Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1870-02-28

blind to them.
was ready to be married, being so enthu-
siastically smitten, right 4" on that line If it
took all summer !" but prudence dictated that
we hadn't better be in hurry-folks would
talk about it, etc.,-and our decision was to
wait few months, and then settle down in
Podwick together.
Now desire to ask the masculine reader
who has a wife and babies, if his feelings were
anything like mine during the day proceeding
his investment Of FIVE or ten dollars in ministe-
rial hand for " services rendered"
II was the mos. nervous day ever expert
enced, and it being the last Of my single bess-
edness, did not furnish as much serenity as
many which had passed Yet my convictions
on the subject Of marriage were not to be shak-
en-. And may remark here that it is Try be-
lief that the man who has been on a matrimo-
NAL anxious seat for seTeral months, when
brought to within few hours of the consum-
nation devoutly wished, has as perfect and
clear an idea of bis situation as possible to hu-
man nature
" So clear, go shining. and so evident,
That it will glimmer through blind mans eyes. "
The important day and important hour ar
rived at last, and Mrs Julia Wilsouburg and
Mark Marks, Esq, of Podwick, were tied to-
gether, so to speak, and set adrift in this wide
world.
At last we found ourselves engaged in house
keeping, opposite the village green in Podwick.
We had occupied the premises two days, and
on the evening following received number Of
calls.
Mark" said Julia, before any Of our vis-
tors arrived, "I'll wear my green silk tonight,
| guess. Mr.. Wilsonburg thought green was
very becoming to me"
Anything" said |. that you please :"
but omitted to add, hang Wilsonhurg y
though had not by any means, Just that mo-
ment forgotten the deceased.
Mrs. Shutters, aged forty-nine, was our first
caller.
greeted her cordially. and introduced her
to my wife" Mrs. Shutters, Mrs. Marks"
A sign of mutual recognition followed, at
tended by looks of surprise.
"What " exclaimed Mrs. s., is this you,
Julia? thought you married John Wilson
burg, Of East Haddsm."
$50 did. but he has been dead some time, +"
responded Mrs. Marks.
Has he ?" mournfuly queried AIRS. S. and
she Immediately turned about and surveyed
my person.
Great minds run in the same channel, and
for that reason, perhaps, was thinking Of the
deceased just at this particular period Of my
existence.
The conversation on the topic introduced,
terminated abruptly by inquirins of Mrs. s., if
she had heard from her son John in the army.
Seventeen callers came and departed during
the evening, without developing anything par
ticularly new or interesting
Iobservedone thing, that they all said good
deal without saying much
When the house vas quiet, Mrs Marks sug-
ges;ed to me that she WIS afraid some Of our
visitors would think was not polite enough
and she was sorry, because on srch occasions
people were apt to indulge in severe criticisms
Then she added
When Mr. Wilsonburg and received calls
after we were married, everybody compliment
ed me upon his being so perfect gentleman" "
This remark didn't remove from my mind
any impressions had previously received rela-
tive to the memory Of the departed, but main
tanei a respectful silence.
After breakfast the nex' day Mrs NJ, asked
me | had eyereaten "ChuIlewug pudding
"No."
"Well, we'll have one to-day; think they
are the incest desert ever put upon table
Mr.. Wilsonburg used to say be never saw any
thing to equal them in all his travelling in
France"
We had one.
On the Sunday following we attended church
for the first time in Podwick y smart young
man preached the seimon.
Mrs. Marks appeared much interested, and
as she walked home, said it was the best dis
course she had listened to for a long time
" Isn't he fine looking man ? What a
good voice he has He reminded me very
much Of Mr. Wilsonburg. You never saw
him, did your"
"No, never sa@ him but I've heard Of
him, replied.
50 1t was; wherever We went, in the house
or oft OF it, the natural simplicity Of Mrs.
Marks-who, Of course, intended no offence
kept the virtues of the deceased Wisonburg
continually fresh in my thoughts.
I stood it bravely, giving no sign Of uneasi-
ness, until an accident occurred which appear
ed to call for some decision on my part.
l had been parent for three weeks.
The newcomer was boy.
Marx" said my wife, one day, "what
shall we call the little fellow"
81 don't know | baven'tthougbt anything
about it. Most any respectable name will DO.
Isuppo-e.'
What % you think Of John WiIsonburg 2
This was too much.
I Strengthened myself up in adignifed man