Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1860-04-20

Now don't you laugh, not even smile,
will youG Well, if we both live until the
pleasant month Of roses comes again, then
on the tenth day of that, 1 will become
thine at the holy altar And--and-
Lincoln will you still love me, with this
great, deep, warm lovel'
And instantly, ere he could answer, the
little hands cover his mouth, and the dear
voice whispers lovingly: Yes, yes, l know
you will. You would not kill your own
little Minnie, would youl Oh how happy
we shall then be-
He folds her gently in his arms, and
presses her warmly to his heart and with
kisses sweet, tells her:
we will hope; Minnie, that this happi-
ness, at least, may ever stay. What could
we ask morel Dearest, how could l live
without my little snow-bird? How little
dreamed when first we met, of ever calling
thee mine. This is a proud, happy mo-
ment. Heaven bless thee, mine own
And Heaven did seem to shed over her
its choicest blessings, and she was bonnie,
blithe, and oh, so gaily happy, singing ever
morning, noon and night, and all the house
hold dreaded the coming hour which would
rob them of her bird-like songs, and fill
with silence and grief the halls where now
they cheerily resounded Oh how little
they foresaw of the desolation their hearts
were soon to feel; of the great storm cloud
which was gathering thick and fast to break
violently in wild and terrible fury over the
inmates of this now happy home, causing
every heart to moan and writhe in bitter
agony, and curse the day which brought the
tempter to their hearth Oh, 'tis sad
thing to know and feel that deceit dwells in
such a priucely mansion.
In few weeks more, after Minnie had
named the day, preparations began being
made for the coming event. All the bridal
paraphernalia was selected and got ready,
and many other necessary arrangements
were made. Minnie thought or dreamed
of but little else until one day she saw a
fine, queenly looking girl coming from the
cars with Mr.. Williams, whom she recog-
nized as her old friend Hattie, who had
been absent from home upwards Of two
years, travelling and visiting in the South.
This arrival, for a few days won from her
some attention, and then Franks return
from college, and contemplated tour to
Europe, attracted considerable more: still
she always found plenty of spare moments
to answer all the Coloners pleasant letters
and to entertain him too whenever he
came. One of these evenings which hc
found time to devote to Minnie, brings Il.
back to the one she speaks of in our first
chapter and from that moment Minnie's
cheek began to pale, and her delicate form
grew thinner A strange fear entered hel
soul which she dared not attempt to ana
( lyze lest is should in some way attach some
blame to him, dearest of all the world !
Whenever she found her heart questioning
aOhy there seemed to be such a change, ant
why no letters came, she would press hel
hand upon it and murmur: '0h be still.
know he will not change. am sure he
will either come or write soon. Oh cease
thy wild beatings my foolish heart, all vii
yet be WELL
And when she saw that letter, in hi,
hand writing, directed to Hattie oh, who
shall tell her anguish: sharp as the dag
gers wound was the pain she felt-but she
bushes her terrified heart, and says: Let u,
hope there is some mistake. But when al
homo again she strives in vain to keep back
the bitter, burning tears, and so Frank sur
lprises her and finds his darling sister as We
have before described; aud wins from he
a slight confession. He consoles, and final
ly brings her the long looked for and anx
iously expected letter, which she so Joyful,
carried to her room, and eagerly opened
and read. AT first sweet smile playeC
round the dimping mouth for a brief mo
ment and then look so astonished, fol
lowed instantly by one of bitter pain, anC
then such utter, helpless agony, and deel
despair as with sharp cry the letter drop
from the fair hand and she falls senseles
to the floor. Her little maid, Nell soon al
ter found her, as she went to the roor
thinking her young mistress would nee
her assistance in dressing for tea. Poo
Nell was terribly frightened, and for littl
while she knew not what to do, but sool
found sense enough to call Mrs. Ashberto
who came flying up stairs, and sent Ne
flying down to find Frank, and send hir
for DR.. Mac. They were soon there, an,
found Minnie somewhat restored to con
sciousness, through her mothe's energeti
appliances, who though agood deal alarmed
did not lose her characteristic selfpossessor
} and had used the necessary restoratves.-
, Still Minnie was cold and pale, and Ne
thought Minnie must surely be dead 0
dying. Frank was half wild with feal
and asks Dr. Mac anxiously:
Cant something more be donel Don
let her die!'
| Yes, yes, my boy. Wen do all we ca
, for her. answers the Doctor in his brusqu
way. 'Of course we don't intend to let be
} die. She'll come round soon, 1 think
Some mental excitement or great nervou
! prostration. Do all you can to get be
: warm, as quick as possible. That's th
} thing said he, rs tub of warm water
brought in. Put only her feet in, though
J This, if VIC can persuade her TO take it, wi
allay the nervousness he continues as h
deals composing powder. After an hou
} of deep anxiety the family are somwhat re
: lieyed to see Minnie apparently quietl
) sleeping; save Frank who tells his mothS
} he will watch her, while the rest 90 to SUI
, per. And so all through the long, Ion
night he watched beside her and could nc