St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1863-10-15
r2Otouching behind the" dense foliage,
Nth head erect, aXd ears wide 1epen. We

+
,1iith head erect, aHd ears wide aepen, We
find Aunt Debby, a spiuster, SITTER Of Col.
,Morton's. =, She, was returning from Wis
it Of coincidence to sick neighbor when
Smith entered the arbor, and knowing
that her brother had prohibited their clan
dsssiae meetings, she deemed it her duty
to listen and report to hin. ). but ere the IN:
ter view had ceased she had u,atured he.
plans, and concluded to remain mnm for
the present, and while Hattie strolled
Edown tho walk With her lover, she enter
ed Hattie's room and turned back her
watch. an hour end. retired to rher own
chamber without disturbing the family
t'Oh, the rascali" she exclaimed, when
safely within her room--''io think Of mar
Erying our little Hattie, when there are SO
many women. of his own age, why he'd
ought to have been married years and
years ago. Let's see, he's tour years old.
er than I we've grown right up here to;
gether, aud he's carried ME to apple bees
and husklns time and ag'in aud now he s
an old bachelor and I'm an old .--
Well, If l ain't his lawful, married wife
before another morning it will be my own
fault. Why, Hattie's no more fit to be
married than child, and couldn't take
half such good keer of him as 1 can, nuth-
er How mad brother Joha would be if
he knew what the scamp is up to, but I'll
outwit Linn yet.
Twelve o'clock: precisely, was the hour
fol Hattie to steal out to the arbor from
whence MIR. Smith would convey her to
an adjoining town to be married, and re=
turn to her fathers by morning, "to sur
prise them,' as he said, for, he continued,
when 1t is all over, aud they know they
can't help themselves, they will come
around all right.
Midnight came, that uitching hour of
hobgoblins, ghosts and spectres. Hattie
had awakened, but finding, on looking at
her, watch, that it was but eleven, she sat
down with book to while away the 1e-
manning hour. In the arbor Sat Aunt
Dolby, bolt upright, waiting with COM
mendable patience her lovers arrival
She was enveloped in Hattie's bonnet and
shawl, thick veil concealing her features.
Presently carriage drew up to the gate,
from which Mr.. Stnit!, alighted and came
to the arbor with stately step. -
"My dear adorable girl" he exclaimed
as he caught sight of Auct Debby. Come
my angel, let us fly to the alter, and be
made one flesh. never more to be partede
Silently Aunt Debty placed her gloved
hand in his placing her in the carriage,
he seated himself by her side, and they
were whirled rapidly away to their place.
Of destination. Aunt Debby kept her
veil on, but sat silently trembling with
Suppressed merriment; all Of which he at
tribated to her agitated feelings in taking
such an important step, anu he kept; tell
ing her not to cry, Hattie dear, and press
Ing burning kisses (through her veiD on
her lips and cheeks, which caused Aunt
Debby's heart to thrill with long forgot
ten delight.
Twelve o'clock, by Hattie's watch, and
she stole softly out to the arbor her lover
was not there, but no doubt he soon would
be, and she sat down to await his coming.
An hour passed-.he did not come, aud
Hattie grew inpatient; another hour,
and the poor. sleepy child sought hel
room In tears and indignation.
But return to the runaway lovers. Aunt
Debby had requested that she might re-
main veilcd during the ceremony, to which
he consented, and the two were made one
Oh! joy unspeakable! happiness without
precedent! Morning dawned sunny and
cloudless. Col. Morton's family were at
breakfast. Hattie, with lustrous spar
kle in her. eye, drank her coffee and ate
her toast as usual. Oh, strange heart of
woman! Aunt Dcbby's absence was easi-
ly accounted for, as she had intended to
pass the night away from home. Present.
ly carriage entered the gateway, the
door bell rung, aud Col. Morton, rising to
answer it, encountered Mr.. Smith, with a
lady, deeply yelled leaning on his arm.
"Good morning, Mr.. Smith" ''ssood
morning Colonel,' he replied with a per-
ceptible grin on his usually placid counte-
nance, 'shall I have the pleasure Of pre-
sentiug to you my wife p =.
"A6! your wife, indeed" said the
Colonel, with smile Of relief.
"Put back your veil,' whispered the
happy bridegroom. She did so. Here
was surprise for more than one party. I
'What the ID is the 'ueaning of
this ?" cried Smith, staggering back with
staring eyes axed on his bride. -,
"Why, sister Deborah y exclaimed the
Col, .is it possible? ? All, Thomas, you
sly rogue, to take US all by surprise in
this way but I am sure I congratulate
you with all my heart" and the Col: ush-
cred them into the parlor and called his
wife and daughter. And Hattie-she did
not faint, nor turn pale but as she met
the merry, twinklfng eyes Of Aunt Debby
and the ludicrously woe begone counte:
nance OF the crest-fallen Smith, her com
prehensive mind took in at glance the
state Of affairs; it was too irresistably
comic, and she burst into loud peal oi
CAV. ringing laughter,