Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1873-04-16
THE BRIDES TREAl..


Il is strange what different estimates
people VIII put, on a MANS chara eter, ac-
eordlng to the eyes with which thew NAV
view him. In the opinion of some. MT
Benjamin Benedict-not our hero exactly.
but the next thing to it, his uncle-was a
gentleman, a seholaa, and a philaptbro-
plst; while others, quite as we'll qualified
to reason and decide, wondered that such
monster was allowed to walk the earth
unehaHenged. Fer old Ben Benedict was
just the sort of man to provoke and
please In alteraeions-a human March
day, with streaks of sunshine and chill.
ing gusts sandWi1hed through his nature.
People W5o knew him liked him pass
ing well, but it sometimes took lifetime
to know him as be really was. r
You viii be sure to like my uncle.
darlingP said Hugh Benedict to his
young wiie.s He is eccentric, but he is
sterling.n -v---~ .-.-
R4c6ei did not answer. but her blue
eyes were Wistful and full of perpIexity.
Uncle Ben, whom she had never seen but
of whom see had beard a great deal, was
to her an Inscrutable riddle, whom she
feared more than she was willing TO ae-
knowledge. For Hugh's future depend.
ed to a certain extent upon Uncle Ben
Benedict, and to Iugh's future her own
was bound inseparably. --3's
She was fair, fresh looking Girl. with
velvety cheeks, bronzc-brjght hair, and
features as fair and delicateIy cut as a
cameo. Hugh was quite certain that
Uncle Ben could not see her without loY-
ing her; but then these young husbands
are apt SO be impartial judges.
She was Sitting in the freight at
their lodgings, when the old gentleman
beheld her; and the only warning she
had of his presence she saw reflected in
Hugh's eyes. r
My dear, how do you do ?n said the
old gentleman, kissing Rachel on both.
checks -
And she Thought be was not so. terrible
after all Ill -gsl 81
lie turned to Hugh when he had thus
unceremoniously made himself acquainted
with his new neice-in-law.
{. Well, young man, are you ready to.
lease these lodgings and go TO your new
home ~ he asked; for be it known that
the cid gentleman. had given uueh and
Rachel avoiding present of a new house,
wherein they were to live
"Quite, slr,0 Hugh answered, cheerily.
"Shall it be tomorrow? ~ 80
Yes.1 le 48 ts
GAIL right.7 1873 -5lsa.a.a.l $50 vi
And Mr.. Benedict sat down to Epend
the evening and enjoy himself.
Wen, sir?" said Hugh, when his IN
Gle was taking leave, and paused on the
front door-steps to light a cigar
Well, sir?7 said Uncle Benedict
calmly
How do you like her ?2 asked Hueb.
How can tell ?" demanded the Old
gentleman, irritably. "She's pretty to
look at; SO is a china doll, or a While kit
ten 1t isn't always the calicoes that
wash the best. Good evening ~ -
And Hugh Benedict, albeit be was very
fond OF his uncle, did net know whether
TO be yexed or not. E
Early the next morning, however, Uncle
ben made bis appearance before the
young couple. brelthless and ca ger. =
" Trunks paeked, eb?7'z@ ) 49, @
"All bat the last one, uncle: and
Rachel Lifted her pretty head out of the
tray, as yee-may have seen a red clover
blossom rise up from beneath a chilFs |
footstep. ~ 1
" Pm going to-take you down to Bloom
dale myself, my dear,n saidA Uncle Ben |
" Hugh, want you to go eff to Canfer- |
bury with these letters. 'rhey're of nm
portance. I'd go myself if / were ten
years younger; but suddenjourneys don't
agree with old bones ike mne.0 aT
Hugh locked agh;.st at the proposal
Rachel turned pale.
" Cannot the business be postponed,
sir n said Hugh, hesitatingly.
"No, it can't p said Uncle Ben, curtly
" Ii you don't want to 60, say SO. L dare
say can find some one else TO oblioe
me ~ es
Of course | shall go," said Hugh.
Z" But Rachel - -
L suppose Pm old enough to take care
of little girl like that,p said Uncle Ben.
il an aggrieEed tone. "You'H find us
both In the new residence, with the table
laid dstor dinner, when you come back. to-
morrow" .zsd
SO there was nothing for it but for
Hugh to,kiss bis little bride a half.score
times, and commission Uncle Ben to take
the best possible care of her until he
should return. .--- --
" Foolish children u said Mr.. Benedict,
as be saw Rachel sobbing on Hugh>s
shoulder. But there was CHEEKY twink
le in his keen gray eyes, nevertheless.
Poor little girl The atmosphere had
lost somewhat Of its sparkle, and the
world looked less bright, as she journeyed
in Uncle Ben's barouche towards her new
home, with Uncle Ben's newspaper rat
Ting at her sidg,. As the autumn twilight
began 70 fall he thoughts became busy, as
woman's will at times
" Uncle" she said, turning suddenly to
wards the old 0aut1a,pap { yyha+ cnrt ~ q