The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1860-08-16

Yes, the Judge and Maude got along amaz
ingly we'll together. and cousin Jennie smil
ed to herself as she saw it, but like q pru
dent little woman, as she was, she kept bel
own counsel and said nothing. But the
sensibilities of our hero were destined tc
receive rude shock One morning he en-
tered the library in search of some book be
wished to consult, and discovered Maude
engaged in the perusal of something inter
essing, evidently, for his entrance failed te
attract her attention. He watched her a
few moments in silence. aud tten said
'May | ask what has the honor of absorb
ing your thoughts completely this morn
ing. Miss Maude?'
She started slightly, and laughed. as she
answered.
"Oh. Stewards last speech! It's grand
isn't lt?
Imagine his feelings. Especially when
1t Is taken into consideration thai the Judge
was democrat OF the most ardent stamp,
and consequently entertained about the same
affection Tor Seward aud his speches that a
rabd dog might be Supposed to entertain for
stream of water. He made a wry face in
spite of himself, and Maude, looking up,
caught him in the act
why. Judge said she smiling, you are
not a Democrat. l hope !!
/ Il am happy to say | am replied he
rather stff1y.
] Il am sorry for YOU my friend, | must
say. said Maude. while her eyes danced
with mirth to see how shocked the Ju dge
looked.
And you are
"A Republican, and of the bIackes. dye to
be sure returned she.
We'll. every one to their taste,' and
Maude was alone again.
What Judge Compton's medi atoms were
1t would be difficult to say, but that night
he dreamed that Maude was the President
OF the United States, and in the act of Civ
ing her hand to Seward, who was a big pe-
gro with intensified woody hair and thick
lips, and Henry Ward Beecher was per-
forming the marriage cefemony. He was
rather shy Of Maude for day or two. but
gradually affairs returned to their old chan
nell
One quiet afternoon Jennie and Maude
were alone together. and the gentlemen
were absent on some business or other
They were seated on the piazza with their
sewing, conversing on various femenine
topics, or pausing To admire the quiet beau
~ of the sky cleaning through the heavy
foliage OF the TIRE es, or of the golden grass.
AT length Maude made some remark that
had tinge of her political opinions in it.
and Jennie laughingly said.
Now, Maude. what is the use Of talking
in that style? You'll marry a Democrat
some day. and then what will become of
your politics.
But l shant, though said Maude ener-
gedcally. l wouldn'l marry St. Paul him
self. if i knew he were democrat L
why, Maude,' said Jennie, her black
eyes enlarging considerably you really look
AS If you were really in earnest! What are
your reasons. may l ask?
Because | should fear that man whose
principles would allow him to support such
a system OF fraud. oppression and wrong.
would make a poor husband
Nevertheless, III wager my pet cameo
pin, against your new riding hat. that You
will not only receive an offer from Demo
crat, but will accept him !!
4 accept the bet and refuse the man in
advance bending over her work. that her
companion might not see the bushes that
burned on her cheek and brow; SO consider
your cameo as mine.
We shall see.' answered Jennie gaily
as she turned to welcome her husband who
had entered just then.
Judge Compton was about to leave Ma
pie Glen in a lew days, and the fiual calas-
Irophe came at last. Ii happened in this
wise. The purple gloom of the dying twi
light had just melted away in the silver
beams of the rising moon. that threw dane
ing shadows oil lree and flower on the vel
vety lawn, when Maude and the Judge re-
turned from ride and sat down on the
vine wreathed piazza. Maude's eyes had
sober. dreamy look in their clear depths
and perhaps the mystic beauty OF the night
mad cast It's spell over them, for both were
silent AT length she look ID up, but for an
instant, Tor her companions eyes were fixed
upon her face with an intense gaze. as il he
would read her very soul. and she looked
down as quick, while a faint flush crept over
her white brow.
'Maude, l love you! Will you be my
wife?'
1t was noble, this earnest. manly decla.
ration, aud Maude felt it, after all the un-
meaning tiattery to which he had so long
listened. For moment she hesitated, then
something of her old sauciness came back,
as she recalled the conversation with cous-
in Jennie. and glsncing up, said demureiy:
/ My dear Judge, l know of but one OBJ
jection-'
/ Name it, he exclaimed eagerly.
long since. never to marry a person of your
peculiar political belief
'Maude, this is no time for trihing 1t
may be nothing to you, but il is more than
life or death to me. I am serious in the
matter
SO am l.
And this is ali for which you reject me-
/ .All'
Il have been mistaken in you, Maude! l
imagined you had heart
Another moment and she was alone
The moon peeped in between the waiving
sprays of the vine just than. and saw some
thing very much like q tear IN Maude's eye
As with a troubled face she entered the
house. and made her way to her cousins
quiet room. aecosting her thus.
Jennie, I've done il
Done what q
| Refused the Judge