The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1860-12-04

Cnafley was 10 come OH VICTOR SO
merely said that l would be back in a
few minutes, stepped out of the room
and walked about the garden until | felt
sure the point was settled, when went
back and found Charley and May look
ing as happy as birds, and laughing the
old laugh-as usual. AS | entered Char
ley drew up the rocking chair, and after
seeing me safely deposited in its depths,
said:
"Now, cousin Jane, shall tell you
the story about how | first met my
wife:
1t is just five years ago this summer
that was granted exemption for a
month from my desk, and went down
with my chum, Horace Hyatt, to his
fathers in old Monmouth, the garden of
that unjustly abused State, New Jersey.
| should never have forgotten that visit,
even though | had not there met with
an adventure that had its influence on
the whole future of my life. | should
remember it for the real, true hospitali-
ty, the solid old time comfort fthe farm,
and the quiet way in which, within a
couple days after my arrival, was put
in possession of it, and made to feel that
it all belonged to me to do just what |
pleased with. There were plenty of fish,
and we tished plenty of woodcock, and
we shot All this shall be spoken with
proyiso. | say we-by which let it
be understood, do not mean Horace's
two sisters, Carrie and Nettie, as having
participated in all these sports. They
rode to be sure-and charmngly they
did it they fished, and | am obliged 10
confess they We're much luckier than
their guests. But they did not shoot,
though shall not exult over their lack
Of this accomplishment-they were char
ming enough without it. | am sure |
shall excite no jealousy by declaring
that with one exemption, which | shall
not mention here, Carrie and Nettie Hy
ATT were the most charming girls that |
had ever seen, and | was just hesitating
as to which of them | should fall desper-
ately in love with, when my calculations
were all disturbed by an accldent-for
SO suppose | must call Though re-
ally seeming like special providence.
What this was | shall tell in the best
way | know how
=" For some days after my arrival al
the farm, my curiosity had been much
excited by the occasional panegyrics
lavished by the young ladies upon a
once school mate of their own, May Ste
vens by name, who was, according to
their highly colored account, the most
perfect thing in the shape of "a woman
then living. | tried to persuade myseli
tha. nothing in that line could surpas,
Nette and Carrie but still the repuA
lion of May Stevens haunted me, and
came like shadow across my new born
passion. | formed, at last, an imaginary
Nav Stevens and, do what | would the
figure was with me. At last was work
ed into an agony Of curiosity, and trem-
bled with some great purpose which
should bring before me the object of my
thoughts and of the two sisters continu
al conversation. In what this would
have ended it is impossible for me al
this time to say, had not heard one
Z morning as tIllclti tIlt VI ttth lstSt iOOllli
the startling words from Nettie:
And so she is coming at last, I'm
SO glad -
Whether ii was that the train Of my
thoughts was upon that point at the mo.
ment or what, cannot say but knew
directly the whole matter. | saw Carrie
with an open letter in her hand. and
coupling it with Nettie's words, | knew
that the hitherto only heard of May Ste
yens was about 10 become a reality.
had no need 10 ask questions. All th,
! information was protiered. May Stevens
I the incom parable May--was TO spene
month at HyatL's and lhey were 10 ex
pect her nj any moment i; though rs th,
letter read she might not be down for ;
week To come. A week il was au age
century, and was in ilutter of eX
element My long standing passion, Q
nearly two weeks duration, for Nelit
and Carrie, WAS forgotten in an instant
and my whole mind was absorbed in ma
king the best figure possible before thi,
queen. With this idea | began to lool
into my wardrobe. | had come dowt
with sufficient clothes 10 answer all or
dnary purposes, including, OF course
Netle and Carrie but the new goddess
was certainly worthy new rig on m,
part. and certainly should have it. Thu
resolution was made within fifteen min
utes after hearing the announcement q
her intended coming, aud before tw'
hours had gone by | was whizzing ol
my way to town TO carry out my resolve
Ny choicest morsel of wardrobe shoul,
be offered on the shrine of May Ste
yens.
had then absented myself on th
plea of sudden memory of a busines
neglected, and faithfully promised Net
tie and Carrie that the next day shout
see me down al Hyatt's again. to sta
out the month that May Stevens, th
wonderful was about TO pass wit
them.
The racking of brain that day I
create grand ensemble of costume
something beyond all criticism, th'
, should at the first glance, strike the bt
holder with silent admiration ii
deed terrible. The labor of wrltin
Paradise Lost was nothing to it,
4 Il al l.. I ,