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


mans perverseness and she kept he
lover in a state Of misery during the res
OF the evening until he rose to leave, whe
his dark eyes looked reproachfully int
hers, as he said,
"You don't love me, then, Mayl Yo
don't care to be my wife, to be all tn
world to meg'
The little witch dimpled mischievously
then meeting the panied look In he
lovers eyes, her woman's heart relented
and laying her cheek softly against hi
arm she whispered:
E1, you may have me when you cal
"But what sort of an answer is that? p
said Exwinton, bending down to look a
the sweet face then catching the peni
tent expression of the eyes shyly RAISED
to his, he exclaimed, "Well, I'll take yor
at your word, Lady-bird, and the frs
thing tomorrow morning III go to this
had anything to do with an English wed.
where the office is ?"
ALI the mischief danced back into Nays
bright eyes as she disengaged herself
from the clasp of her lovers arms, and
cried teasingly as she tripped away up
the stairs:
"No! won't tell you single word !;
you'll have to find 1t all out yourself. %
Then as she reached a turn in the stairs
she peeped over the banisters like a wick
ed little sprite as she was, and said coax
ingly, but with the most provoking air of
defiance:
snow, Ex, dear, you shall really have
me, provided you can get me; but If you
don't know the way to get me you must
60 without me. I'm not going to show
you the way to WOO, or marry either. /
thought you Americans were sharp
enough for anything!" And May disap-
peared, leaving Exwinton more than ever
determined to secure his claim without
delay. The next morning after an unu-
sually early breakfast he sailed forth from
his lodging in quest of the Register-office,
not by any means sure what English law
would require at his hands when he got
there. At short distance from his resi-
deace he saw approaching jolly British
sailor, of whom he resolved to make in
just the one to feel interested In such an
affair; he looks fine, open-hearted fel-
low, sure to have sweetheart of his own
somewhere" So accosting the gallant
tar, Exwinton said:
"My friend, can you tell me the way to
the Register-office"
'I'm stranger here, sir; sorry can't
tell you the way" replied Jack with a
broad grin swish l and my Sally Ann
was goin' there ourselves this mornin'
Good mornin' sir, wish you luck 70 Ex-
winton walked few PAGES, and observed
a stately looking lady of somewhat vine
gar aspect, on the opposite side of the
street. A pair of blue spectacles main
tanned proud position on the bridge of
high Roman nose, and her thin, firm
lips were evidently unaccustomed to
waste words on subjects of trivial impor-
tance. "a strong-minded woman"
thought our CBlebs, "sure to be well up
in the topography Of the blessed place.
I'll ask her, rand crossing the street he
gracefully raised his hat asking if the
lady could inform him where to find the
desired spot.
"Sir :" she exclaimed with an indig-
nant glance, "and is it of me you ask
the way to the Register-office? OF me,
to teach fools wisdom? No, sir; will |
not aid you in making one more slave to |
be ground down under the heel of despo- |
tism. Sad enough is it to see persons of |
mature years sacrificing themselves at |
what they heathenishly call the altar of |
Hymen; but you! Boy, pity you, and |
counsel you at least to postpone your folly |
until you are better aware of the abyss |
into which you are now so thoughtlessly |
ready to plunge!"
"But, madam, replied Exwinton, al
though it may be folly on the part of a
lady to trust the care of us, the rougher (!
part Of creation, yet, in my opinion, we,
1t least, show wisdom in securing to our |
selves the loving companionship of noble |
and pure-hearted womenl And you
may remember the words of Holy Writ,
He that findeth wife findeth good
thing y"
"Yes, sir,' replied the spinster with
dignified severity I" but your masculine
selfishness has forgotten, apparently, that
Scripture nowhere says, THAT she who
findeth husband findeth good thingr
[ 60 in for the rights of woman, sir ?" she
declaimed emphatically, striking her
large "Sarah Camp" umbrella on the
pavement; the rights Of woman, sir!
And I regret that you are about to drag
down another victim from the throne of
single freedom to rhe dungeon of matri-
monial thralldom !"
'sBut / am American, madam, and l /
believe in no throne but this one, MY
heart shall be the throne for my queen,"
md with another grave and graceful
bend Exwinton "went his way" not yet
rejoicing"
mo more old maids for me-" thought
,ur hero irreverently as he went on few
steps; and then, meeting fair little wo-
nan in spotless widows cap under
bonnet of the latest Partisan style, he re-
'olved to venture question once more.
MADAM, am In search of the Register
,fice; can you kindly inform me where to
ind itr'
'sThe Register of Births and Deaths?
Yes, sir; 60 to the top of this street, take
he turning to the left, and half way down
he street you will see the Office"
Madam. pardon me. i wish for the
Register of Marriages"
The widow applied mourning-edged
to her eyes.
Excuse me, sir; my feelings-the sub
ect is too painful; you might have OBJ
'erved by my dress that such question
,ould only-good-morningi'
"Oh !'' groaned Exwinton, mentally,
I" Samivel, Samivel, beware of vid-
lerspn Then remarking a policeman
l. &< |