Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1873-05-31
MATRIMONY UNDER DIFFICULTIES.

EXPEDITIONS ExwNToN and were play
mates in boyhood; chums at college
where we were the terrors of the dons
and bosom friends, when, at the close oi
our collegiate course, we entered on the
battlefield of life. Exwinton was of old
Puritan descent, whence he inherited his
remarkable Christian name, and putting
the first syllables of his two names to-
gether, his friends usually honored him
with the soub7iquet of "Oid Double X"
Shortly after the completion of his studies,
he went to England on business for his
father; and there, while osteHsibly en-
gagged in sterner duties, he found time for
that which. ever since the nightingales
sang to the Eden roses, has, somehow or
other, crept into the lives of most people.
In short, he wooed and won a pretty,
blue-eyed English girl, May Rawdon. A
sweet, sonsie May-blossom she was fair
and gentle, yet full of mischief, and gifted
with keen appreciation for a frolic-just
the one to suit frank-hearted, affectionate
Old Double X. May was protected by
the slightest shadow of guardianship,
that infirm, old aunt, almost in her do
tage; and when Exwinton offered the
homage of his brave, manly heart, little
May felt that to nestle under the wing of
a good mans love, was infinitely better
than the lonely life she had hitherto led.
Money was scarce with the young couple;
and besides that, their feelings were in IA
vor of quiet wedding; so they agreed
that whenever the event should come of,
it was to be the quietest of all possible af-
fairs; and therefore the Register-offic
was to be the place where the marriage
vows were to be exchanged.
They were standing in the shadow of
the window curtain one evening; Exwin-
toms arm round the tiny waist of his lit
tie May; while the old aunt obhgingly
dozed in her easy-chair by the fireside.
Now, May" said Exwinton, 81 must
be in America by Christmas; and l can't
60 without my wife; so tell me where the
Register-office is, and I'll get married to
morrow"
Indeed; but you WON'T" pouted May.
81 am not to be taken by storm in that
way. You Americans are so grand since
you got England to pay the Alabama
claims, that yeu don't know but the Old
Country is one of your own States. You
may come the Yankee dodge over Glad
stone, but you can't over me" and May
tossed her curls willfully.
But just hear reason" said the young
rs.,iicdu my huSilsu IOocDuus yOui
mule mouth wasn't meant to talk politics,
which you don't understand, besides; or
you would know that it Is much better to
come over and be an American citizen,
snah to stay here to pay taxes for those
same Alabama claims, which have been
90 gracefully yielded up to our Stars and
Denpes oy yeur dear Old England. And
you needn't be so sore on the point" he
ia;Ioed, laughing, ''for you know tits not
nAe sending property out Of the family;
you are not paying it to foreign
power, but only just handing few dol
lsrs to your Uncle Sam to take care of for
you, I'LL you have learned little more
prudence In money affairs!"
=, well 60 back to America" replied
may; "and wait for me faithfully two
years; maybe then I'll yield to your
Alabama claim; at any rate you may
nope mop for favorable grant at the end Of
Sns' period. l want to see If an Ameri-
can can De faithful, as well as brave and
Now, May" pleaded Exwinton, "you
snail not put me of with bright speeches.
you saucy creature you Couldn't have
the heart to keep me waiting ali that
ume. Come, my pet, do promise to be
my wife at once. Let me take you back