The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1869-11-18

forgot she was a young lady.
"lll take care of YOU ie said
q fash Of lightning, a roar Of thun
der, an attempt on the part Of tn.
horse to run away, interrupted
bin. Miss Dove tnrned pale
Bachelor Brown looked terrified
He cast . glance around. bin
Near the road was a parsonage
connected with It's church by .
garden. ,-g t..,., -
"Ill tell you what well do" be
said. We'll ask for shelter until
the storm is over. A clergyman
ought to be Christian enough u
take Us in" 49,
And driving TO the gate. he ask
ed Miss Dove to alight. As b,
did so, two hired men rushed out
and began to attend TO the horse
and vehicle, and an old lady and
gentleman appeared upon the
steps.
$50 glad you're early enough Ia
escape the worst Of the storm
said the gentleman.
"Do come in" said the old lady
"We were expecting you; for on
such occasions, people always
keep their appointments, rain or
sunshine, l believe"
What on earth does she mean?''
said Bachelor Brown. "But lie
very kind of them," and so, while
The old lady hurried Miss Dove
away to dry her things, he sat
with the old clergyman in the par.
lor. -.
"Do you feel at all nervous
said the old gentleman, - Ia
pause. 90. \
"No, sir, thank you" said lveeh-
elor Brown.
Most men do, sir" the
clergyman. finest f1e,t
"Yes, lightning is q nertuusTJfl
of a thing" said Bachelor Brown
II did not allude 10 the storm, >
"Indeed, sir"
"But to the approaching ccre.
mony."
"Eh?" said Bachelor Brown.
"ln your noto, you know, you
told me that you were too nervous
to stand up before the whole con-
grcgation in church, and preferred
a quiet wedding at my house" said
the old man.
Bachelor Brown stared st him
In astonishment. The truth dawn.
ed upon him.
"You expected a-young cou.
plc?' he said.
"oh. you are quite young
enough, sir" said the innocent
clergyman. "And I must say the
young lady seems q very chrming
person.
Bachelor Brown felt himself
blush '''i f''-8
Should you think she would
make a good wife2' he asked.
"Undoubtedly," said The clergy.
man.
"And you think q man is--hap-
pier-for-enteriDg the nuptial
stateH' bo inquired,
mo man can bo happy without
so doing, and it is every mans du.
ty,"" said the old gentleman, believ-
ing every word he said.
"She is q dear little thing"
thought Mr.. Brown to himself
II never liked a girl so much. It's
very awkward to explain. won.
der whether" n. .a
| And Just then Miss Dove cnter.
ed the room, looking angelic
without ber bonnet, 10 Mr.. Brown
f"l have something TO say to you,
Miss Dove" no said.
"Dear me-" said Miss Dove.
They've mado a mistake" said
Bachelor Brown. "They think
we we've are-are people they
expect. A-a-yOung couple, you
know, about to-"
"Ob; dear, do they?" whispered
! Miss Dovo.
"Yes," said Bachelor Brown
Nov it would be very awkward
for me to explain, and | like you
so much. Couldn't you like me,
too, and let him do it-eh2"
"Do what, Ar. Brown" said
Amanda. ....
Marry u.s." said Bachelor
Brown.
.Ot course not" said Amanda,
"what would the Hinkles say?"
"They'd be delighted" said
Richard, growing bolder. Then
he put his arm around her waist.
IL don't know much about this
sort OF thing; but you are the only
nice girl | ever saw. Please do,
I'm not such a-bad fellow. I'll be
good to you"
II know youare good" said
Amanda: "but-"
But then I'm ugly-oh2 said
Richard.
"Ah, no--not at all"
"Well?" "...
ut would be so odd
"Well," said Bachelor Brown,
rhat's my fault, and they know
I'm odd, my dear"
Four hours after, tho Hinkles
heard the light wagon drive to the
door, and rushed out TO greet
Amanda. ....
"We've been SO alarmed" said
Mrs. Hinkle.
But Amand. said nothing.
Uncle Richard too 'shrank, as
though he we're afraid of some
thing.
Tell EN-, Amanda" he said.
"No, you tell them. Richard" )"
said Amanda.
The Hinkles listened in amaz
ment