The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1868-01-08
ing what else to say.
"How long do you expect to stay 2" he

ing what else to say.
'How long do you expect to stay 2" he
asked.
II was about to go as you came in"
said, 81 may as we'll do SO now"
''Not yet," he said sharply. "You seem
so fond of my house that I'll give you
moro of it thar you bargained for. |
warrant you, however, that you'll not
find my cellar as comfortable as my par
lor."
"With this he turned off and locked
the door on me. l looked around the
cellar for some other mode of cgress, but
could find none. 1t was IL close, well
built cellar, lighted by only one grated
window. 1t was clean and we'll arranged,
but quite cool. Finding that HAD no
means of escape, ] seated myself on a
box and tried TO make the best ofmy con-
dtion. In a short time discovered that
the Ma aors stock of wine was stored in
the cellar. Selecting bottle Of prime
old Port, took out the stopper with my
knife and paid my respects to it. | had
no idea how long [ WAS to be kept there.
"About four o'clock in the afternoon.
the door at the foot of the steps opened:
and Major Shorter mado his appearance.
"Well, Mr.. Sturgis," said he, mocking.
ly, chow do you like your quarters ?"
"Very much, sir" replied with an air
of unconcern. 81 say, Major, this is cap
tal old Port you have here.'
"Thun,lcr shouted the Major, "you
have not been to my wine, have you p
~ have taken that liberty to cnlivcn
the monotony of my position,' [ answer
ed, laughing.
You have tho advantage of me there
said the Major, after a pause. ''You are
not worth bottle of good Port. Come
up, and I'll let you go homc.'
81 assure you l am very well satisfied,
sir" l replied.
"Comc up, and be off from here, I say"
exclaimed the old man, angriy.
81 went up stairs, carrying with me the
bottle from which l had been drinking.
AZ reached the head of tho stairs, the
old man broke into laugh.
"You've been too much for me to-day.
Sturgis," he said. "Go home now, and
don't repeat your visit"
81 went ont of the house and returned
home. 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 deter
mined to set aside her fathers unjust op
position, and take tho responsibility of
marrying
"Evcrything was in readiness. The
carriage was at the cross street near Jcn-
ny's home, and I was waiting near the
door for her. She came out soon, and we
hurried to the carriage. 1t was quite
dark when we got there, and helping Jen-
ny into it, ordered the driver to take us
to the Rev. Mr.. IS house. ! had
hardly gotten into the carriage, when
some one on the front scat, whom l had
not.noticcd before, said. quietly:
"Up pom my lie. this is cool"
"Jenny gavo scream Of alarm, and l
recognized the voice of Major Shorter.
He had discovered our plans, and had ta-
ken his seat in the carriage for the pur.
pose Of thwarting them.
And so You two fools arc going to be
married, without my consent?
You have unjusly withheld it, Major
Shorter I said, and we have detcrmin-
ed to act for ourselves. You have no
right to act towards us from such ground
less prctudiccs.' ="
al expected an angry rctort, but the
old man spoke very mildly when he re-
piled.
Il have been thinking during tho last
half hour, Mr. S,urgis" he said, that !
have not acted right about this matter.
/ will be Just towards you. Get out now
and let the carriage take us home, and
come TO see me in tic morning. l prom
ise YOU, You shall have no cause to COM
plain of me-
O. lie held out his hand to mo; took
it most gladly, and bidding both parties
good night, left the carriage"
The next day | called on the major.
and before I left him we arranged mat
tors to our entire satisfaction. lcagrced
to put me on probation fer six months
more, and promised if at he end of that
inc was steady and deserving, Jenny
should be my wife. / passed the ordeal,
married Jenny, and never had better
friend than her father proved. This.
dcars, is how I won my wife. No doubt
you think it rather queer conrtShlp i;
and SO it was; but it brought me dear,
good wife"
Uncle Richard fell to polling the fire
again, and we all listened to tho storm
once more.