Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1862-05-08
THE LAME BRIDE.
BY wx. r. eILcHRIsT.

ton, stopped for moment to allow g
gentleman to alight and sped on its
way again.
The passenger thus left gazed for
moment in astonishment at the diminu-
tive village. and then, with look any
thing but pleasant, proceeded on bis
way.
Richard Meade, or, as he was more
commonly called, Dick Meade, was
yeung gentleman about twenty-five
years Of age; rich, good looking and
generous. Ever since be had donued
a coat Dicks life had been passed in
an endless round of fashionable amuse-
ments. Riding, feating. and flirting
had been the order of the day. until
Dick was fairly surfeited with this end
less round of amusement, and he longed
for a change, for something different
But where was he to go for change?
He would 90 to Saratoga. No, for, If
ANYTHING, that would be worse than
the city. Then he bethought himself
of trip to the country. and taste OF
the pleasures of rural life. He would
bury himself in the solitude Of the for
est and recuperate his energies. he
had often heard his father speak Of an
old college chum who had retired to the
country. so he resolved to visit Mr..
Stewart, and, having been rendered an
invitation, he set out for B. He
had also heard of Mary, Mr. Slewart's
daughter, but did not expect much
companionsbip from an awk ward coun-
try girl.
Dick trudged slowly along, stopping
every now and then to wipe the pers-
piration from his forehead. As he
walked along he soliloquised to himself
somewhat in this fashion.
well, here am, out in the country
at last. Confound the dusty roads, /
almost regret l did not follow sister
Ems advice and accompany her to
Saratoga, as all my friends wanted me
to. And then this Mary Stewart l
suppose is a coarse. plumpy country
pirl. with shrill voice, hands large
enough to make dozen of mine, and
only ft to be in the kitchen. | sup
pose | shall be inflicted with her usual
twang and awkward manner all sum-
mer long. Still l don't know but that
it will be as fully agreeable as the af-
fected tones Of Miss Brown, or the gri-
maces Of the widow Simpson. Heigh
hoi | declare this walk has given me
quite an appetite. and shall have
relish fer my supper. ALL here we
are
He stopped before large, old-fash-
Toned house, one of those comfortable
places with high trees surrounding 1t,
giving it a cool and deliciously calm as
spect. Very slowly Dick assembled the
high steps, for the walk had quite tired
the fashionable city gent.
He paused moment before knock
ing to adjust his neck-tie. and then
raised the huge brass knocker which
came down with such bang that Dick
started in alarm. In moment q neat,
tidy looking servant came to the door
and ushered him into tly-furnished
parlor. On couch within this parlor
lay young lady. For a moment Dick
fairly held his breath, so surprised and
enchanted was he at the beautiful be-
ing before him. He stsmmered out
something about his wishing to see Mr..
Stewart.
BE seated, sir. Ny father is at the
village, but will return soon.'
Your father?' asked the amazed
Dick. Are you Mary Stewart?'
Il am
This was the very climax Of Dicks
surprise.
Pray be seated, SIR said Mary.
Dick mechanically obeyed, and sat
down upon his beaver.
L suppose this is Mr.. Meade Of whom
my father spoke?'
Yes was all that Dick could mus.
ter courage to say.
But be soon forgot al his embarras'
ment as Mary skillfully led him into ar
easy and agreeable conversation. Still
Dicks eyes never wandered from Ma
ry's face during that whole afternoon
It was face Of great beauty tina
he gazed upon. Long, sweeping lash
es fell gently over an eye of blue;
mouth of exquisite sweetness, will
red pouting lips; wealth of brown
ringlets, which clustered round brow
of alabaster whiteness, and a complex
ion fair and radiant as the first blush o
morn. This was Mary Stewart; quit,
different from the picture Dick hat
drawn Of brown skin. pug nose. Dump
figure, and nasal twang.
Dick was enchanted, bewildered, fas
cinated, and quite forgot his appetite
until called to bis senses by the suppe
bell. At the table Dick looked i
vain for Mary, and much to bis chagrir
she did not make her appearance, so b
contented himself with playing th
aereesble to Mrs. Stewart. After th
meal had been dispatched, Dick re
turned to the psrlor where be foun
Mary lying on the sofa the same as
the afternoon.
well. upon my word thought Dicl
she is very lazy or else suffering froI
a severe headache
The evening was beautiful, the moo
shedding brilliant light on all srount
making a second day. Dick sat g.
zing out upon the beauty of the nigh
and allowing the cool evening breei