The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-07-08
NJ IT c H MAKING,

MATCH MAKING.
Early in a beautiful morning in the lovely
month of June, the pretty little village of Alder
field was all astir, two or three gigs and other
vehicles we're already drawn from their respect.
I've repositories, and preparing for service,
and now and then fair face peeped from an
upper window, and was almost instantly with.
drawn, irradisted with smile of pleasure at
the favorable appearance of the weather. Well
might peaceful little Alderfeld be awake aud
alive, for this was the appointed day for Mrs.
WeatherhilPs picnic party, which had formed
the theme OF the village gossip and Conjecture
for the last ten days at least. To be sure only
select few of the villagers were invited, but
those who were out were naturally anxious 10
know who were IN, and those who were not
going had risen thus lsudably early to watch
the movements Of these who were.
Mrs. Weatherhill, the promoter of the present
festivity, was generally considered by herself
and others as the principal parsonage in Alder.
held, inasmuch as she possessed an independent
property, and decidedly took the lead in socie.
tY on all occasions. Her house was the largest.
Der dress the most fashionable, and her baroncbe
the only one in the village. She had no chill.
dren, and was not in tAe least impeded in the
exercise of her will by little, fat, equity husband.
who seldom spoke at all, and when he atempt
ed to do so, was talked down at once by hi,
lady. His own fortune was small; she had
inherited o large one at an early age; and
why she had married Mr.. Weatherhill. nobody
could surmise, unless it was to show her entire
independence of opinion, and her perfect free
dom of will.
She was stout but very comely dame Of
forty five or Whereabouts, with a pleasant voice
and smile, merry laugh, ar d a manner pecu.
liarly attractive from its warmth aud hesrtiness.
sometimes not aver judicious in their characte-.
"What did the girls 60 from home for, but I.
enjoy themselves" she would often remark,
as if home we're a place destitute of enjoyments,
instead of forming the centre of the very best
and puIest pleasures. So, when she had young
friends staying with her, which was very fire.
quenty the case, she took good care that they
should never close days" for she would have
considered twenty hours respite from the pur-
suit Of pleasure as so much lost time. What
with parties at home and abroad, by land and
by water, drives to the country town, and visits
to every exhibition that might happen to be
stationed there, she contrived to keep her guests
in very undesirable state of excitement FROM
their arrival to their departure. Al the time
my story begins, she had two very pretty girls
for her inmates, and it was principally on their
account that she had planned a party to Istou
Abbey, fine old ruin some seven or eight miles
from Alderield. A very wet season had mar
red several previous projects of the kind, there
fore Mrs. Weatherhill and her invited guests
looked forward with no little anxiety to the
day. and watched the barometer with intense
interest. Great was the JOY of all concerned,
when a cloudless morning gave promise OF
some hours of equally cloudless enoymen;,
and all prepared with alacrity to set forth. Mrs.
Weatherhill had private reasons, also. for wish
ing her plan to prosper. She considered this
party of much greater importance than as a mere
matter OF amJsemeut, and had anxieties and
hopes on The subject, as yet only known To
herself. she unfortunately delighted in that
mischevous and unwarrantabe interference in
the affairs Of others, called ch-naking, aud
she hoped on this occasion to lay the founda
tons Of two marriages, at least. Two gentle
men, whom she asked 10 join her party seemed
to her precisely suited to her young guests, who
were neither of them, as far as she knew. pre-
engaged end so far from suspecting that there
was anything improper in her designs, she gave
herself great credit for plannins two such
| eligible unions. She was sure Arthur Bonning
ton must want a wife. He must be dreadfully
lonely in his rumbling old house, with nothing
but his books to amuse him, and, with his large
fortune, it was burning shame that be dill
| no. marry. Could any woman be found more
| sure to suit him than Lucy Austin, who wa
| as quiet and almost as fond Of books as him.
self, very pretty, well born and bred? Auc
| supposiug she had no fortune, what could tina
signify to a man so wealthy as Mr.. B )nnins
ton2 Mary CRANKY, her other proteee, was &.
very ff-rent girl from Lacy; but she woul .
therefore be more likely to please the fancy
| young Scarborough. the surgeon. newly settle
in y, (the county town. who, as Mrs.
Weatherhill said to herself, must marry some
body at any rate, if he meant to get into re-
spectacle practice. Mary was handsome
shrewd. snowy girl, active and cheerful, and
we'll able to take prominent place in socie
ty-no small merit in the wife Of a medical
man aiming at popularity. Moreover, she had
or rather was to have, a thousand pounds, the
legacy of her godmother, but at present in heI
fathers hands; Re having been executor tC
the old lady 10 question. Mrs. Westherhill
who, no one knew how, had q very intimate
knowledge of the private affairs of all her &C
auaintan ces, was aware that Mr.. Scarborough
had also some property Independent of his pro
fession and the match seemed in every wa,
50 equal, that she thought it would be an act
ual sin not to try to bring it about Anxious
ly, therefore, did the " foundress of the feast
anticipate her picnic to Iiston.
Nine o'clock, the appointed hour of assem-
bling, had arrived, and Mrs. Weatherhilrs bs
rouche was at the door, and Mr.. Weatherhi
safely bestowed in one corner of i. Then tb
young ladies took their places, and Mrs. Wealth
erhill followed, having first seen divers vel
stocked baskets and hampers, asd suniry cloak
and umbrellas, packed into light cart, whic
was to attend them to the abbey. Then cam
a family jaunting car, with its family load
father, mother, aud three or four grown-u
daughters; then Dr.. Derwent's gig, bearing tn
{ worthy rector and his lady; and, lastly, Nj
Sauderson, the attorneys, vehicle, occupied b
its owner, sturdy old bachelor, accompsnie
by his maiden sister. Thus the processio
: moved off, but did not BY any means include th