The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1875-02-11
A HAsTY MARRIAGE.

Tilted No gentler name could be
given TO the fact. George Goodwi had
been fairly Tilted. Cool, sensible Emily
Wardour had turned him off at the
eleventh hour, when no had expected to
lead her 10 the altar In a few weeks, with
the plea that she had not known her own
mind, and had discovered that she loved
another. 1t was a cruel blow TO poor
George aud he took it to heart. So sad
ly, indeed, that the very next day found
him at the house Of a neighbor.
The weather and crops occupied Mr..
Jones and his visitor for some time, Mr..
Jones introducing these interesting top
les. Rather abruptly, however, the
visitor announced that he had something
particular to say. Mrs. Jones rose with
her daughter Lavinia, but WAS asked TO
stay, so that Lavinia was sent from the
room alone as il she had been a child.
She went and sat down in the kitchen
not a whit resentful.
George Goodwin entered at once on
his mission. He had come to ask leave
OF Lavinia's parents to make their
daughter an offer Of bis hand. He did
not say his hoart.
Mrs. Jones trembled lest her husband
should discourage this cool suitor. He
seemed about to do 80. Instead Of
ready assent, he began TO say it was
very sudden, and ho did not like to
part with the child he ended by turn
ing very red AMI blowing his nose.
Mrs. Jones had looked hard at him.
She now interposed, saying, of course,
it was sudden, and certainly they did
not want to lose LavlniR, who was
perfect treasure but provided that she
was willing, and thought she would be
happy, they should not stand in her
way. She must leave them some time,
and they would be glad to see her in
the keeTin3 of so worthy a man.
"True, true" murmured poor Mr.
Jones.
Then George Goodwin asked to see
Lavinia there and then, and Mr.. Jones
assented. His wife would have secured
time TO prepare her daughters mind,
but there was no help for it. Lavinia
was called IN.
But George was not quite 70 thought
less as TO propose to the girl in the
presence of her parents. He had
walked up TO the window and seen a
narrow strip of ground called "the
garden, and into this he invited Lavinia
without pretsxt. He was not a man
who used pretexts; he was truth itself.
1t is not worth looking at" said
Lavinia, alluding to the garden, when
he had led her out.
IT did not come to look at it." he
replied. 81 came to speak to you. Do
you think you could like me we'll enough
TO marry me ?"
She looked startled. "I don't know,
she stammered.
"You dent dislike me?" he asked.
"Oh, no." she made haste to answer.
She had admired him greatly az
Emily's lover. He had been one of her
heroes but his wCeing aud the manner
of it disturbed all her notions of heroic
action
"Then you must try and like me,
he continued. " think I could make
you happy enough, lie added.
She looked wistful. "Do yon love
me ?" she asked
1t puzzled him-the simple question
the wistful look. 1t almost turned him
from his purpose.
"You are very sweet" he answered
land I am unhappy"
Here was romance at last to bestov
her sweetness on ono who was unhappy
that would be delightful.
''Oh, wait little. Papa
"I have asked him already, and h,
gave me leave to speak 10 you. Shal
he settle the rest for you r.
Yes" she murmured, under he
breath, hardly knowing what she said
aud not knowing in the least all she di,
in saying that one little word.
He kissed her, almost fiercely, some
thing like oompuuotion in his heart, ant
bade her goodbye in the garden, leav
ing her there in state of strange be
wilderment.
"Lavinia will he very poorly pre-
vided, fear" Mrs. Jones said, assum
ing a deiicacy she did not feel. I"
doubt if We can get for her ev.n whs
will be absolutely necessary on so shoI
a notice."
"Get whatever is necessary an
proper for tho occasion, Mrs. Jones,
was the quick and anticipated answer
81 leave it, as Lavinia has left it eI
tirelv in your hands," and 80 saying b
took his leave.
Three years passed away. Lavini
Goodwin ia resting on a sofa, lookin
thin and pale and very pretty, in
white pink, ridiculously fine for
farmers wife" as has been often T,
marked of her since her morriage, som
adding, spiteiully, "She cares for nou
ing but dress, and George Goodwin is
fool to let her do as she does"
He has been very kind and in lulgeI
to her. At first that seemed enough
She was happy wandering about th
sunny slopes of the farm or maxim
improvements in the house and gardel
She was abundantly happy in the peaC
and plenty of her home-s peace an
plenty she had never known befor
She was moro than happy, this gel
4 l. L.
tent, supplying her parents with all Il
luxuries the farm produced-fresh bu
ter, new laid eggs, fruit, flowers, veg
tables, poultry. She had noticed tn
her husband gave her less Of bis tin
than he might have given her; th
he earessed her carelessly, as
might a pet animal that he ga
her too much of her own way, az
allowed an utter want Of interest
what she was doing.
George, too, had his own disconter
He had begun to feel the eItravagsn
of his young wife, and to rouse hi
self to its consequences. His sists
had moro than once spoken to him
this subject, and he had silenced the
by saying, Its no fault of hers, and
don't want to trouble her."
George Goodwin soon began to OBJ
MS eyes 20 the cot, but still he did n
interfere. he was afraid OF hurtil
because he did not love; and. beside
he had promised Lavinia indulgenC
and indulgent he would be if It ruin
him. 1t is not unlikely to do this.
A crisis had arrived with the arriy
of the second baby. George Goodv
had invited his sisters 10 the house, a
Mr.. and Mrs. Jones had invited the
selves. The house was full, and I
sisters stood aghRst at the expendity
which Lavinia directed through /
mother. It was nothing but speT
spend, spend, from morning till nigh
nobody knew how much, for il was l
ready money. Ia kitchen extravga1
had merged into waste-waste, nnt
Mrs. Jones's example, into dishones
which George Goodwin detested G
Rbhorred more than most men, at le
more vigorously.
Meantime, in the dining-room, il