The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1861-02-12
HOW FIRSi NET MY WIFE.

There was always - mystery hangi 2 about
a certain way that Morgan Lad, ami IN which
he was always joined honestly 10y his wife
NY owu cousin May Stevens, that had b""n
IL way that troubled nv curiosity much un
Ill the one cvcnjful evening that ! was salts
fled 10y hearing III" reason Why.
1t was tins: that every llIno word was
spoken that led to the period when Charley
Morgan first met my cousin May, they would
both laugh very heartily, but would always
refuse to tel at what they laughed. This
WAS certainly very provoking aud | had little
hesitation in telling them so-not once but
many tmes-a at which they always ended by
kissing each other, and looking very affection
ate.
determined to have a solution Of the
matter; IT for 30 other r.; ron thrn 1t worried
me. au but woman, and having pleaded
10 the possession OF curiosity, see no reason
why sometimes 1t should not bc iDiulged
With tlii, resolution, | set tultA one evening,
when We three, Morgan. May, aud myself,
were dawn up before the fire, and carly set
tied fr talk. There was 10 time mincing
ma,ters was my tir.t idea, aud with this
thought dashed boldly out with;
"Mr. Morgau'-I usually call him Char.
lev; but | was dcsirouS OF showing that |
was really in earnest "Mr. Morgan, why do
you always laugh aud look at NJ when the
subject OF your first meeting with her is spo-
ken Off
This, I was sure, WAS simple question :;
aud vet, iusl"al of answering it il u simple
way. they laughed as if the word, had just
spoken were the very best joke in the world.
could 10 nothing, Of cour,e, but 10, k gave
aud lelnn, which ia few moments brought
them both looking the same way, and then
MAY sp Ike to ne seriously and said:
cousin Jane, you take our laughing much
more earnestly than th1ug t you wouI e.
Ii ia only Ii tie memory between Charley
and that brings the laugh; to US it is n
droil remembrance, but, perhaps, in telling 1t
thcr" would be nothing TO amuse any one.
The explanation brought back my good hu
NOR in an Instant, anG with smile, sld
"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.
"Wrll cousin Jane shall have that story,
May; | will tell it myself to her. E"
At this declaration l was surprised to see
May flush up 10 bright rel, aud break out
rather vehcmeutly with
"No, Charley, that is really too bad. You
shall no, 10 it, sir If cousin Jane Is T. have
the story, will tell her myself And then,
after pause, she SAID ~ hen We are alone "
"You shall do no such thing Mtiame
MAY" was Charcy'> laughing response, "you
shall do no such a thing. THIS time | shall
have my own way, and cousin Jane shalt not
have her curiosity excited ny more without
beng satisfied.
| saw there was 10 be discussion on that
1Olui, but knew in some way Cht;l'y was
to come of victor, So /, merely SAYING that
would be back "a "a few minutes, stepped 1t
Of the room aud walked about the garden un
al felt sure the point was settled, when !
went back and found Charley and May loJk
ing as happy as bird, and laughing the old
laugh as usual. As entered, Charley drcw
drew up the rocking chair. aud, after seeing
me safely deposited in its depths, ,aid
! Now, cousin Jane, | shall tell you the Sto
/ ~ about how first met INV wifc.'
ut is just five years ago this summer that
was granted exemption for month from my
desk, aud weut down with NY old cLum,
/ Horace Hyatt. to his fathers, il old Mon
mouth. the garden Of that unjustly abused
State, New jersey. should never have f,r.
gotten that visit, even though had not there
met with an adventure that Dad lis Influence
on the whole future OF my life. ! should re.
member 1t for he real, tue hospitality, tlrc so
lid, old.time comfort OF the ialm, and the qul-
ct way in which. within few days alter my
arriva', | was put into possession Of /. aud
made to feel that it all belonged to me to
do just what | pleased with. There was pen
ty Of fish, and We f,hcd; plenty OF wood
cock, and we shot. All this shall be spoken
Of with pro,iso. | say we--by which, let
i, be understood, do not mean Horace.
twin sisters, Carrie aud NctIir, as having par
licipated in all these sports. They rod, to
be 'urc aud eharmiugly they dill IL; they
fshed and am obliged to confess they were
luckier than their guest. But they did not
shoot, though shall not eSult over thcil
lack Of accomplshment-tEcy were charming
enough without am sure | shall excite u,