The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1866-02-20

of wine was stored in the cellar. Selectins
bottle of prime old Port, took out tho
stopper with my knife, aud paid my 1e-
spects to it. I had no idea how long I
was to be kept there.
About four o'clock in the afternoon,
the door at the head of the steps opened,
and Major Shorter made his appearance.
"Well, Mr. SturSis," said be, mocklngly
chow do you like your quarters 2"
every much, sir" l replied with at
air of unconcern. 81 say, major, this is
capital old Port you have here"
Thunder p shouted the major, ''you
have uot been at my wine, have you Y'
81 have taken that liberty, to euliveu
the monotony of my position" l answered
laughingly.
"You have the advantage of me there
said the major, after pause. "You are
not worth bottle of good Port. Com
up, and I'll let you go home"
Il assure you | am very we'll satisfied
sir"
Come up,and be off from here say.
l went up stairs, carrying with NE tie
bottle from which | had been drinkag.
As | reached the head of the stairs, the
old man broke into loud laugh.
"You've been to much for me to day,
Sturgis," he said. 60 home now and
don't repeat your visit"
went out of the house and returned
home. A few days after this | received
a note from Jenny, telling me that her
father was about to take her to Europe,
with the hope of getting rid of me- Ttis
brought matters to crisis, and we deter.
mined to set aside her fathers unjust
opposition, and take the responsibility Of
marrying.
Everything was in readiness The
carriage was at cross street near Jenny's
home, and | was waiting near the door
for her. She came out soon and we hur-
ried to the carriage. 1t was quite dark
when we got there and helping Jenny
into it, I ordered the driver TO take us to
the Rev. Mr--'s house had hardly
gotten into the carriage, when some one
on the front seat, whom I had not noticed
before, said, quietly:
Upon my life, this is cool"
Jenny gave scream of alarm, and |
recognized the voice of Mr.. Shorter. He
had discovered 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
married, and without my consent 2"
"You have uDjustly withheld it Major
Shorter, and we have determined to act
for ourselves. You have no right to act
towards US from such groundless prejus
dices."
[ expected an angry retort, but the old
man spoke very mildly when he replied,
II have been thinking during the last
half honr, Mr.. Sturgis," he said; "that I
have not acted right about this matter. 1
will be just towards you. Get out now
and let the carriage take US home, and
come to see me in the morning. | prom
ise you shall have no cause to complain Of
me-"
He held out his hand to me; l took il
most gladly, and bidding both parties
good night" left the carriage.
The next day I called upon the major,
and before left him we arranged matters
to our own satisfaction. He agreed to
put me on probation six months more and
promised if at the end of that time | was
steady and deserving, Jenny should be my
wife. [ passed the ordeal, married Jenny
and never had better friend than her
father proved. This, dears is how I won
my wife. No doubt you think it rather
queer courtship; and so it was but IL
brought me dear good wife"
Uncle Richard fell to poking the fire
again and we all listened to the storm
once more.