Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1860-01-20

story Of their loves; for sope Of the sweet
est moments Of their eourtship w'ro those
when he bad leaned over that instrument
and listened to the melting tones Of her
voice. could not but smile a. this in
stance OF romantic gallantry in q do,ins
husband.
lie was now going ou. to the cottage.
whors his wife had been all day .upsriu,sn.
ding ito arrangement. Ny feelings had be-
coms strongly interested in the progress OF
,his family story. and as !, was hns eve
nlng, offered TO accompany him.
lie va, ~earied with the fatigu.s OF the
day. and as We walked out. fell into g,
Of gloomy uu'ing
"poOr Mary a. length broke, with
Sigh. from bis lips.
"And what Of hor?" asked | "has
anything hnppen'd to her"
"wha,, said be, dartins an inpatient
glance. Z" "i' il nothing to be reduced to this
paI,ry .ituation-to be Gagged in a mi'era-
ble cot,ag.-to be obliged to toll alhO.t in
the menial concerns OF her wreiehed habi.
tation %
Has she then rsrincd at the ehangcl"
Repinsd she has been nothing bu,
sweetne" and good.humor Indeed. she
seems in better spirit, than ! have ever
known her she has been to me all love,
aud tenderness, and comfort"
Admirabl. girl :" exclaimed {. "You
call yourself poor, my friend YOU never
were 20 rieh--you never knew the bannlle,'
treasures Of excellence you possess in tha!
woman"
80! but, nv friend, if this hr,t meeting
a, the cottage vero over. | tank could
then he comfortable. But this s hcs hrs,
day Of real experience; she ha. been intro.
duced into humble dwslling-,hs h',
been employed all day in arranging u, mis-
cradle equipmehts-'ho has, for the frs.
tune, known the hiisnes of domef'ic e'n-
ployment-,hc hns. Tor the fr', time. l5os-
ed round her on home destitute NJ egiry.
thing elegant-almo.I Of everything e1n.
venisnt and may now be sitting down, er.
hau'tcd and 'pirillc.-, brOOdins over pros
pect OF future poverty"
There wa. degree Of probability in this
picture which could net gainay, 40 we
walkel on in silence.
Ait5r turning iron tho main road up
narrow lane. - ;hiesly shaded with forest
tree. as to give it complete air Of 'eclu-
sion, we came in 'ish, OF the cottage. IL
was humbl, enough in its appearance for
the most pastoral poet; and yet It had
pleasing rura! look. A wild vine had over
run one end with profusiOn OF foliage; u
few trees threw their branches gracefully
over il; and also observed several pot. of
iower. ta.tefully disposed about the door.
and on the gras.plot In front. 4 small
wicket gate opened upon foo,path iha,
wound through some .hrubbery 10 the door.
Ju,, as we approached, We heard the sound
OF musie-.Ls.liO graspci my arm we
paused and listened. IL ". Mary's voice
singing. in a,tyls OF the mos, touching sim.
plicity, little air Of which her husband
was peculiarly fond.
felt Leslie's hand ,r.mble on my arm.
lie stepped forward to hear more distinctly.
III. step made noise on the gravel walk.
A bright, beautiful face glanced out at the
window and vanished light footstep was
heard-and Mary came tripping forth to
meet us; she was in pretty rural dress Of
white q few Wild flowers were twisted in
her fns hair; fresh bloom was on her
cheek her whole eountsnancO beamed with
smiles-I had never seen her look 90 loyo.
ly.
my dear George" cried she, Z" an 90
glad you are come have been watching
and watching for you and runnin: down
the lane, and looking out for you. I've set
out table under beautiful tree behind
the cottage; and I've been gathering some
OF the most delicious Strawberries, for
know you are fond OF them-and We have
such excellent sream-apd everything is 80
swee, aud still hero - said che, putlins
her arm within his, and looking up bright
" in his face. 4" o, we shall be so happy -
Poor Leslie was overcome. lie cauch,
her to his bosom--he folded his arms round
her--he kissed her again and again-he
could not speak, but the tears gu.hed into
his eyes, and he has often assured me, that
though the world has since gene prosper
ously with him, and bis life has, indeed.
been happy one, yet never has he expert.
enccd moment Of more exquisite felicity.
Washington Irving. Sketch Book.