M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1858-07-01

couldhelpit."
"Oh the contrary" cried John,
claspihg the little land warmly. 81
would give the world for that happy
privilege" '
"Phen you must keep still and let
the matter rest as it is. You will DO
it, won't youl" l.
"Most certainly" answered John,
if it please you"
On his return, and to his no little
delight, Mr.. Meirs found Bella deep
ly f3teHested in cousin John. 81
Thought that you would comero1nd, -
said he. "Thoso girls arc always
perverse when their lovers arc out of
sight, but mighty warm.hcatted and
agreeable when they have got togeth-
er. Howbeit | fancy there is q slight
vein of duplicity in the best of them,
| do"
ooh, no, papa, you should not be so
hastY in your conclusions, for haven't
| told you all along that cousin Johns
hair was red, and that my principal
objection was based upon the fact
But You see there is a slight mistake
somewhere, for his hair pointing to
the counterfeit cousin's) is quite dark
and glossy. | must really confess,
papa, that like John very much; q
great deal moro than l expected. |
do, indeed"
"Thcn," said Mr.. Moirs cxultingly,
''if I wero in Johns place, | would
just take the liberty to strike while
the iron is hot. There is nothing
gained by delays, and a week hence
you might be as far off the handle as
you were q week ago"
"Oh, no, | am not tickle, but | will
leave the whole matter with you and
John"
"There, Bella, you talk like a SEN
sible girl" cried Mr.. Meirs, 81 knew
you would. | like your resolution. =
There is nothing so rare in the world
as a sensible girl at your time Of life.
John is no fop or prohigatc. He will
make you a good husband; will look
after your interest, and think viii be
worthy Of you. AS for the wedding,
John, it shall be left entirely to You.
Bella is willing, and | can sec moth.
ing topreVent its taking place right
away" .
81 think whatever You think prop
er," said John. AIRY arrangement
to you will bo equally so to
me. l have q great respect and aficc-
tion for Miss Meirs, and l can safely
say, that to be the husband of your
daughter this moment or at any future
time, would be to me the choicest
gift OF heaven"
"Very sensible remarks, I" SAYS Mr..
M. joyfully, "and as you are obliging
enough to leave the matter to my di-
rection, l shall say a week from Fri
lay, that being the day on which |
had anticipated your coming. This
will give Bella ample time for all nee
ossary preparations, and you, also, to
apprise your father and such other
friends from B., as you are disposed to
invite" a..
"If | might be allowed the prefer
once in this respect" answered our
hero, glancing at Bella for encourage
ment, ''I would much rather not men.
ton it to my father and friends till
afterwards, and thus give them an
agreeable surprise. in fact, before |
saw herthis morning had not even
dreamed of such sudden good fortune
Sand beside" intorposed Bella
earnestly, "your father might not like
iourneying so soon after an attack of
gout. AS for me, would much pre-
fer a quiet wedding, with only few
friends present. Besides, would a
great deal rather give the money
away, which would be spent on such
an occasion, to some of the poor fam
lies who are starving in this city"
"Nobly spoken" cried Mr.. Meirs,
with enthusiasm, and glancing at Bell
with look of pride and Affection
"Nobly spoken, my daughter. With
such prudence and charitable feelings
you will make your cousin John a
pattern of wife. | heartily agree
with you in this respect, and you shall
have it all your own way"
During the time which elapsed be-
tween this and the day set apart for
the marriage of his daughter, Mr..
MeirS seemed overfowing with good
humor and enjoyment. He made
several presents to the poor of his ac-
quaintance, and even gave Bella the
sum of five hundred dollars to be
used, if she chose, for the same pur-
pose.
In the meantime our hero was liv-
ing in the greatest kind of intimacy
with Bella. Every day they rode or
sung together, while the merchant
looked on and entered into their plans
with increasing satisfaction. -a
At length the long anticipated FRI
doy orr;vad ond n fnu, chosen Ouesfa