Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1870-12-08
$elett Stury.
Goldenbeam, which purports to
be a Richmond Thanksgiving
Story
ICnnied from an EXCHANGE

Even after the ceremony was all over. ]
could scarcely believe it. Yet there she
was-my wife. There was no getting out
of it-mine Mine to 60 up the hills and
down the dales of life with-to love, cher.
ISL and protect. To pay dress-makers
bills for, to read poetry books during the
honeymoon, and to buy cookery books for
when it was over, to keep from the say
ings and doings Of the fcmenine sufrag ists
and the women's- rights women, and to be
the affect ioua.e and .indulgent husband
to, especially with respect to pin money.
and at least to buy two new dresses each
of thefour seasons. as long as life should
last. Say we lived fifty years together. az
why shouldn't we ? I was only thirty and
she only eighteen and by the end of that
time I should only be eighty, and she
would only be verging toward the end of
the Psalmists rope. That would make
four hundred new dresses (not including
bonnets) at an average of one hundred
dollars each-but lose myselfin specula-
ton, and depart from the historic stern
ness with which I commenced this little
story.
Let me explain what mean by saying
that [ could scarcely believe it.
1t was Thanksgiving day. I had
been married few days ago, and my
wife had laid eyes upon me just two weeks
since. The next day I was to sail for
Europe, to be gone a year. Opposite
me. in private parler of a New York
MOTEL, sat the young lady who-I mean
my wife. She did seem very young for
man who was beginning to be bald, and
had seen a good deal of 1ife'-a world
usually meant to indicate demoralizing
set of experiences. She was southern
girl, and I have since been told that it is
characteristic of southern girls to become
engaged, when young, to men much older
than themselves My establishment and
delight consisted in this: that Winifred
Allison, my wife. had known me just two
weeks. That within that short space of
time the few relatives that she possessed
had been propitiated, the young lady her.
self had been spoken with the dreadful
question had been asked and responded
to with a want of hesitation that [ had not
even dared to hope for. and the upshot
was that we were married, aud there we
were!
It had happened in this wise: Winifred
Alison was an orphan, and lived with her
uncle and aunt in Richmond. Having oc-
casion to go there on business, accepted
an invitation that Mr.. Alison had repea-
tedly extended to me, aid stayed few
days at his house. There I met Wiai-
fred. and was charmed with her frank,
audacious, but thoroughly innocent way.
and the various evidences which proved
that she was spoilt yet good hearted
child. One day, when Winifred and |
were alone. happened to say that | was
going to Europe within fortnight, to
remain a year.
% how I should like to gor exclaimed
the young lady. I would give anything
to be able to do so!'
Nothing is easier.' answered. Would
you like to 60 with me !?
Should be delighted replied Wini-
fred
AS my wife p
And would you take me to Europe.
really ? she exclaimed. And should we
travel north, south, east, and west to-
gether, from Dublin to Constantinople.
and from Rome to St. Petersburgh :?
0 what heavenly time we should have
shouldn't we :?
L should have heavenly time-with
you. answered. But can the thing be
done 2
why, what an absurd question If /
say SO, yes. My uncle let's me do just as
l please. You promise sole.nnly to take
me to Europe 2
4 do
Then l promise solemnly to be your
wife. There Will that do Or shall
wear it on the Bible 2 and she pressed
her delicate hand on copy of Worcester's