Volcano weekly ledger., 1857-01-24

living son, The father and mother had finally
sanctioned the union, yet they would not con-
sent to fixing any early day for the wedding;
and thus the matter rested.
For two months the village gossip had run
almost entirely on mystery, not yet unrav-
elled. A lone iutist, an excellent performer,
had given frequent serenades to the bellies of
the town and vicinity, and Notwithstanding
many watches had been kept, yet he had not
been seen so as to be recognized. Who was
he, and how did he manage to keep his con-
cealment? More than half of the romantic
girls were already in love with the incognito
This of course vexed the young men, and
they longed for vengeance on the invisible
one.
DR.. Barnsley was not troubled with jeal-
ousy, yet he entered into the general feeling
with the other young men and had fixed up
on the before described plan to overthrow
the musical enchanter His friend easily
prevailed upon Miss Lawrence to lend them
her aid, and that night she was afforded an
opportunity to cast her deceptive note at the
feet of the musician, and soon after received
the answering signal
The next day the success Of the scheme so
far, was communicated to the Doctor, and he
Immediately set himself about the prepara-
tions for the denenement A negro boy was
selected aud put under guard and training to
be the lady of the OCCASION and those who
were to be present and assist in the egg ar
rangements were notified of the place of rem
devious, and then the Doctor mounted his
horse and rode over to Squire Jennings to
get young Jennings to join them, but he was
not at home so word was left for him to call
at the Doctors Office that day as soon as he
could.
Everything favored the mischevious pro-
ject. All, save Jennings who had not come,
were at their hiding places at the proper
time, and the disguised darkey was beneath
the elm, well schooled for his part They are
all waiting with breathless impatience for the
arrival of the stranger. Hark! noise is
heard at the fence-he comes Lightly he
treads as he approaches the trysting tree, and
seeing his supposed inamorata awaiting him,
he seized her gloved hand, and carried it to
his lips as he sunk upon bis knee This was
] l.. @,,, = L.
negro, and his loud haw, haw, reverbrated
through the garden, as he rolled on the
ground in the excess of his laughter. Here
followed shower of eggs, but the stranger
made no effort to escape; he seemed rooted
to the spot The assailants rushed on him
to discover his identity, and the Doctor was
the first to lay hands on him. Imagine
Barnsley's horror at discovering the inconitO
to be no other than young Jennings, the
brother of his intended! The Doctor was
stupifed with amazement, and unprepared to
resist an attack, when Jennings with all the
swiftness and ferocty of the tiger, sprung
upon him; but before he could inflict much
personal injury they were separated
Jennings would listen to no explanation
He had been wounded in the most sensitive
point; that is, made the subject of ridicule,
and that by his most intimate friend.
The next day, the Doctor received a chal
enge from Jennings, and almost at the same
moment, a message from Miss Lorain, to
meet her instantly at the house of friend
in the village. Informing the gentleman who
bore the hostile note that he would in one
hour refer him to friend, he hastcned to
comply with the lady's request. Miss Jen
nings had been informed of the entire occur
renee, the challenge and all, as the affair hao
spread throughout the entire neighborhood
She had not-could not believe her lover in
tended an insnt to her brother. She scarce
" blamed either of them for the part they
had played, although she thought her broth
er ought to have let his friend into the secret
af his serenades- that the Doctor acteC
too boysh in the ambush; so she determined
that no duel should be the result of the un
fortunate affair. The meeting of the lovers
was sorrowiul and tender. Lorain in touch
ing language portrayed her own situation
the certainty of her despair if her lover wa'
killed by her own brother, and the impossi
bility of her ever wedding with one whose
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