Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-04-29
Thersupop walked the floor, wife staring Of

me buo Wuiics .
"I'll never forgive her-never. t
"Husband, stop and think. He ="
"I son't stop and think. say I'll never for
give her; and I won't. Call her In"
Wife left the room in search of Minnie. She
was gone . long while; from which circum-
stances I have always had the suspicion that
she spent the time In soothings and comfortings
scarcely 10 be considered as abetting my view
of the oase. At length they rtturned-both
fearful We sat down together, constrained
group-MInnie very fearful, but very sweet and
beautiful. The interview iras short, and these
were the closing words C
"Father. have always been dutiful child
you will do me thatYjustice. But love this
man. You grant that 2his character is unim-
peachable, but you forbid our marriage because
you have prejudice against him. l love and
honor you, father. You cannot doubt that; but
In this case must follow the dictates OF my
own heart" . lL
will never forgive you"
Thus ended the intervew-wife sobbing dis.
tressfully, Minnie weeping quietly, and sit.
ting glum and angry.
Minnie kept her word, and became the wife
Of Jenny Brun. ,r4, sw.
l did not forbid them the house, as most an
CRY fathers are said to do; but told Minnie
again that she had lost my love and care. Then
l was so foolish as to see Jenny Brun, and, in
o very silly speech, inform him that, since he
was taking my daughter from her father with.
out hisconsent, he need expect no gifts or favors
now or henceforth. She would not be allow
ed to share in the family inheritance, nor should
| render the least assistance IL they "should
come to want" l shall never forget the queer
look the young man gave me-a glance in which
pride seemed almost vainly struggling with O
cluster of mirth-sparkles.
every well, sir; We will try and not 'come to
want" t.
That was all he said; but the cool self-posses
sion of his manner made me feel as though
had undertaken to drive q nail and had pounded
my fingers.
| had always been demonstratiye toward my
children-the elder as we'll as the younger. -
Minnie had never lost her right to her fathers
knee, nor did she ever meet me In the morning
or part from me at night without kiss. This
was denied her now. Poor child! it was the
sorest trial of all. Once or twice she cune
tearfully TO me in my sternness, and reachine
up to clasp my neck with her white arms, tried
to bend my lips to hers. No. promised hel
never kiss while lived.
). Women are strange creatures. There wal
wife, whoihad entirely sympathized with me, az
l supposed, absolutely giving aid and comfor
to our recreant daughter. verify believe that
long before the wedding-day came, she was as
thoroughly interested in the whole affair a
though Minnie had been about TO marry th,
best business man In town. Little use was Il
for me to tighten my purse strings, and direc
that the child should have no marriage outfi
OF wardrobes, pillow-cases, counterpanes, and
the thousand and one ct ceteras in which moth
ers take such pride and pleasure. In spite of me
but eurreplitiously, Minnie was well provided
for, am sure. remember that the shopman' q
bills for some ten months after seemed unusual
ly full, both in number Of items and footing oil
column; and shrewdly suspect that wife had
arranged with the tradesman to have articles
scattered along through the months. She was
always a good fnsncier.
Il The ceremony was performed in church.
was present, lest my absence might give too
great notoriety to the family jar. Useless. The
whole town, having long since been made ac-
quainted with the state Of affairs,--the bride's
beauty and the bridegroom's popularity-se
} many eyes on me with the sparkle of criticism
In them.
"fie needn't look so savage like" muttered
gruff old yeoman behind me; ''there amt q
likelier young feller anywheres hereabout thar
Jenny Brun; an, though Minnie be purity as a
pink, it'sa good match, / say--a real even bar
gain-so."
Long. long months went by after the mar.
riage-tedious, unhappy months to me. knew
| was being aoured by the self imposed restraint
on the affectional part of my nature Minnie
came to her old home sometimes. Once OF
twice she begged for the return of the old love
the old home kiss. No. MY daughter wal
happy In her husband, happy in her new home
But saw very plainly that the bliss of the old
home was lost to her. 'h 1't.i
II Nearly two years went back into the past
shadowed in this manner, when little human
blossom was laid In its cradle. A little, strug
Cling wee thing-another little Minnie. Poo
!, me-! Here was new influence to be stemmed
as boats stem another gust and another wave
! But braced myself; and, when / had beef
, forced into Minnie's chamber, stood over tn
, pale child with the little one on her arm an
heard the faint voice add to the sweetiy be
seecping look, ado kiss me, father!" shoe
: my head, snd went out. n9s
. One day strange change came over th
t young mother, alarming the experienced, an
I giving to the physician that ominous air o
: grave mystery which strikes into the soul Of th
loving. moved about full of fear and guilt
distress. The symptoms became more an,
= more alarming-she was sinking was callel
W uOk UcuuiuCg 40 w tuhb VI uTBt uylnI
0 child. As bent over the white face, almos
D translucent with weakness, illumined BY eye
all undimmed by Illness, my Minnie gave m
0 the old.timed glance of love, and throwing u
, her hands as If to clasp my neck, said family
J but oh! 90 earnestly
"Kss me, father!"
Ibent down to my daughter, my first-born
, and we wept long together-the strong fathe
: and the family y.breathing child.
|, What do you think Minnie did7 Why sh
got we'll again, and in two months was as mu
sical as lark, and as gay, looking afte
: the little Minnie, like pretty mother as sh
' was.
However, the Ice was fairly broken, and wa
my old fatherly self ever after. Minnie eve
ventured, after time, to make merry at m
expense over the fact that not enIy was Jemm
Brun the best Of husbands, but ono Of the we'll
: known of American writer's.
> ! think was very great fool.