The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-05-04
the ono bitter sorrow Of my life.

Twelve years before, upon that very day,
nv marriage was to have taken place, But
before the time came, we had quarrelled, and
when the sun arose upon our wedding-day
Philip Allen was across tho sea, y sad and
solitary wanderer. As lre-read those letters
-relics Of my love-dream-how vividly did
every circumstance connected with it come
up before me How well I recollect oui
qurrel, which my ownwilfalness had caused
and Philips sad, reproachfal face, when
turned from him with the angry exclama'
ton: - -5 :,
Go, If you wish it--itis best--for We shall
never agree; VIC had better never meet
again.
And VIC had never met again. My words
bitterly repented of as soon as spoken, and
repented Of every day and hour since thai
time, had been literally adhered to. PhiliI
was in distant land, and / was an old maid
of thirty.fve. My musings were here inter
ruptcd by the most Outrageous noise down
stairs. l began seriously % think that my
uncle was knocking awaya portion OF hi'
house by the hammering that heard. The
most uproarous shouts of laughter likewise
floated up from the regions below.
Il really believe everybody here is crazy to.
day. thought ], Us I commenced my toilet
for dinner.
TO please John, put on the very gayes,
dress possessed; for, however much might
grumble about the boys, l knew, and they
knew, that would do anything to please
them.
Very well-very well, indeed. You'll do
Emily said John, as he took critical survey
of my dress through his eyc-glass.
At dinner. time there were the same myste-
rious mods and glances that had noticed al
breakfast, and everybody seemed unusually
excited. In the afternoon John prepared tc
drive me out in his new buggy, to sec tht
country in its October dress.
More likely to make acquaintance with
Mother Earth rctorted /; 'for really, John
you are so excited, you we'll not be able tc
manage that spirited horse of yours
But John protested that he was never
calmer in his life, and, as proof Of hi
placidty, performed some of the most ridicu
lous man@uvers, without, however convinc
ing me at all
Better go, Cousin Emily said Harry, I'll
may be your last chance. l don't expect
you II look at mo after to-day
In my heart of hearts determined both tc
look at tho gentleman, and to talk to him in
a way that he should not soon forget. But
this matter was put off till another day, fol
there stood John waiting impatiently for me
Now, as really had no fear whatever OF
Johns driving, ! decided to go, little guess.
ing the vexations should undergo before
reached home.
Now thought I, as seated myself in
the buggy, 'now will find out the meaning
of oil this mystery. 1t will be impossible 10,
John to keep tho secret from. me-
Has anything unusual r. lpcned to-day
John 2 commenced
Anything unusual happened to-day ? re.
pcated John. why, yes, think there
has -.
.what?' demanded I, impaticntly.
why. you arc thirty.fve to-day, are you
not, Emily?' returned John,with avery dc.
mure look 'and quite young and handsome
too, for 'thirty.five.''
Now l was both amused and provoked a'
the absurdity of thisspeech. To tell the truth,
had become little tiredlof hearing thirty.
fye.'
'John,' I began, 'sometimes-to-day
especially-I have thought that it would be
best if l should 60 away from here-that |
should be happier in another dwelling-place,
because
was here interrupted by John, who was
attacked by the most outrageous fit of cough.
ing, which lasted several minutes and which,
by its violence, threatened to rupture q
blood-vesscl. Indeed, I was really alarmed
by the evident distress in which he was, and
which exhibited itself by the purple hue Of
his face and by the oldest grimaces. No
allusion was made to my remark during the
remainder OF the ride, and l must say was
not little wounded by tho perfect indifIar-
ence manifested by John upon the subject OF
my departure.
There's Amy Anthem, shouted John, Us
we passed cottage, at the gate of which
stood blooming young girl. And as John
spoke, he drew up with ruddcn jerk, threw
the reins to me, and was soon in earnest con-
ycration with Amy. Now, Amy was great
fivoiite of mine, and II was no secret that
she was great fayorite of Johns also but
| should have preferred that he would take
another time to show hispartiality, especial
ly, as, by their motions. | knew they were
talking about me. So leaned further back
in the carriage, feeling very uncomfortable,
and imagining their conversation.
Il suppose hc is telling her that nm thir-
ty-liye to day. and of course she will answer,
with her prctticst smile, poor old maid :
pity her"
.Good bye, Amy. Now, don't forget to he
ready at tho exact minute, was Johns final
speech as We drove away.
John had several other calls to mako, tho
object of which could not discover. There
were several mysterious conferences held
with elderly specialized ladies, and middle
aged ladies, and young ladies', oil Of whom
nodded kindly to me, but all Of whom sus-
pectcd of saying to each other, She's thirty
five to-day, poor thing' How | wished we
were at home, and home we reached at length
only to bc met by Harry, who had spent the
time pro6tably by composing an cpitaph
upon our probable fate, which, standing ut
the foot Of the stairs, hc shouted out to me
word by word.
How long sat in the solitude Of my own
room, know not. Weary of tho present |
had gone back into the days Of tho past
days that could never return. When i awoke
to actual life, il was dark, and the room felt
dark and chilling. There was an unusual
clattcr of voices and sound Of feet below,
and hurrying from one room to another. !
passed down the dark staircase and opened
tho parlor door, and then started back at the
flood of light and the sight that burst upon
me. Tho parlors were most brilliantly light
ed, and full of colnpany-my particular
friends-many of whom l had thought far
distant the friends Of the family were all
there. What complete change from the
dark chilly room above, and the society Of
my own somewhat sombrc thoughts, to these