The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1869-08-11
"Why don't some man try his luck?"

'fShe is, sir"
"Then goodbye for me-"
tNot at all; she is rapturous ovel
your likeness, and sends her cousinly
love with an invitation to visit her.
pledge you I omitted not a single gooG
: point in your body and character.
ttDo you consider her daguerreotypi
accurate P"
81 can tell you it don't fatter her
She has extraordinary beauty, and the
kind that is more striking in anima
ton of conversation"
While mutual friends in Centreville
were lauding my fair cousin, mutual
friends in indianapolis were decided
in the eulogies for me and preparing
her mind for an alliance.
1 am not very self conceited. Be.
lieving such concord must be born OF
an obvious fact. 1 settled ON an idea OF
marrying this wonder in beauty, soul
and accomplishment.
My intent was quickly confirmed
upon hearing that a very wealthy and
influential banker from Gotham was
in the melting mood. I remembered
it was midnight. limited from my
store the last of batch of loungers,
and selected the best stationery in the
establishment. / was to write my first
letter to Kate.
From all that had passed fine
style was easy, 1 always flattered
myself on my syntaX, and will egotis-
tically affirm that my missive was at
once tender, judicious dignifed, wild
and intense. 1t struck her very much
like an electric shock. The banker
was laughed out Of competition, and
your humble servant was master OF
the situation.
Such reply as received Well
you must see it-you shall see it
1 haze very good gas works, but am
inadequate In a brief time we knew
that each knew the other well. The
mnch said by so many mutuals super
added to our daguerreotypes and let
ters, made us comprehending couple.
In fact, we confess our love-a full
round, ripe and lucious article. There
could be no unsafety in the case. Our
lineage was in common and every fact
known. What followed is very clear
an engagement-yes, between un-
seen lovers and cousins.
Il was dying to fold her to my
heart, but my solus condition and ma
turing appointments postponed it in
definitely.
"What did you say?" Why didn't
she visit one of her friends at Center
vile? 81 answer you cheerfully. She
was an odity. She had her notions
and would entertain them. Though
we we're plighted she declared that it
should not be said she made the first
visit. Many believed she was right.
L don't argue the point but merely
answer a question.
Weeks passed, letters were numer
Gus and copiously saccharine. The
time arrived when could endure my
single condition no longer. What if
some one were to cut me out at the
eleventh hour? With such love what
would become of me? 1 was deter
mined to own her, even if 1 did not
see her for decade.
An idea dawned-a brilliant one. l
was determined to compass a speedy
marriage AID satisfy her thirst for TO-
nance. After flood Of tenderness,
by way of dramatic perforation, 1 wrote,
g, my adored one let us depart
from the stale routine, and wed by
telegraph
The idea took her by storm. Her
answer was characteristic. 1t ran
1 ,ciA.' The idea is
savory, but is it legal?
Immediately I sent for my friend,
the Judge. Soon as he faced me,
said l want to know if a marriage by
is legal?
Certainly, sir; I sec no objections
to a contract by telegraph. 1 readily
perceive how all the requirements can
be accomplished"
"Will you state this opinion on pa
per, and prescribe formuly of an cleo
tric weddingW
"Nith pleasure"
The judge understood me and glad
y complied The result 1 forwarded
@ Kate by return mail, and soon re-
,eived word that on the following
Thursday she and proper authority
would present themselves at the In
lianapolis office according to said for
nula there to enter upon the holy e5-
ate of matrimony
l tell you the appointed day was a
great one among the mutual friends at
,ach end of the wire. The affair was
o novel, that all else was eclipsed by
he contemplation of it. Il
Clergymen and witnesses assembled
t the termini. There in full custom
wo unseen lovers were made man
nd wife. The instrument began its
ick-tick-tickings. The operator read,
he clergyman put questions, 1 answer
ID, the instrument did more work, 6
nd soon l was saluted as the husband
# Kate Leary. Happy was 1; al I
houg il the possessor of lady 1 never 6
eheld. II
One week passed, and 1 was still 1
'ithout help. My brain was becom- t
lg phrenzied. 1 must see Kate, and !
must go to her first, and well did l 1 I
now what a Leary was. t
By entreaty 1 prevailed upon t
rother merchant to loan me his best J.
Jerk. Soon as he put his foot in the v
tore, put mine in a stage, enroute "
'r the capital of Indiana. When il
bout twelve miles from the city, we
topped for a passenger. 1t was a /
oung lady. Such a being I never be- P
eld. She resembled my likeness of t
late, but was far more beautiful. / "
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