Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1866-12-13
NO. II.


at seems 81 sir" replied, not knowing
what else 10 say.
GLOW bong Do youcxpect to stay = he asked.
IL was about to go as you came in said.
| II may as well do 80 now
"Not yet,n he said, sharply. "You seem 50
fond of my house that I'll give you more of 1t
than Won bargained for warrant you, how
ever. you'll not find my cellar as comfortable
With this he turned of and locked the door
on me. | looked around the cellar for some o.
ther mode of egress. but could find none. lt
was close, well-built cellar, lighted only by
one grated window. 1t was clean and we'll
arranged, but quite cold. Finding that ! had
NJ means of escape, seated myself on n box
and tried to make the best Of my condition.
In short time discovered that the majors
stock of wine was stored in the cellar. Select
ing bottle of prime old Port, took out tho
stopper with my knife, and paid my respects
toit had no idea how long | was 70 DO
kept there.
About four O'clock in the afternoon the door
at the head Of the steps opened, and Major
Shorter made his appearance.
"Weu, Mr.. Sturgis,' said he mockingly.
show do you ike your quarters :?
"very much, sir,ea ! replied, with an air OF
much concern. II say major, this is capital
old Port you have here
"rhunderp shouted the major, "you have
not been TO my wine have you%
II have taken that liberty, TO enliven the mo-
notony of my position" | answered, laughing.
"You have the advantage of me there" said
the major, after pause "You are not worth
bottle of good Port. Come up, and III let
you 90 home"
81 assure you am very we'll satisfied, sir.
replied.
'Come up, and be off from here, say ex-
claimed the old man, angrily
I went up stairs, carrying with me the bot
tie from which had been drinking. As
reached the head of the stairs the old man broke
into laugh.
"You've been too much for me to-day, Stur-
ois he said. eco home now, and don't ro-
peat your visit
went out Of the house and returned homo.
A few days after this received note from
Jenny, telling me that her father was about to
take her to Europe with the hope OF getting
rid Of me. This brought matters to crisis,
and we determined TO set aside litr fathers un-
Just opposition, and take tho responsibility OF
marrying.
Everything was in readiness. The carriage
was at the cross street near Jenny's home, and
was waiting near the door for her. She camo
out soon, and VIC hurried towards the carriage.
II was quite dark when we got there and help
ing Jenny Tito it, ordered the driver to take
us TO the Rev. Mis- house. had hardly
gotten into the carriage, when somo one on ths
front seat, whom had not noticed before, said.
quietly:
upon my life, this is COOL"
Jenny gave scream Of alarm, and recog-
nized the voice Of Major Shorter. He had dis
covered our plans, and had taken his seat in the
carriage for the purpose of thwarting them.
"And so you two fools are going to be mar
ried, and without my consents"
"You have unjustly withheld it, Major Shor-
ter" said, land we have determined to act
ourselves. You have no right 10 act to-
warls us from such groundless prejudices."
expected an angry retort. but the old man
spoke very mildly when he rtp.ied:
"I have been thinking during the last half
hour. Mr.. Sturgis" he said, "that have not
a tel ri, h about this matter. Twill be jlst to-
wards YOU. Get out now, and let the carriage
take us home, and come TO see me in the NOR
ming. promise YOU you shall have no cause
to complain Of me"
He held out his hand to me, took il most
gladly, and bidding both parties good night.
left the carriage.
The next day called on the major, and bc-
fre left we arranged matters to our entire
satisfaction He agreed to put me on proba-
ton fpr six months more, and promised that If
at the end of that time was steady and descr-
wing, Jenny should be my wife. ] passed tho
ordeal, married Jenny, and never bad better
friend than her father proved. This, dears, Is
how won my wife. No doubt you think it
a very queer courtship; and SO it was, so il
was but it brought me a dear good wife.
Uncle Richard fell to poking the fire again,
and we all listened to the storm once more.