The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1860-08-16

that point, but [ knew that, in some way,
Charley was sure to come off victor so,
merely saying that [ would be back in
few moments, L slipped out Of the room
and walked about the garden until [ felt
sure the point was settled, when | went
back, and found Charley and May looking
as happy as birds and laughing the old
laugh, as usual. AS [ entered, Charley
drew up in 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:
at is just five years ago this summer,
that [ was granted exemption for one
month from my desk, and went down
with my chum, Horace Hyatt, to his faith
er's in old Monmouth, the garden of that
unjustly abused State, New jersey. l
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. l should re-
member it for the real trse hospitality
Of the Hyatts; for the solid, old-time
comfort OF the farm, and the quiet way
in which, within couple of days after
my arrival, was put into possession Of
it, and made to feel that it all belonged
to me, to do just what l pleased with
There were plenty Of horses, and we rode;
there were plenty Of fish and we fshed /;
plenty Of wood-cock, and we shot Al
this shall be spoken with q proviso. l
say we-by Horace's two sisters, Carrie
and Nettie, as having participated in all
these sports. They rode, to be sure-and
charmingly they did it, they fshed, and, /
am obliged to confess, were much luclicr
than their guest. But they did not shoot,
though ] shall not eXult over their lack
Of this accomplishmeut-thcy were charm
ing enough without it. [ am sure / shall
excite no jealousy by declaring that,
with one exception, which ! shall not
mention here, Carrie and Nettie Hyatt
were the two most charming girls | had
ever seen, and was Just hcsitating as to
which Of them | should fall desperately
in love with, when my calculations were
all disturbed by an accident-for so /
suppose | must call it-though- really
seeming like special providence What
this was, [ shall tell in the best way !
know how.
"For some days after my arrival at the
farm, my curiosity had been much excl
ted by the young ladies upon Il. once
schooltcllow Of their own, May Stevens
by name, who was, according to their
highly-coloreG account, the most perfect
thing in the shape Of woman then living.
! tried to persuade myself that nothing in
that line could surpass Carrie and Ncttie !;
but still the reception OF this May Stevens
haunted me, and came like u shadow across
my new born passion. | formed, at last,
an imaginary May Stevens, and do what
| would, the figure was with me. At last
[ was worked into an agony Of curiosity
and trembled with some great purpose,
which should bring before me the object
Of my thoughts and Of the sisters contin-
ual conversation. IN what this would
have ended it is impossible for me at this
time to say had I not heard, one morning.
as | entered the breakfast room, the start
ling words from Nellie:
and so she Is coming at last I'm SO
glad ~
"Whcther it was that the train Of my
thoughts was upon that point at the same
moment, 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
Stevens was about to become a reality |
had no need to ask questions. All the
information was profiered. May Stevens
the incompatible May-was to spend u
month at Hyatt's, and they were to expect
her at any mOment-though, as the letter
read, she might not be down for Il week to
come \ week it was an age, a cen
tury and was in futter of excitement.
Ny long standing passion, of nearly two
weeks duration, for Nettie and Carrie, was
forgotten in an instant, and my whole
mind was absorbed in making the best
figure possible before this new queen
With this idea, | began to look into my
wardrobe | had come down with suffi-
cient clothes 10 answer all ordinary pur-
poses, including, Of course, Nettie and
Carrie but the new goddess was certainly
worthy of a new rig on my part, and GER
tainIy should have it. This resolution
was made within fifteen minutes after
hearing the announcement Of her inten-
ded coming; and before two hours had
gone by, | was whizzing on my way to
town, TO carry out that resolve My
choicest morsels Of wardrobe should be
offered on the shrine of May Stevens
81 had absented myself on the plea OF
sudden memory of business neglected,
and faithfully promised Nettic and Carrie
that the next day should see me down
again at Hyatt's to stay out the month