over
the stove till morRing, thinking Of
what a scrspo | was IN ! even for