Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1860-09-14
g Oh, Stewards last speech Its grand, ism,

Democrat of the most ardent stamp, and con-
sequentiy entertained about the same affection
for Seward and his speeches as rabid dog
might be supposed to have for stream Of wa
ter. He made a wry face in sspite of himself.
and Maude, looking up, caught him in the act
Why, Judge" said she smiling, you're
not democrat, hope'
I'm happy to say am" replied he rather
stifay.
I" I'm sorry for you. my friend, I must say"
said Maude, while her eyes danced with mirth
to see how shocked the Judge looked.
Aud you are"
"a republican, and of the blackest dye, to
be sure, said she.
Well, every girl to her taste. and she was
alone again.
What Judge Compton's meditations were.
it would be difficult to say: but that night he
dreamed that Maude was President, and in the
act of giving her hand to Seward, who was
big nigger with intensified woolIy hair and
thick lips, and Henry Ward Beecher was per-
forming the marriage ceremony. He was
rather shy Of Mande for day or two, but
gradually affairs returned to their old channel.
One quiet afternoon, Jennie and Maude were
alone together. They were seated on the pi-
azza with their sewing, conversing on various
feminine topics, or pausing to admire the quiet
beauty of the blue sky cleaning through the
heavy foliage of the trees, or of the golden
bars of sunlight that lay upon the thick, green
grass. At length Maude made some remark
that had tinge of her political opinions in it,
and Jennie laughingly said:
Now Maude, what's the use of talking in
that style? You'll marry democrat some
Gay and then what will become Of your poll
tics ?"
But shant though" said Maude, ener-
getically. 81 wouldn't marry St Paul him.
self, if knew he were democrat!"
Why, Maude, said Jennie. her black eyes
charging themselves considerably, you really
look as if you were in curncst! What are
you reasons, may / ask 2"
i" Because l should fear that a man whose
principles would allow him to support such a
system of fraud, oppression aud wrong, would
make poor husband"
Nevertheless, I'll wager my pet cameo
against yonr new riding hat, that you will not
only receive an offer from a democrat, within
two weeks, bat will accept him !"
accept the bet and refuse the man in adj
vance said Maude, bending over her work,
that her companion might not see the bushes
that burned on her cheek and brow SO CON
slider your cameo us mine"
"We shall see, - answered Jennie gaily, as she
turned to welcome her husband, who entered
just then.
Judge Compton was to leave Maple Grove
in a few days, and the final catastrophe came
at last 1t happened in this wise, The pur-
pie gloom Of the dying twilight had Just mel
ted away in the silver beams of the rising
moon. and threw dancing shadows of tree and
flower on the veyety lawn. when Maude and
the Judge returned from ride and sat down
on the vine-wreathed piazza. Maude's eyes
had sober, dreamy look in their clear depths
aud perhaps the mystic beauty of the night
had cast its spell over them, for both were ST
lent. At length she looked up but for an in
stant, for her companions eyes were fixed up
on her face with an intense gaze as if he would
read her very soul, and she looked down as
quickly, Write q faint flush ciept over her
white brow.
Maude, I love youl Win you be my
wife ?'
1t was noble, this earnest manly declaration
and Maude felt it, after all the unincaning fat
terry to which she had so long, listened. For
moment she lesitated, then something of her
old sauciness came back. and she recalled the
conversation with cousin Jennie, and gancing
up, she said demurely
My dear Judge, | know Of but one objec-
tion.'
{" Name it, he exclaimed eagerly
-.4l... 7
since, never to marry person of your pecu-
liar political belief" !
Maude, this is no time for trifing 1t
may be nothing to you. but it is more than
life or death to me. l am serious in this mat
ter"
so am T."
And this is all for which you reject me y
AL"
have been mistaken in you, Maude! !
imagined you had a heart"
Another moment and she was alone. The
moon peeped in between the wavering sprays
of the vine just then, and saw something very
much like tear in Maude's eye as with
troubled face she entered the house, and made
her way to her cousins quiet room accosting
her thus
JENNIE, I've done 1t
Done what ,"
Refused the Judge"
How, and where? Tell me all about it -
And as Maude, in a word, told what had
passed, Jennies gay laugh rang out as she ex-
claimed, Good I wish could have seen his
highness' face when he found out that one wo-
man had read politics to some purpose. What!
tear in your eye, Puss? Don't feel bad we
shall see what we shall see, and if the judge is
not contented why-you will have vindicated
your principles at last" l don't think Maude
was comforted much.
Like most others OF his party Judge Comp
tons knowledge of Repubieanism was con-
fined to the application of few choice cpl
thets to it. and the general idea that its fol-
lowers were the embodiment of fsnaticism and
violence, while of its real character and work
ings, he was wilfully ignorant. He left Maple
Glen the following day, and Maude saw no
more of him. 1t may have been accident but
some weeks after he was actually surprised
reading Republican newspaper. What the
results were eau only be sarmised from short
correspondence which took place between our
hero and heroine, some months later. 1t ran
thus:
DEAR MAUpE:
One of the best Republicans
you ever knew, wishes to see you. May
come COMPTON.
DEAR JUDGE:
Come.
MAUDE.
There was merry wedding in Maple Glen
before Autumn had dotted her robes Of scarlet
and gold, and the fair face, that the mystery of
this bridal veil enveloped was none other than
that of Maude.
Judge Compton stumps bis State for LIN
coin and HamIin this fall, and rumor says that