Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-01-11
Grnrral dHtsrtIlanp.
HOW / FIRST MET MY WIFE.

he was always joined honestly by his VILE
my own cousin-May Stevens that has been
Ia way that troubled my curiosity much, un-
Ill the one evently evening that was salts
hed by hearing the reason why
1t was simply this that every time word
was spoken that led to the period when Char
ley Morgan first met my cousin May, they
would laugh very heartily, but would always
refuse to tell at what they laughed. This was
certainly very provoking, and had little hes
itation in telling them so-not once, but
many times-at which they laughed more
heartily than ever, and always ended by kiss
ing each other and looking very aftectonate.
| determined to have a solution OF the mat
ter, il for no other reason than that it wor-
ried me. / am but a woman, and have plead
ed to the possession of curiosity. see no
reason why il should not be INDUCED. With
this resolution, set forth one evening, when
we three, Morgan, May and myself were
drawn up before the fire and fairly settled for
a talk.
Mr.. Morgan, Il usually called him Char
ley, but was desirous of showing that was
really in earnest Mr.. Morgan, why do you
always laugh and look at May when the sub
ieot of your first meeting with her is spoken
off,
This, was sure, was a simple question
and yet, instead of answering it in simple
way, they went back. both of them, on the
old plan, and laughed as though the words
had just spoken were the very best joke in
the world. | could do nothing, of course,
but look grave and solemn which in few
moments brought them both to looking the
same way, and then May spoke to me serious
y, and said
Cousin Jane, you take our laughing much
more seriously than thought you would. II
is only little memory between Charley and
that brings the laugh to us it is droll
remembrance, but perhaps in telling it there
would be nothing to amuse any one.
! The explanation brought back my good hu-
NOR in a instant, and with a smile, said
Now May, this is really unkind of you
for so long have you excited my curiosity that
even were the story not worth telling, you
should tell it.
Well, cousin Jane shall have that story,
May | will tell it myself to her
At this declaration | was surprised to see
May flush up to bright red, and break out
rather vehemently with
Now, Charley, that is really too bad -
You shall not do it, sir. If cousin Jane is to
have the story, will tell her myself, and
lheh altet pause she sdiu-- "uch We are
alone
/ You shall do no such thing Madame
May, was Charleys laughing response you
shall do no such -hing This time shall
have my way aud cousin Jane shall not have
her curiosity excited any more without being
satisfied.
I saw there was TO bo discussion that
point, but knew that in some way Charley
was to come off victor so |, merely saying
that would be back in a few minutes, step
ped out Of the room and walked about the
garden until felt sure the point 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 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 was just five years ago this summer
that ] was granted exemption for month
from my desk, and went down with my chum,
Horace Hyatt, to his home in old Monmouth,
the garden Of that unjustly abused state, N
Jersey. | should never have forgotten that
visit, even though had not met with an ad-
venture that had its influence on the whole
future of my life. ! should remember it for
the real, true hospitality, the solid, oldtime
comfort of the farm, and the quiet way in
which, within couple Of days after my ar
rival ! was put in possession Of it and made
to feel that it all belonged to me to do just
what pleased with. There were a plenty Of
fish, and we ished plenty of woodcock, and
we shot All this shall be spoken with a
proviso. / say we-by which, let it be un-
derstood, do not mean Horaces twin sis
ters, 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 they were lucker than
their guest. But they did not shoot, though
| should not exult over their lack of accom-
! plsbment-they were charming enough with
out it. am sure | shall excite no jealousy
/ by declaring that with one exception, which
| shall not mention here, Carrie and Nettie
Hyatt were the most charming girls that
had ever seen and was Just hesitating as
to which Of them | should fall desperately in
love with, when my calculations were all dis
turbed by an accident-ior ! suppose must
call it, though seeming like special Proyid-
ence. What this was, | shall tell you in the
best way know how.
For some days aftermy arrival at the farm,
my curiosity had been much excited by the
occasional pauegyrics lavished by the young
ladies upon a once schoolmate of their own,
May Stevens 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 myself that nothing in
that line could surpass Nettie and Carrie; but
still the reputation of this May Stevens haunt
ed me, aud came like shadow across my
newborn passion. ! formed, at last an i'm
aginary May Stevens and do what would,
the figure was with me- At last | worked
myself into an agony of curiosity, and trems
bled with some great purpose which should
bring before me the object Of my thoughts
and of the two sisters continued conversation.
In what this would have ended it is impossi-
BILE for me to say. had | not heard one morn
ing as | entered the breakfast room the start
ing words from Nettie
And SO she is coming at last. I'm so
glad !
Whether it was that the train of my
thoughts was upon that point at the moment,
! cannot say, but knew directly the whole
matter. saw Carrie with an open letter ia
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 informa-
tion was proffered May Stevens-the in
comparable May--was to spend a month at
n - l.l