Tama County Republican. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1867-1872, 1867-11-01
THE LAME BRIDE.
DY wN. f.GILCREST.

The train whizzed up 10 l. station, stop
ped for moment TO allow . gentleman to
alight, and sped on its way again The pass
enger thus left, gazed for . momert in aston,
ishment at the dimiautivc village, aud then,
with look anything but pleasant, proceeded
on his way.
Richard Meade, or, as he vas more-com-
monty known, Dick Meade, was young gen.
tleman about twenty Eve years Of age, rich,
good locking and generous Ever since he had
donned coat Dick $ life had been passed in
an endless round Of fashionable amusement.
Riding, feas,ing and dirt,ag had been the
order Of the day, until Dick was fairly sur
feited with this endless round of amusement,
and he lsnged for = change, for something
different. Fut where was he to 60 for change?
He would go to Saratoga. No, for anything
that would be worse than the city. Then he
bethought himself Of tripto the country.
and taste Of the pleasures Of rural life. He
would bury himself in the solitude of the for
est and recuperate his energies. He had of>
ten heard his father speak Of an old college
chum who had retired to the country. So he
resolved to visit Mr.. Stewart, and having been
rendered an invitation he set out for b.
He had also heard Of Mary, Mr.. Stewards
daughter, but did not expect much compan
ionship from an awk vard country girl.
Dick trudged along, stopping every now
and then to wipe the Precipitation from his
forehead. As he walked along, he solilo-
auized to himself some what after this fash
ion.
"Well here am, out iu the country 1t
last. Confound the dusty roads. almost
regret did no, follow sister En- s advice and
accompany her to Saratoga, as all my friends
wanted me to. And then this Mary Stewart
suppose is coarse, dumpy country girl,
with shrill voice, hands large enough to
make dozen Of mine, and only fit to be in
the kitchen. l suppose l shall be inflicted
with her usual twang and awkward manners
al summer long. Still don't know but that
it will be fully as agreeable as the affected
tones Of Miss Brown, or the grimaces Of wid-
ox Simpson. leigh no! declare this walk
has given me an appetite, and l shall have
relish for my supper, All here We are"
He stopped before . large old fashioned
house, one Of those comfortable places with
high trees surrounding it, giving it cool
and delicious calm aspect. Very slowly Dick
4scended the high steps, for the walk had
quite tired the fashionable city gent. He
paused moment before knocking to adjust
his neck-tie, and then raised the huge brass
knocker, which came down with such bang
that Dick started in alarm. In moment
neat, tidy.looking servant came to the door
and urshef1d hip into neatly furnished par.
lor. On couch within this parlor lay
young lady. For moment Dick fairly held
his breath, SO surprised and enchanted was
he at the beautiful being before him. He
stammered out something about his wishing to
see Mr.. Stewart.
s"Be seated, sir. Ny father is atthe village
bat will return soonr ftsF8
"Your father r asked Dick. "Are you Mary
Stewart :" 4
"I am"
This Was the climax Of Dicks surprise.
"Prsy be seated, cir" said Mary.
Dick mechanically obsyed, and sat down
upon his beaver.
II suppose this 10 Mr.. Meade, Of whom my
father spoke2" 4 ..as sss
EYES,, Was al Dick could muster courage
TO say.
But be soon forgot his embarrassment as
Mary skillfully led him into an easy and
agreeable conversation. Still Dicks eyes
never once wandered from Mary . face during
that whole afterneon.o It was face Of great
bssaty that he sazsd upon. Long, sweeping
lSshss fsll gently over N eye Of blue; :
mouth, of exaisits swestasss, with rsd, poutipg
lips; wealth Of brown ringlets, which clus-