The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-11-11
Sfliseellaneous.
HOW I WON MY WIFE.
by WILLIAM TREMAINE.

Jessie Hale was the merriest, prettiest
most provoking daughter Of Eve that eve
cxistei-at least, thought so-though per
baps was not an impartial judge, as | mus
confess was deeply in love,-and. in fact
don't remember Of time when was no
in love with her. It certainly was no
when q younsster OF twelve took her under
my especial care. feeling prouder OF my cur
ly.headed charge than l could now OF 4
mine Of gold: nor when tall awkward bo,
of sixteen, | first ventured to ask Tor he
company home from church; or still latel
when. after four years absence, returned
to my native town and set up as surgeon
in the house where DR.. Moore's name hat
been since my earliest recollection.
Oakdalc was rcnarkably healthy place
or else the good people felt a little afraid o.
trusting their lives in the hands of such q
young scape-grace as they had known me Il
be, for somehow my horse and gig founc
more employment in carrying Jessie Hale Il
ride than any more profitable business; ant
it is certain more of my time was spent ir
Mr.. Hale's pleasant parlor than IN either
the study or practice of medicine. Some o
the ncighbors silly remarked that | mus
have very sick patient there to occasion
such frequent visits; and was certain thu,
if had no patient there, all tho patience
ever had was required there at times; for %
all the tantalizing little wretchcs that cvc1
fascinated and provoked poor iellow-nn
ul he could not have told whether he was IL
tho bo iy or out OF it-Jossie II, lie was th'
worst.
And there was I-William Trcmaine-
standing ak feet two in INV stockings, big
enough to have known better, that is sure
led about by that little elf, coming and go
ing ut her every beck and call, AS IL | were
a gecat simplcton, as in truth I must have
been. for after playing "yonrs most devoted
ly" for six months, was TO nearer winning
than ut first. Upen-hearted and candid SHE
was on every other subject: but jus. lot mc
speak Of love or marriage, and might just
as we'll talk to stone wall for all the sense
| could get from her. No matter how eau
tious.y might approach the subject. che
WIS always ready with some of hand ans
wer ~ lar from what wanted rs the eqna
tor from tho poles, until was almost in de-
spiir, but more eager after any failure. "Al
is fair in love or war;" or at last | though,
so, and resolved to try the result Of strategy
on my wiliul little lady.lovc.
Ono fine morning, rs we were about start
iny for ride on horseback, and was assist
ins Miss Jessie into the saddle, her hors.
c,mmnnced rearing and kicking at on alarm
in, rate: of course the jagged bits Of iron
hal cautiously inserted beneath the saddle
4 -. 10. ..,.t tk sS n.,k kl,, al,.
was fairly seated he had become perfectly
unm ma geable, throwing her violently frou
the saddle; Of course caught her before
she touched the ground. No sooner was sh'
in s,fety, than, with deep groan, stag
gered hack against the fence, my right aru
han ,ing helpless by my side. 1t took nice
", for Jessie was beside inc In moment
40 Will" she said piteously, "that terri
BILE horse has broken your arm; what vii
you do? Poor viii! poor VIII"
How like rascal felt ut sight OF her
distress; but was not going to give up thon
50 answered with another terrible groau
at j. nothing. dear Jessie. I would suffer {
thous md times more to fecl that | had saved
your precious liie." i.
"But oh, an 90 sorry? What can b,
done for you she said in such touching &C
cents, that hale repented.
"The end justi6es the MEANS" thought
The end accomplished certainly did. Ny
answer was low and faint, as II | was jus
DYING
"Only tell mo that you love me, Jessie
darling: il will sootho my pain more thar
anything else in the world" And then lik'
the great simpleton that was. I put tha
right arm around her, and never discovered
my mistake until shO sprang suddenly away
from mo.
"wouldn't littlo brandy and water d.
ns we'll, Mr.. Tremaine?" she said archly
"Thcre don't soon to be any bones broken
the injury was internal, should think"
Wouldn't have sold myself for q six
pence But thcro was no help for ID, 90
had to own tho trick, and won't home wish
ing | had broken my arm or neck, I didnr
care much which. After that. for while
was rather shy Of tho love subject. for die
not fancy hearing Of my last attempt: bu
s.out OF the abundance Of the heart, th,
mouth spcaketh,' and my heart was 90 ful
of nv love for Jessie Hale that I could mol
6,,cs nv tonvuo TO keen ailence verv lon0