Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-04-16
ISCELLANY A N Y
A DILEMMA; OR, HOW 1 FIRST MET
MY WIFE.
BY >. NJ. WATSON.

There was always a.ln5 5stery hanging about a
certain way that Morgan had, and in which he
was always Joined heartily by his wife-my own
cousin, May Stevens that had beeD--a way that
lroubiediiny curiosity much, until the one event
ful evening that it was satisfied by hearing the
reason why.
All that long sentence without telling wha'
chat way was, or how he Was joined III IL pY
May.
Il was simply this: that every time word
was spoken that led to the period when Charley
Morgan first met my cousin May, they would
both laugh very heartily, but weuld always re-
fuse to tell at what they laughed. This v 5
| certainly very provoking, and had little hesl-
| tation in telling them so-not once, but many
| times-at which they laughed more heartily
than ever and always ended by kissing each
other and looking very atfectionate.
| determined to have a solution of the matter,
| if for 10 other reason than that it worried me.
| am but woman, and having pleaded to the
possession of curiosity, see no reason why that
toible of my sex should elicit no charity, and no
| reason why sometimes it 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. There was no use lninciDg matters, was
my first idea, and with this thought dashed
boldly in with
"Mr. Morgau," Il usually called him Charley,
but was desirous of showing him that / was
really in earnest,} "Mr. Morgan, why do you al
ways laugh and look at May when the subject
of your first meeting with her is spoken of
This, was sure, was 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 spc-
ken were the very best joke in the world.
could do nothing, of course, but looked grave
and solemn, which, in few moments, brought
them both round to looking the sane way, and
then May spoke to me seriously, and said
"Cousin Jane you take our laughing much
more earnestly than thought you would. 1t
is only q little memory between Charley and
me that brings the laugh, to US it is a droll re-
membrance, but, perhaps, in telling it, there
would be nothing to amuse any one."
This explanation brought back my good hu-
NOR in an instant, and, with smile, said
Nov, May, this is really unkind of you; for
80 long have you excited lay curiosity that, even
were the story not worth telling, you should tell
it."
"Well, consin Jane shall have the story, May,
aud will tell it myself to her."
s.At this declaration ! was surprised to see
May flush up to bright red, and break out
rather vehemently with
s'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 then st-
ter a pause, she said, "When we are alone"
sYou shall do no such a thing, Madam May"
was Charley's laughing response, as be got up
and kissed May directly in the mouth, just IN
time to stop torrent Of words that in another
minute would have poured out, "You shall do
no such thing This time | shall have my
way. and cousin Jane shall not have her curios-
i,y excited any more without being satisfied
/ cav there was to be a discussion on that
point, but | knew that, in some way, Charley
was sure to come off victor; so, merely saying
hat would be back in few moments, | slip
ped out of the room, aud walked about the gar
den until | felt sure the point Was settled, when
went back, aud found Charley and May look
ing as. happy as birds, and laughing the old
laugh. es usual. AS entered, Charley drew up
the rocking-char, and after seeing me safely de-
posted in its depths, said
'sNow, cousin Jane, shall tell you the story
about how | first met my wife:
sit IS just ave years ago this Summer, that
wac granted exemption for one month from my
desk. and went down with my chum, Horace
ayatt. to his fathers ia old Monmouth, the gar
den Of that un]usty abused State, New Jersey
should never have forgotten that visit, even
though had DOT there met with an adventure
ii at had it's influence on the whole future of my
life, sheuld remember it for the real true hos
pitality OF the Hyatts; for the solid, old-time
comfort OF the farm, and the quiet way Ill which,
within couple OF days after my arrival, | was
nut into possession OF it, and made to feel that
it all belonged to me, to do just what pleased