Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1875-05-20
We were alI ushered into the mar

lor, where the ladies proceeded to as
certain who were their other guests.
Meanwhile the stranger, with stern
look, pointing his finger at us, said ::
"Sisters, far he it for me to find
fault with the care taken of my
daughter during my absence, but is
that, think you, the way in which to
fulfill your promise%
The ladies gazed on us moment,
then the younger one, uttering q pro-
longed cry, fell fainting to the floor.
The elder, however, being more self
possessed, after restoring her pros
trate sister, turned to me and de.
manded an explanation.
This | gave, pausing now and then
to utter a word about our devoted af
fection, and expatiating largely upon
the '.thoughtlessness OF youth.
'Bnt may 1 inquire. asked the
gentleman, who, it is needless to say,
was Sophy's father, ''may inquire,
sir, why you thought it necessary to
take my daughter from her home in
the dead of night? Why. did you
not ask my sisters consent to your
nnion? And then, if they thought
well of it, and found you to be a gen
tleman of good standing, get married
like civilized person."
After this followed lengthy ex
planation from me, and a large quan
tity of tears from Sophy. After all,
it did not turn out as badly as ex-
pected.
A month elapsed, in which time
the characters and occupations of
all my ancestors were inquired into;
and, at length, nothing having been
found derogatory to me, day was
fixed upon for the great event.
What a time we had to prepare for
it! Little notes on perGumed paper
were sent to all parts of the cOnti-
nent, admonishing each recipient to
be sure and he present at the cere
mony. Orders were issued week
beforehand to the bakers and con
feetioners for their very best pro-
ductions TO he on hand for the mo-
mentous occasion. Three several
times the tailor sent home my we'd
ding suit, and as often did / return
it, on account of an improper stitch.
/ purchased a white silk neck-tie,
which kept carefully locked up in
q box, and when / took it out on the
day Of the ceremony found that it
had been the resort of mice, and so
was obliged to run down the street
for another Itried all sorts of black
ing to ascertain what kind would
produce the highest polish.
AT last the day came. SOphy, all
bushes, orange blossoms and white
silk, met me IN the vestibnle of the
and arminarm we walked
mp the aisle together. After the
ceremony, at the home of Mr.. Flor
ence, we received the congratulations
of our friends, both near and casual.
What bore it is to young couple
to have to stand an hour or SO TO re-
ceive the kisses and handshakings of
their friends! For my part | was
heartily tired Of it.
And now about the trunk. After
spending some time in travelling
about, Sophy and settled down in
a beautiful country seat in Virginia.
We had between us no less than ten
trunks, which were placed all around /
the walls in the store-rOom. While
experimenting the arrangement of
them, | observed one of SOphy's,
which corresponded in every respect
to mine of the feminine contents.
turned to my wife, who was leaning
on my shoulder, and asked her about
it. THAT" said she, is trunk that
some gentleman left in the place Of
one l lost. 1t is filled with gentle
mans wardrobe, and the clothes
might be useful to you"
Then this was beyond doubt the
trunk that ! had lost. Immediate
ly told Sophy about my mistake, and
we forthwith opened the trunks and
identified our property.
On the whole, the mistake proved
rather fortunate, as we found our
selves possessed of wealth that we
otherwise should not have had.