The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1863-02-25
le would undoubtedly have entered into

ling an agreeable impression; but, as he
was only shy young man, under the en-
barrassing influences of love at first sight
he swallowed the water, steam engine
fashion, and rushed down the shady path
almost desperate with admiration for the
pretty school ma'am.
"That girl must be Mrs. Meredith Gray,
or I'll live and die an old bachelor!' he
exclaimed as he sprang upon his horse.
The self-same evening he indited an
epistle to Abiram Wilson, stating that he
had seen niece in question, and fallen des-
perately in love with her, but that he had
not courage enough~to state his wishes
without some previous explanation that
that-in short, would Mr.. Wilson be SO
very good as to favor him with an intro
ductory note; and place him under eternal
obligations?
Two or three days afterward During
which Meredith kept away from the school
house, lest by premature haste he should
lose his prize there arrived missive,
written in sprowling characters on an i'm
mense sheet of foolscap, to the following
effect.
/" DEAR KEZIAH!
sThis is to make you acquainted with
Mr.. Meredith Gray, who wants to get
married, and thinks you would suit. He
has got property, and is, in every way, a
good match. Hoping that this may find
you we'll and happy, | remain your loving
uncle, =" ADRIAN WILSON.
ssRather abrupt thought Meredith,
as he pursued the succinct epistle of Abb
ram, "hut no doubt she understands her
uncles peculiarities. Let me see: it is
four o'clock. School is out, by this time,
I suppose. Look here, little fellow!'' he
said, addressing an apple-cheeked youth
who was descending the hill with a satchell
over mis- shoulder, ''can you tell me where
Miss Keziah Wilson lives?"
"The school ma am? guess likely can
Mlster-she lives in that white house un-
der the chestnut trees, yonder!"
Gray rewarded the boy with silver
piece, and rushed into the inn, to give his
hair parting brush, ere he set out on his
eventful errand.
How his heart beat, as the iron knocker
came down with frightful resonance on
the door! Man though he was, he would
have given fifty dollars for the privilege
of running away! But he bracei up his
fainting courage by the recollection of the
school ma ANS dimpled beauty, and stood
his ground braycly, when hoek-nosed
old lady came to the door.
as Miss Kesiah at homer"
s'My darter? yes!"
"Fates! whata mother in-law!' thought
Meredith, as he acceded to the old lady S
invitation to .swalk in,". and gave her the
letter; with a request that she would de-
liver it to her daughter. She promised
to do so, and left him low -cciled parlor
hung round with gay Scriptural prints,
and strongly perfumed with vases of south
ern wood.
Five minutes went by-tcn minutes-a
quarter of an hour, and nobody appeared.
1t seemed like an age, to the restless lover,
who paced the room in agony of impa-
tience, now execrating the dillatory habits
of all woman kind, and now wondering
whether it could be possible that the
young lady was offended at the blunt
| frankness of his wooing. At last, howev-
er the door opened, and in walked
Not the blue eyed school ma am, but an
angular old maid, red haired and freckled.
her bony arms encircled with huge gold
bracelets, and her gaunt figure attired in
stiff silk dress, which rustled and creaked
at every step. She sank sentimentally
into chair, and applied smelling bottle
to her nose with an excellent imitation OF
maiden bashfulness, murmuring:
Really, sir-my uncles letter-so an
expected-
Meredith gazed at her in mute aston
ishment.
ssCertainly this is rather singular
courtship," she sighed, s'but / am not one
to trammel the hearts fresh impulses with
conventional chains. Need [ speak the
feelings of my soul? need I say, sir, that
am yours2"
just as there was imminent danger OF
the ancient damsel's throwing herself upon
his breast, Meredith recovered his voice,
and exclaimed, retreating into the farthest
corner of the room:
"But my worthy madam, l don't want
to marry yoal Here is some mistake. !"
"Not want to marry me!'' shrieked the
spinster.
sNot by any means-you are the wrong
persons altogether. Don't, my good soul
dont!"
But it was useless to deprecate the COM
ing catastrophe. Miss Keziah went into
strong Mysteries. Mrs. Wilson rushed in
and Meredith skunk out, almost at the
same moment.
"What does it all mean7" he CALCULATED
wiping his brow, the moment he was al
safe distance from the scene of action
!, I'sI'm not the victim of horrible dream
am I?'
No, for down the road directly toward.
him came the blue-eyed enchantress-tht
real fascinator of the school house-walk
ing with none other than his neighbol
Harry Wilde. Even while he stood trans
\ fixed with amazement, she disappeared
under honeysuckle, wreathed porch, ant
Harry, after receiving most distractins
little goodbye smile and nod, stood whist
ling on.
"Harry-Harry Wilde!
"Why, Meredith Gray; how on eartl
came you in this part of the worlds"
"Tell me one thing, Harry-who is tn