Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-02-17
yaSits' 9spartmsnt.
TAKING HIM AT HIS woRD

As near as | can remember, it was ff-
teen years ago this last winter, that l at
tended 4 dancing school in Detroit with a
young lady the resident in the city. had
made up my mind some years ago that l
would never get married, but Il was such
a pleasant business Jeouldn't and It in my
heart to let the girls alone, so / paid her
tuition fee, and attended the class in her
company every night. About the middle
Of the term, several young people, ourself
ineluded was talking in the ballroom on
the subject Of mairimony, and ], Of course,
became interested as well as others. On
going home that evening l told my com
panion that | had determined TO get mar
ned in the spring, and asked her advice in
making a selection for a wife. She made
no reply for a moment. and l told her if she
didn't know anybody better fitted for me,
would ike to have her think the matter
over, and tell me by the last of the school
what she thought Of marrying me herself.
Twas joking all the time, yon must under
stand, ne more thought Of marrying her
than | have now of marrying Queen Vic
toria. She promised to think Of it how
ever, and l returned to my clearinghouse,
and gave the subject no further thought
until some weeks later-and as luck would
have il, on the last evening Of the school,
the subject was brought up in the CONVEX
%sation, just as we were preparing to return
to our home for the night. After leaving
the ball, we talked and chatted Of different
subjects till we reached her residence. 1t
was late and / did not enter the house
though she strongly urged to me to do SO.
/ had bid her goodnight and was turning
away, when ] happened to r~ccollect the
promise she had made to me, and / said
" Helen, you promised TO let me know
tonight whether You would marry me this
spring. Have you made up your mind
ayes" said she, q have been thinking
about il, but ] guess | am aiittle too young.
If it wasn't for that | would have no OBJ
lection"
well, goodnight them" said ], al
didn't expect you would do it-but Tn
bound to marry sorne one, and this spring
too"
Before leaving'her, I engaged to call the
following evening. That night l depi
aoundly, and the next morning had for
gotten all about my nights adventure
During the day / received an invitation tt
attend a ball to be heldthat evening, a few
miles out Of the city. and ! made, arrange
xnents accordingly. Towards dusk I re
membered my agreements to see Heller
and | Thought that / would run over a me
ment and afterwards have time to atten
the ball.
Arrived at the house, | met the lady {
the doorway, and ] thought for an instar
that she was Hrigged up" in extra styl
which ! was at loss to account for, thong
] believe l concluded she had compan
and | was therefore in hopes that | shouI
notbe detained long. Helen welcomed n
into the parlor with a sweet smile, 81
took her seatsbeside me on the sofa. Iwi
expecting every moment to see some stra
ger enter the room, and / had not vet b
come satisfied that we were alone, VIII,
she said:
"Henry ! have made up my mind
marry your
Had a thunder-clap struck me, I cou
not have been more surprised and afl
an instant Of hesitation ! stammered out
"Wha did you say ?"
al have concluded to marry you !.
@O-oh You have4 Well, / suppose /
ali right when shall the event ia
place r.
II thought, If It would suit you that V
might drive around next Sunday, and
viii go to mothers at Deaborn and
marriedw
. Well" said L Ell see i'll cam and
soon as possible | took my leave.
didn't go to the ball that night-If
got about it and sat over the stove till nj
ming, hinkingofwhatascrape l had gotn
self into. | even forgot 70 keep the I
going and almost froze in my seat. WI
daylight began to peep in at the windo,
had made up my mind what / would
| would go over and tell Helen that
must be married Immediately, or not at {
and if she agreed to that, | saw no oil
way but submit to my fate.
When ] entered the gate, leading up
her house, | heard her singing q hy
song and my conscience almost smote
for deceiying the girl as l had but l 81
mOned upcourageto ring the bell, and /
ling up nay collar and throwing my h
back, / anxiously awaited an answer to
summons. Shesoen cameto the door
was again shown into the parlor as
fore.
Helen / commenced, ST.
"WeIl; whatsp
Tive must be married to-dal
EI-don't think that l shall be
to be married 1T .allF!'
@WeLs just as You please, Henry /;
may drive round about twelve o'clock
/ will be ready"
gave up l drove up with my
rage and before night we were marrie'
And that wife has been worth $4,000
me!-DettOit advertiser.
Wen meet again in the Mornin