Delaware State journal and statesman., 1861-07-23

groomsman, good people
Every body began to look about them, and
then there was general laugh. Besides my
Uncle Herbert, there was no unmarried gentle
man in the company, except Mr.. Arihurson
himself. He was pressed into service.
'The misehief'a in it' he muttered. This
comes of peoples getting married Well!
/ yeld-with oil the resignation POSSESS Anu
now, mesdames, since you have selected me,
beg leave to make choice Of partner MISS
Graham l'-and he bent, with deferental grace
over my Aunt Adeaide's ohair--'may | ask you
to favor me with your assistanoeF
She was evidently little startled by the sud
denness Of the application. | think sho had
been calculating on Clara for the part Of brides
maid but she quietly assented.
4 And now tho laughter and merriment quite
subsidized. Everybody grew still What seri-
Gus moment that was remember that it
seemed to me, just thea, that there was some
thing really awful in standing up to be married.
| heartily repcned my wish about my Aunt
Adelaide. | was very thankful, on the whole,
that she was not the bride
The wedding was like all other weddings,
dare say; but [ could not have told a word of
the proceedings then for I snw nothing but my
Aunt Adelaide, in her gray silk dress, crossing
the room with Mr.. ArthursOn. She looked
handsomely she was quiet, and selfpossessed,
Mr.. Arthurson looked down at her, aud he ad
mired her as much as did
II was all over in a few moments the blessing
given-the prayer breathed-and our pretty, shy
girl guest WAS a bride.
Then came kisses and congratulations and
the subdued confusion that follows home we'd
dings in general. The color came trembling
into my Aunt Adelade's fair cheek, as Mr..
( A.thui son led her back. He looked down, saw
it, and smiled There was something beautiful
exceedingly in that smile.
'YOd are n little agitated, spite of yourself,
Miss Grahame?' ? he said.
"A little.'
1T is quite natural You gave Louise great
deal of courage, however, the little scared thing
'She is yOung-a mere child. DO not wonder
at her timidty; especially in a room filled with
strangers. Though, certainly, We need not seem
like strangers, since we are friends and neigh
bors of her uncle
NO. Then you think thata ought to bestow
selfpOssession? Miss Grahame, am thirty
nine. am not at all sure that shall have the
coolness to conduct myself satisfactorily when
the timo comes for me to assume the yoke ma
trimonial. viii you promise to assist in keep
ing me and my wife in countenance, on that
occasion p
My Aunt Adelaide laughed
Willingly, if you and ydtT wife desire it,
Il will remember
In three days. the roads were cleared, and the
bridal party set out for the Hedge. A cordial
feeling Of friendship had sprung up, during that
brief visit, between them and the family at the
parsonage. Nobody could help liking frank,
, boyish, handsome Richard Hilton aud his pretty
: bride; and Mr. Arthurson was equally beloved.
Among my Aunt Adelaide's nieces and nephews
| was her favorte next to Clara and so she per
sua1ed my mother TO leave me at the parsonage
c when all the other children with their papas and
/ mamas departed Thus l remained, much tC
, my satisfaction, with my grandparents, and uncle
! Herbert and my beloved Aunt Adeleide.
-, - . I.
: Hedge, for some two or three months, and dur
l ing that time we saw them quite often. Mr.
|, Arthurson, too, rode over occasionally. Ny
e Uncle lIebert liked him, my grandparents like
1t him, so did Ii always sat very still when h
5, was near, and obeyel his least command. l
e. return, he loved me for which my uncle Herbei
to sometimes pretended to look very grave.
le One bright afternoon, my uncle Herbert cam
fl into the room where Aunt Adelaide and were
e tAdelaide-Ellen, will you drive over to thu
Il Hedge with rue p he said.
If you will take u.s., she returned, smiling
e So we got on our bonnets, and accompanied hin
c in a sleigh.
i, We found MIR. Arhurson smoking upon ihu
Y piazza. lie threw away book and cigar, ant
il welcomed us cordially.
n Smoking in the cold, sir ? said Adelaide.
e Exactly, became desperate in doors. Snct
e Richard and Louise have taken their leave,
If find it mouotonOus this bachelOr life of mine
c | think seriously OIL elmer DleakluB up mouse
keeping or getting married. Which would yot
l. advise, Mr.. GrnhameF
It should hesitate about giving advice, in sucl
d n case, my dear sir. You must remember tina
q 1 never tried the benefit of either step
1t sAh, then l must move on my own responsi
bity, suppose, and trust for safety to the littl
|. penetration which possess. | shall start mat
l. tiers in one way or the other very soon, you ma.
Y, be sure. But l confess that have become at
is taohed to the Hedge, and l am not anxious 4
l. leave it, il can make myself-Or get somebOd
is else to make me-content to stay there. 1t is
r. fine place, don't you think SO, Miss Grahame
a and he turned carelessly to my aunt.
'Yes, it is beautiful, she said Il franki
le confess to little surprise at your inclination
leave it,
H. Il should like some one to persuade me int
s. remaining. l came out here from very EMU
I'd fifteen months ago, to find company in the sprnct
ID trees and the icicles
t, 'Why did you not come over to US ? asked m
er uncle Herbert.
Il was not company sufficient for myself no
lie could bore other people to death But be
in your pardon 1--WE had been standing oil this tin
- in the porch) i believe have fairly iorgotte
er TO invite you to enter, You see, Miss Graham
am getting out of date losing all the manner
ng / ever possessed. precious few, by the way
lr- All the Consequence of leading bachelors lif
he | am out of hnmanitya reach l-deeidedly an
g. ing-room door. 'Eatre? aud cheer up my lone
nd den for IL little while. Seat yourself here, Mi
Grnhame, drawing fauteul from the heart
r. TO the bay-windOw. Herbert, make yourse
no comfortable Come here Ellen Aubrey. VIII
is that great book which you carry 2
le- 'The Encyclopedia, sir, which you sent to n
ave uncle Herbert We brough over in the sleigi
It; And am greatly obliged to you for the u
Sc, of it, sir, said my uncle.
rem a fig for the obligation, my dear friend 7
ell whole library is at your service, ON conditi
that you will exercise the contents sufficiently
Int prevent tile books from getting musty for ws
eT Of use. BY the woy, received package
K it volumes from town, yesterday, which l thi
you will like. They are on the library tai
Are you going in De kind enough, if
title please, to give me an opinion of the engravr
with which you will also find there Tell me If 4
are rightY
I'm Uncle Herbert went
g to wanted to SO, too, but my aunt was hold
my hand.
Adelaide said Mr.. Arthurson, turning TO
ion, do you remember a certain contract which
the made that evening when Louise was married
'Yes, sir
lair You abide by it2'
rson Il do
lded i shall require your assistance in short til
:. have looked about for the person who is to
your companion during the ceremony
with Il suppose you have fixed upon the lndlvluu
witty said my aunt, with slight SMILE
not Yes, leave you to decide upon the wisd
and of the choice His name is Robert Arthurs
8 of Will you take him, Adelaide 2
and lie held out his hand. An expression
pirit Mingled nstonshment and perplexity olenu
heir with the lingering smile in my aunts eye' =
re Of then gaye place to sweet seriousness
ture laid her hand in his without speaking.
rble / suppose made big eyes at this incomT
,ugh bensibie scene l tried to extricate my fnq