The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1858-02-17
WHOLE NO. II.

WHULE NV. IL.
most novel scene. A more motley incongru
| Gus lot Of vehicles, it were not easy to imagine
Such life and hilaritv are always infectious, and
Ernest soon caught the 81 irit. He too, would
join the sleighers hut how 7
He inquired at several stables for 4 sleigh
Not one to be had. But he was not easily
daunted, and moreover, had an unusual share
| Of perseverance,. He owned one OF the finest
horses in the city, of that he was sure. He
remembered too, that in a remote part Of the
stable. where he had usually kept him, he had
one day noticed o Iair Of wooden runners. He
would sec If in some way, conveyance could
| not be planned. He soon reached the stable
The runners were found and in good order.
But now for the other part. A hogshead that
had for some reason or other. been sawed apart
and nicely cleaned, stood before him. Instant.
ly, half Of it was fastened on the runners. In
few minutes, a comfortable seat was added,
ard he was ready for dive.
Rut now aros, another difficulty. unthought
Of before. He must have compa anion-a lady
| of course. c:sc hllf the enjoyment would be
lost. Fut who would it BET Who would be
seen with him in such a conveyance rs that ?
There were two or three young ladies who
long claimed his special regard, and he felt
sure he was not entirely Indifferent to them
He had even been observing them of late striv-
ing to learn the true character of each. This
he found, as gentlemen and ladies usually meet
in city life difficult matter. He was rather
old fashioned in his notions it must be CONFESS
ed : bat he did care more for the real than the
artifcial-morc for the mind and heart than for
the outer adorning.
Ella Campbell had long been one of the first
in his esteem, but recently he had thought her
vain and superficial, caring more for the outer
than the inner man, and had been cautious in
his attentions to her. He would test her now.
Driving brskly to the door. and hitching his
horse. he rang the bell A servant at once
ushered him into the pa'lor, where sat the lady
of his thoughts. She greeted him warmly, bat
on hearing the object Of his visit and seeing
the unique conveyance he brought. she plead
ed previous engagement and at once excused
herself
Ernest Hammond was gifted with good
share of penetration, and when not previously
linded, read character we'll. Now instructive.
~ feeling how it was. he politely withdrew
Ard while he rode gaily away, Ella Campbell
sat routing in her room, unthought Of and un.
cared for BY the moving mass without
Ernests next visit was to the house of Squire
Reed. Here he had been frequent and well
G 'me visitor, ard was quite like one Of the
family. as the Squire often said, looking know
ingly a. the two girls, Charlotte and Bella
Charlotte was the elder and handsomer of the
two and beauty is always attractive, especially
" ith the men. She was the favorite, too. In
society. But at times Ernest had turned from
her to the gentle. graceful Bella, almost with
feeling of love.
As he ncarcd the door. he said within him.
self, as one will in case of doubt,-A look or
a word shall decide between them. If one or
that all is over. But if one accepts, who then
knows what may come of it ] am twenty.
eight now old enough as my partner told me
Yesterday, to be married and have q home of
my own. and 80 am. We sh III scc.'
"Gocd morning, ladies' he exclaimed, as
he entered their presence. "Inust have dive
this morning, yet nave been unable to obtain
any convey ance save the one you saw az
drove up. What shall do and he looked to
Charlotte for an answer.
"Su-ely you do not think lady would be
seen in such conveyance" with a slight toss
of her head.
Bella looked up. while painful blush suffus.
ed her check. She was sorry for her sister had
She felt sure she could rot have denied him
that whatever he could ask would not b. i'm.
pro; er or wrong. How, then, could her sister
speak thus ?
Charlotte noticed the expression and half
read its meaning. She did not like the reproof
conveyed, and turning to her said, somewhat
scornfully:
perhaps my sister will 60 with you. Will
you Bella?
For a moment the blood rushed over her
brow and neck, the next reccded. and she ar
swe ed eaily, "And why not should like it
Of all things" said the enthusiastic girl, forget
ting the emotion of the moment before.
''BGt remember how we arc to 60, continued
Ernest quickly.
"And what of that" cried the delighted girl,
as she ran up stairs. In q moment she was
ready, and gaily bidding her sister goodbye,
she was soon seated beside Ernest, and they
drove rapidly away.
Ch ,rlotte half repented her momentary pride.
But it was too late now so, taking book in
her hand. she prepared to spend the morning
alone. In the meantime, Ernest and Bella had
joined in the motley throng now moving 50
rapidly through the city.
Time passed rapidly away, and as they sped
mcrrily along, Ernest felt his heart warm more
and more towards the pure and artless girl by
known her well, and she seemed the same
Ingenious, truthful. and good. He wondered
how, even for moment, he had ever thought
Of another; for she seemed to him then all his
heart could ever wish or desire. But could she
ever be his or was she destined for another I
The thought made him desperate. He could
not endure it for mnment. The qu' s:ion-
must be decided ut once. and with him to re
solve was to ac..
That night all was arranged. Squire Reed
and his wife giving full and free consent and
in just six weeks from that time, Bella Reed
became Mrs. Ernest Hammond.