The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1869-04-21

sent that "The course of true love
ne'er runs smooth p' 1t is my belief
that Fate has construed his words into
q prophecy, and cruelty delights in
fulfilling them. Be this as it may,
a tremendous braker appeared upon
tho current of my love, in the shape
of handsome young fellow, by namo
Augustus Beauclcrk. A disgusting,
concoited popinjay, whom hated
from the very first moment beheld
him in company with Fanny.
Now, am not ungenerous by ma.
ture, and I really believe that I could
have forgiven the fellow if he had
only loved hcr-and indeed, what was
more natural than that he should, as
we'll as the whole male population of
the country and city, to boot? But
that he should have presumed to rival
me in Fanny's affections-I who had
loved her before she was out Of her
long clothes. Hounds 1t was more
than human nature could brook, in
fact, when, as was frequently the case,
be would thrust himself between us,
and with his mclo-dramatic airs, his
ringlcts, his band-boxy clothes and
perfumery, he would contrive to lay
me completely in tho shade. 1t re-
quired tho greatest amount of self
control to keep my fingers off his
throat.
What made the matter worse still,
Fanny herself, instead of sharing my
sentiments with regard to the cox
comb, would pronounce him Glove
of creature-a perfect Apollo Bel
videre," &c. sometimes ventured
to demonstrate with her on the impro-
priety of receiving the attentions of
one man, while engaged to become the
wife of another, whereupon the pro-
voking little witch would stop me,
either by thrusting sugar-plum into
my mouth, or by laughing at me for
being enyious of the superiority of my
rival.
There had not, as yet, been any
time specified for the contamination of
our marriage. Indeed, whenever was
SO fortunate as to find Fanny without
guests, or otherwise engaged, uncle
John was sure to want partner at
chess, or else got up an interminable
discussion on politics, besides which,
it was the especial delight of two
juvenile imps in the family (confound
ther,) to prevent. by all possible de-
vices, anything like a tete a tete be-
tween their sister and myself.
Thus matters continued up to the
date at which my story opens, wherein
/ described my setting forth to escort
my cousin Fanny to the ball. be-
'lieved [ demonstrated that my blood
was at fever heat--any wonder if it
were truea Was I not the accepted
suitor Of darling cousin Fanny? Was
[ not about to have her society all
alone to mayself-no rivals to par,
take of my happiness hated
Beauclerk to rob me Of her smiles
and more, was / not about to learn
from Fanny's own lips, the day-the
supreme day-that was to crown me
the happiest among mortals.
My horses, rs if they shared my
impatience, flew like the wind over
the road, and soon the cleaning lights
from Uncle Johns windows were visi-
BILE; moment more, ,and ! had bound
ed to the floor of the portico.
Uncle John speotaoles on his nose,
and open newspaper in hand, pre-
sented himself i'll the doorway.
"Come in George" he said, giving
me hearty squeeze of the hand, "I
want to read you what those audacious
scoundrels have been doing in Con.
gress."
"I bog you will excuse me to-
night" responded I, following him to
tho parlor, "I have come to carry
cousin Fanny to the ball." and 1
glanced around the room at the fore
mentioned youngsters, whose faces
were now distorted by q diabolical
grin. aa "
"What ~ cried uncle John, with
an air of astonishment, s'the devil
take me but you are too late, then"
"Too late You don't mean to say
that Fanny has gone :" I gasped out,
almost choking with apprehcnsions.
eyes, she left about ten minutes
ago with Augustus Beauclerk."
Great Jehovah! But I must leave
you to imagine my sensations at this
intelligence, as it would be impossible
for me to describe them. With set
eyes and clenched fists, I rushed from
the house, and throwing myself into
the carriage, slammed the door after
me with such violence that the horses
took fright ct the noise, and dartiug
forward before old Tom could tighten
the reins, ran against the gate, shiver-
ing it to pieces,and,wellnigh overturn.
ing the carriage. Then, amidst tho vo-
alterations of tho assembled household,
the barking of curs, and the oaoklipg
of, poultry, we once moro took the
road to the city, ,ar.., III.
In thirty.eight minutes and fifteon
seconds exactly, I landed at the door
steps of friend G's house, now all
ablaze with, gaslight, and resonant
with the music Of q fine band. My
feelings, as you may suppose, were