The prairie news. [volume] (Okolona, Miss.) 1851-1875, 1858-07-15

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asked him why he had visited her so long,
and for what object. He was confused at
first, but finally told her he had loved her
ardently for years, and believed he wan
ted to marry her, but could not exactly
find out whether he ought to marry at all
or not. A few more words opened up
the way, and-to make it short-they
became engaged and fixed the wedding
day. 1t was hardly necessary for him to
ask her parents consent, but he did so
by letter, and obtained it very readily
The day arrived and every prepara-
tion that ingenuity could suggest and
wealth provide was made. The whole
neighborhood, and the relations of both
parties within convenient distance were
invited. Everything was propitious for
the happy consummation of marriage
talked of by gossips and long wished for
by prudent parents. The parties, with a
train of grOomsmen and bridesmaids, at
the proper time made their appearance
before the minister, and brilliant throng
of anxious witnesses. After the usual
preliminaries, the minister came to the
catechetcal part of the ceremony, and
inquired if John was willing to take Ma.
ry to be his lawful wife, forsaking all 9th.
ers, &c. After brief pause, John very
quietly replied that he "believed he had
rather not !" Confusion, surprise, indig-
nation and wrath il-disguised were the
effects of this most extraordinary an
swer What followed can be better i'm
agined than described That answer
spoiled the happiness of The evening, and
became the cause of serious threats by
relatives and friends of Mary against
John. He did not seem very much con-
cerned about it, and to bis equitable tenn
per and taciturnity was his personal safe
ty owing, as he did not further provoke
them. Not long after he repaired to Mo-
bile and was quite successful. After the
lapse of year or two he became very
pentent at the course he had pursued in
1publicly discarding Mary, instead of
breaking off the engagement before the
preparations We're made, as an honorable
gentleman shoudhave done. He thought,
too, of the ininry he had publicly inhic-
ted upon her character by an act the mo-
tive for which might not be understood.
He almost cursed himself for his con-
ductwhen he imagined the bitter draughts
such an answer would have been to him,
had she offered it to his lips. In the
state of penitence he wrote her long
letter of apology, offering to repair the
injury as far as was in his power--to give
her all his estate and make himself poor,
if she would only forgive the wrong
She replied that his money was nothing
to her, that all the gold in the world
could not satisfy her, and that there was
but one thing could reconcile her--not to
marry him-never-but to treat him in
the same manner. He gladly accepted
the condition, and soon was in cOrrespon-
dence with her in settling the prelimina-
ries. The high character of both fami-
lies forbid any indulgence of scandal by
any gossips however vile. Her parents
knowing his pecularities, in time became
somewhat appeased, especially when they
had cooled down enough to remember
that he had never harmed any one will
fully, was regarded by all as model
man SO it was not difficult for Mary to
persuade them to agree to the arrange
ment, particularly when they thought of
the sweetness Of the revenge 1t would
occasion to their friends. But the mat
ter was kept from all but few secret
friends.
The day was fixed for the marriage
Extensive preparations were made as be-
fore, and large crowd assembled. A
like number of walters were in atten-
dance The same minister of1iciated.-
After going through the preliminaries as
before he asks John the same questions,
which he answers like true man. Now
came the like questions to her. John
felt rather badly to think he would be
made the subject of ridicule when he was
"served right" "got what he deserv-
1 ed" and similar charitable expressions,
which he expected would naturally fall
from the crowd at his expense, But he
bore himself as firmly as he could
"Mary," said the minister, do you take
this man you hold by your right hand to
be your lawful husband, to love, honor
aud obey him, comforting him in sickness
and health, forsaking all others snd cleav-
ing only unto him SO long as you both
| livel"
III will?" was the modest reply Of
Mary, a
The scene that followed may be mag
ined but cannot be described. The old
folks were pleased when they saw John
smile and tell Mary it was all right -
!, Everybody else was pleased, and John
and Mary loved and lived long together,
and as happily as any two mortals could
d wish. Mary had her revenge.
i ey'This line is in its place. '@