Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1869-08-18

| IL was no matter Whlen one mad, as atfec-
ton could make 10 choice"
''On lovely evening in September, one
sister was from home. Now, thought L,
here is a surety that / can talk a whole eve-
ming to one of this dual phenomenon. As
she entered the parlor, said I, How do you
do, Miss Hannah?' You are wrong, sir; it
is Miss Sue. Are you humbugging?' Truly
not; | tell you sincerely. You now address
Sue Grover. l saw she was looking unusu-
ally tender, and taking advantage of her
| faltering voice and tremulous manner, de-
clared my love, and she returned it with all
the ardor of her true and impassioned ma
| ture. | summoned the old folks; told our
| devotion; gave prospects, and made the es-
sential revelations. The senior Growers gave
us their blessings, and assured US that they
would see our course of true love should
run smooth
But what if that other girl should come
in? What pretty mix How would | ever
know my girl? Though again | assure you
| it would make no difference. / would have
! proposed to Hannah just the same. My
| oi.'v trouble was in the multitude of embar-
rassments incident to non-distinguishment.
; On this ground | had genuine trouble.
Before Hannah returned, l invited Sue
TO take walk on the green. When oppo-
! site the centre of the church | spoke of the
betrothal ring, and requested her to let me
see the ring she wore. She took it off, and
[ careIessly played with it to throw her off
her guard-then calling her attention to a
party of students, took my knife and drew
the file blade through the inner part. 1t
left nice mark, and by this / hoped to
identify her in future. On our retlrn to
the house | secretly posted her parents.
they said that | did properly-that it was
time Sue should be recognized by her aifian-
ced
you think you are smart she said, ere
| left her.
"Why?" asked l.
50! that ring game has been tried by a
halt dozen admirers. | suspicioned what
you was at, but thought | would see how
many heads would conceive of the same
plan"
The next day neither she nor her sister
wore ring. One week after they resumed
them; but in neither was mark. 1t was
evident that was about TO be outgeneraled.
and would have to depend on the discretion
of my intended and the goodness OF their
parents.
At parties | had severe trials never
knew whom took home, would talk food
of love to the wrong girl and receive laugh
furmy enthusiasm. Hang it, said [ ''the
cream of the joke isl can't be revenged,
for | might hurt the wrong lady.
The bctrothal ring was given. Now,
thought |, there is termination to my dis
comfture. Well, it did terminate in just
twenty four hours. Hannah took Sues ring
and went to a jewelry store and ordered one
precisely like it, bearing the same insciip
ton Moreover, she charged him to see
that the engraving was counterfeited beyond
recognition. Il was done. So was [. Now
what could ] do? Had Sue been willing |
could have schemed forty devices. But she
relshed the dish, and would never cooper
ate. Wedding day came. | must take
young lady on the W ord Of herself or parents.
"WelI," said mentally, so | get one of
the girls my object is accomplished. Tie
ceremony 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 | journeyed to Niagara and
inspected several Canadian cities and towns.
"Ah!" laughed |, Hannah will not annoy
me any further" Butalas our earthly hopes.
My beloved told her the name of the New
York importer, and on our return small
hand was proffered, on which was fac sim
lie of the bridal gift. Sue now went to her
room, and attiring herself in one OF the
twin garbs, Was unable to recognize my
own wife.
Now, ladies and gentlemen, business sud-
denly called me 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 betrothal or diamond rings. There
was nothing to be gained by it, and they
were laid aside. My friends, | am extreme
ly sensitive; yet believe me- when I tell you
that the presence of Hannah was perfect
and speedy restorative. 1t was impossible
for me to weep. Was she not the same as
Sue in all respects? True, when l saw the
family sad, / was troubled; but only on ac-
count of their grief. had none of my own.
All that | loved was an exact duplicate, and
that loved before 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 matlimony, it appeared that L
was enacting farce and re- marrying my own
wifel
| A Waterbury infant named Fred went
to his mother and inquired Mother what
is gone sucker?" His mother said he
mustn't ask such questions, but Freddy per-
/ II o,I ,ro, g., H., oos.. A. I'll - 49,, l.. =.