The weekly standard., 1869-09-15

take q walk on the green. When opposite
the centre of the Church, spoke of, the
1 betrothal ring, and requested her to please
let me see the ring she wore. Sue tookit of
and carelessly played witt,it to throw hel
off her guard-then calling her attention to a
party of students, took my Congress knife
and drew my file blade through the inner
part. 1t left a nice mark, and by this
| hoped to identify her in future. On our re-
turn to the house secretly posted heI
parents They said that I did properly
that it was time that Sue should be recog-
nized by her affianced isfleagz o
/ "You think you are smart" said she, ere
1 left her. l- 'aa.
"Why ?" replied. eFsr q
"Oh!' responded she, shat ring game
has been tried by half dozen admirers.
suspected what you were at, but thought
would see how many heads would conceive
the same plan" ai'a9
The next day neither she nor her sister
wore ring One week after they resumed
them. but in neither was there mark. 1t
was evident that was about to be out. gen.
erald, and would have to depend on the
discretion ofmy intended and the goodness
of her parents.
At parties had several trials. l never
knew whom l took home; would talk q
flood Of love to the wrong girl and received
laugh tor my enthusiasm.
Hang it, said l, ''the cream of the joke
isl can't be reyenged, for might hurt
the wrong lady"
The betrothal ring was given. Now,
said l, there is termination to my discom-
I'll - 4
twenty-four hours. Hannah took Sues
ring, went to jewelry store and ordered
one precisely like it, bearing the inscription.
Moreover she charged him to see that the
engraving was counterfeited beyond recog-
milton. 1t was DONE So was l. Now
what would do2 Had Sue been willing
could have schemed forty devices. But she
relished the dish and would never co-ope-
rate. Wedding day came. I must take a
young lady on the word Of herself or par.
ents. "Well," said mentally, $50 1 get
one of the girls my object will be accom-
plished. The ceremony was performed be-
fore an immense throng in the largest church
in the city. The bridal dress fortunately
enabled me to adhere to one Congratula-
tions being over, my bride and l journeyed
cities and towns.
"Ahm said l lovingly to my wife, Sue,
darling, I will know you now"
"How9" said She
"By that diamond ring" replied l.
"Don't be too sure, Clarence"
"Ah!" laughed l, Hannah will not an
noy me any further"
But alas for our earthly hopes My be-
loved told her sister the name of the New
York importer, and on our return small
hand was offered, on which was O fac simile
of the bridal gift. She went to her room,
and attired herself in one of the twin garbs,
I was again unable to recognize my own
wife.
Now ladies and gentlemen, business sud-
denly called me to New Orleans. While
there my treasure died. I was grieved, vet
from the fact that Hannah lived, my agony
was but temporary. 1 returned two weeks
after the funeral. My sister-in law wore
neither betrothal nor bridal rings. There
was nothing to be gained by it, and they
were laid aside.
My friends, l am extremely sentative;
mere child; yet believe me when tell you
that the presence Of Hannah was perfect
and speedy restorative. It was impossible
for me to weep. Was she not the same Sue
in all respects True, when 1 saw the fam
lily sad, was troubled, but only on account
of their grief. had none of my own All
that l loved was an exact duplicate, and
that moved before me as of yore Yes, 1
confess that no husband ever suffered less.
In eighteen months stood in the same
church and it seemed as before the same
concourse. As Hannah was given to me in
the holy state of matrimony, it appeared
that I was acting farce, and remarrying
my own wife