Democratic enquirer. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1867-1873, 1869-05-19

| ing voice and tremul0us manner, declar-
ed my love, and she returned ii with all the
ardor Of hertrue and impassioned nature.
! ] summoned the old folks; told our devo-
ton; gave prospects, and made all essen
tial revelations. The senior Growers gave
us their blessings, and assured us that
they would see our course Of true love
SHOULD run smooth u E~
But what if that other girl were to come
in What pretty mix How would /
ever know my girl? Though 'again as
sure You it would have made no difference
1 would have proposed to Hannah just the
same My only trouble was in the multi
tude of embarrassments incident to nom
distinguishment. On this ground had Q
genuine trouble.
Before Hannah returned, / invited Sue
to take walk on the green. When OPP
posite the center of the church, spoke of
the betrothal ring, and requested her to
please let me see the ring she wore. She
took it of, and / carelessly played with it
to throw her off her guard then calling
her al tention to q party of students, took
my Congress knife and drew the file blade
through the inner part 1t left a nice
mark, and by this hoped to identify her
in future On our return to the house l
secretly posted her parents. They said that
| did properly that it was time Sue should
be recognized by her affianced
"You think you are smart said she, ere
7 left her.
"Why2" replied I.
ooh" responded she, 'that ring game
has been tried by half-dozen admirers.
s1spicioned what you were at, but thought
1 would see how many heads would con-
ceive the same plan
The next day neither she nor her sister
wore n ring. One week after they resumed
them; but in neither was there a mark. It
was evident that was to be out-generaled,
and would have to depend on the discretion
of my intended and the goodness of their
parents.
At parties had severe trials. I never
knew whom I took home, and even, when
home, would talk food Of love to the
wrong girl and receive a laugh for my en-
thusiasm. "Hang it y said /; "the cream
of the joke isl can't be revenged, for
might hurt the wrong lady"
The betrothal ring was given. Now,
thought !, there is termination to my
discomfeiture? Well, it did terminate in
Just st-twenty-four hours, Hannah took
Sues ring, went to a jewelry store and or
dered one precisely like it. and bearing the
same inscription, Moreover, she charged
him to see that the engraving was counter
feited beyond recognition, 1t was DONE
So was l. Now what could do? Had
Sue been willing, could have schemed
forty devices. But she relished the dish,
and would never cooperate. Wedding day
came must take a young lady on the
word of herself or parents "Well, said
mentally, $50 get one of the girls my
object will be accomplished. The cere-
mony was performed before an immense
throng in the largest church in the city,
The bridal dress fortunately enabled me to
adhere to one. Congratulations being over,
my bride and journeyeG to Niagara, and
inspected several Canadian cities and towns.
"Ahp said /, lovingly, to my wife, "Sue,
darling, will know you now" "How p
said she 'By the diamond ring" replied
III. "Don't be too sure, Clarence "Ah r
laughed /, Hannah will not annoy me
any further" But alas for our earthly
| hopes. Ny beloved told her sister the
name of the New York importer, and on
our return small hand was proffered, on
winch WIS IhC blnlHe Ol lne DFlIal gut.
Sue now went to her room, and attiring
herself is one of the twin garbs, | was
again unable to recognize my own wife.
Now, ladies and gentlemen, business
I-suddenly calledme to New Orleans While
there my treasure died. was Grieved, yet
from the fact that Hannah lived, my agony
was but temporary. returned two weeks
after the funeral. My sister-in-law Wore
neither betrothalnor diamond rings. There
was nothing to be gained byit, and they
were laid aside. My friends, | am eX-
tremely sensitive a mere child (; yet be.
lieve me- when tell you that the presence
of Hannah was perfect and speedy
restorative. 1t VAS impossible for me
to weep. Was she not the same as
Sue in all respects? True, when saw the
family sad, / was troubled but only on
account OF their griet. had none of my
own. All that loved was in exact dupli-
cate, and that moved before as of yore.
Yes, confess that no husband ever suffered
less.
In eighteen months stood in the same
church, and it seemed before the same con-
course. As Hannah was given to me in
the holy state of matrimony it appeared
that was enacting a farce and re.marying
MY OWN WIFE .A