The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1859-12-17

like you, and am not little pleased with
the adventure, because we can both laugh
together over fathers mistake, and the ab.
sent John Peters red hairs"
''But must explain the matter immedi.
ately, though l confess dislike the idea
Of giving you up to the absent John Pe'
ters," answered our hero, with the same
winning smile; especially as you have
natural antipathy. to cousins with red
hairs"
81 don't see the use of explaining. Snp-
posing we both keep quiet, and let it 60 for
granted that you are cousin John-wha'
harm?'
"And then supposing that he, thinking
me cousin John, should insist on your being
married before the genuine John Peters
| comes :"
s'Oh, it would be delightful do SO
hate to marry my cousin besides, like
YOU a thousand times better. There isn't
the least romance in marrying ones cousin
especially such a cousin, as John Peters
of Baltimore"
Here Bella laid her pretty white hand on
Johns arm and said, "But you don't care
for me; of course you wouldn't like to be
married to please me. 1 don't blame you
either, for wouldn't marry my cousin John
if could help it,"
son the contrary" cried John, clasping
the little hand warmly, 81 would give the
world for that happy privilege" .
"Then you must promise mo to keep still
and let the matter rest as it is. You will,
won't you 20
Most certainly," answered John, "if it
thus peases you. | should be a brute to
object, shouldn't II"
On his return, to his no little delight, Mr..
Meirs found Bella deeply interested IN cous-
in John.
81 thought YOU would come round" said
he. "These girls are always perverse when
their lovers are out of sight, but mighty
warm hearted and agreeable when they have
once got together. Howbeit, fancy there
is slight vein Of duplicity in the best of
them, do
so, no, papa. you shouldn't be so hasty
in your conclusion, for haven't told YOU
all along that cousin Johns hair was red,
and that my principal objection was based
upon that fact. But you see there is a slight
mistake somewhere, for his hair (pointng
! to the counterfeit; cousin's) is quito dark
and GLOSSY. | most readily confess, papa.
that like John very much-a grent dcu.
better than | expected. do, indeed !"
"lhen," said Mr.. Meirs exuItn-Iy, " if
were in Johns place would just take the
liberty to strike while the iron is hot
There is nothing gained l'v delays, ard hence
YOU might be rs far Cii the handle as you
We're a week ago"
80, no, AN not GctIc; hu; | will leave
the whole matter with YOU and john
Whatever he and you think proper, will
submit to must confess like HIM a great
deal better than expccted.'
"lherc, Bella, you talk IKE n sensible
girl,' cried Mr.. M.crs, II anew you would.
| like your resolution. There is nothing so
rare in this world as Il sensible girl a. your
time of life. John is no f0p or protiIgate.
He will maxi you good husband-wI!!
look after your interest, and think will be
worthy Of YOU. As for the welding, John,
it shall be left entirely with YOU to say
Bella is willing and can see nothing to pre-
vent it taking place right away
10 say that our hero was peri, city unaf-
fected by these remarks, would be ET"sum
ing too much.
II think whatever you think proper
said John. "Any arrangement agreeable
to YOU Will be equally SO to Inc. | have
graf respect and affection for Miss Mcirs,
and if can be SO far forgiven for my pre-
sumption, can safely say that to be the
husband Of your daughter. at this moment
Or at any future time, would be to me the
choicest y,ft of heaven to br,tow."
"Very sensible rcmark,' said Mr.. Meirs,
joyfuiiy, sand rs yon are ObiiginE enough
70 leave the matter to my direction, | shall
say week from Friday, that beng the day
on which had anticipated YOUR cOmnng.-
Thi. VIII Gtve Bella ample time for al! nee
essary preparations, and YOU. also 10 ap-
prise Your father and such other friends
from Baltimore rs You propose to invite.
''IC might lie allowed my preference in
this respect: answered our hero. glancing
ut Bella for encouragement. would much
rather not mention it nv father and friends
TIL afterwards, ana thus give them an agree
able surprise. In fact before saw You
this morning. | had not even dreaming Of
such sudden good furtune.'
"And, besIdes,' lntprposcd Bella, earn
estly, 'your father might not feel much Ike
jOurnrSIug so soon after an attack OF the
gout. Is for me would great deal ra-
ther give tie money away that would be
spcn. on such an occasion to some Of the
poor families who are starving in Tins city"
"Noblv spoken ~ cried Mr.. Mler> with
enthusiasm. and glnncing ut Bella with n
look Of pride and affect on: ''wIth such pru-
dencc and such charitable feelings, yon will
max" your cousin John y pattern Of Il wife.
heartily agree with YOU in this respect, and
you shall have it all your own way"
Our hero. who in truth, independent of
| h.. In 4 l,g, 4 u,
what frivolous, was ennalv charmed bv her
remark and had the Occasion warranted,
would have pressed a kiss of appreciation
upon her lips.
During the time which had elapsed be
tween this and the day set for the marriage
of his daughter, Mr.. Meirs seemed overflow
ed with good humor and enjoyment. lie
made several presents to the poor of his
acquaintance, and even gave Bella the sum
of five hundred dollars to be used if she
chose for the same purpose.
In the meantime, our hero was living in
the greatest possible intimacy with BrIia.-
Every dnv they walked. rode, and sung to-
gether while the merchant looked on, and
entered into their plans with interesting sat
;@faction.
At ie2gth the long anticipated Friday ar
rived, and few choSed guests assembled at
the residence Of Mr.. Melrs, to witness tn"
nuptials.
John Peters had exhausted lis last dollar
IN remuncrating the tailor who had i"rn1sh-
ed him his wedding coat, and hy tn" assIs.
tancc Of the barber who had trimmed his
moustache, cut and cur!ed hi. hair after the
most approved style, our hero was really as
fine looking fellow as could b. found any.
where within the precincts of the city, and
Mr.. Miers and Bella were not little proud
Of introducing him among their aristocratle
friends. The pastor who prA'lded over the
church with which Mr.. Meirs was connected
had already arrived. accompanied by cleri-
cal acquaIntancewhlle Bella attircd in dress
Of white satin, with a veil surmountcd by Il
crown of flowers, had just entered, resting
on the arm of the bridesmaid. During the
sensation created by the entrance of the
bride. another door opened, and yonns
man some FIVE feet four inches in h"i ght,
with dusty garments and very red hair was
pushed in by the servant, and with much
Arrangement depicted on his freckled, unpre-
possessing features, sank down in the near.
! est chair, without attracting any partlcula,
observation at the time from the rest Of the