The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1863-01-14
A BLINDFpLD MARRIAGE.
pr oEoaoE I. AKIN.

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The elite of the court of Louis XVII, the
great monarch of France, were assembled il
i the chapel of the great Trianon 10 witness the
nuptials of Louis Count of Fraucbo Compile
Ia patural son of the king-with Lydpnie
Dutchess de Bailserne, wealthy heirafs,
The singular feature of the ceremony was
that the bridegroom eyes were bandaged with
la white ha1dkerchief
This circumstance excited the wonder of. all.
Had the bride been old and ugly they could
not have been surprised. On the contrary,
she was young and quite pretty.
Tb, king alone understood this strange
freak of the bridegroom, and though much
erraged, She prulently held his peace and suf:
fercd the ceremony to proceed.
a few words win explain the motives of
the bridegroom.
When Louis XIVth came back from his
mined to unite his son, whose yalor and dar-
ing in the war had greately pleased him, to
one of the wealthy wards of the crown
He proposed the union to the young Dutch
ess of BaiizeFpe, aad found her favorably in
elined. {. =, -
She had just come to Court, having just
emerged from the convent where she had con-
pleted her education.
She had seen the youne Count often, though
he had never designed to cast glance uponi
her. She kneg he was brave and noble, and
she thought handsome, The barsinister in
his eseutcheon was no objection. She accept.
ed him. asa ssf. f5.'t
Unfortunately Louis of Frapcho Compete,
who, like his father, was something of rep
.ohate, would not sccept her.
Ny son, said the great king, have resol-
we'd that you shall marry.'~
my worthy sir and most excellent father
returned the Count, Z hays resolved 70 do no
such thipgF =.
habit of being contradicted:
q have made formal proposition in your
name, for the hand of the Duchess of Dali
verne, and she has accepted you, said he gra-
rely.
sDppbtless,' sneered the young scapegTace,
.her taste is excellent, and could she refuse
me Perhaps itSpopld have been as yell to
have consulted my inclinations in the matter.
/ do nnt gish to marry.
Are you in love with any one r saA
Then lore my Dutchess She is nabls and
wealthy !.
I am your son; that is nobility enough !.
He bowed log as be spoke, and the King
smiled at the compliment. tAnd the jew
thrust me--whst could do with more eald ?'
she is the preiiiest woman in my court
I'm tired of pretty women; they are sl-
gays fools' p
Gonld You but see her, yop would be sure
to fall inzioxn With her.
never win see herr answered the Count,
determiDedly.
See or not, you shah marry her p cried
the King, in rage.
If do, I'll marry her with my eyes shut
returned the Count.
The King grey purple with passion.
.Hark'e Poyi You owe me obedience as
subject and q sen. It Itismy viii that You be
stow your hand upon the Dutchess dcmBali-
verne. The wedding shall take place this day
fortnight. Submit to my Eil with good
grace, and will create yen Duke on yonr
wedding day. Dare To- Sdisobey me, and gill
strip you Of ag your .s titles sSa s s lands y k
This was what had broaght the Count of
FIapcho Compte blindfolded to be married
The King smiled grimly, bAt said nothing.
The Count placed de ring upon the finger
Of bis bride, but he did not salute her, and
when the ceremony was oyer he turned his
back nuon her, took the haadkerchief from
his eyes, and walked deliberately out Of the
chapel sa1sss
Lydonie pouted her pretty lips, and Was a.
most ready to cry Will vexatidn.
The King took her in charge, escorted her
70 her carriage, apd they we're conveyed 70 the
Here you are, my deal, said the King, Con-
ducting her through the apartments he had
expressly furnished for her reospptiop here JON
are, at home
But where's my hzsband r asked l.ydonie
silly boy r muttered the King, looking
very much annoyed Never mind, my dear,
he is your husbsnd the rest win come In time.
What j. The uss ST having husband, II he