The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1876-04-06
THE BRIDES TRIAL,

people will put on a mans character, ac-
cording to the eyes with which they may
view him. In the opinion of some, MIR.
Benjamin Benedict-not our hero, ex-
actly, but the next thing to it, his uncle
was q gentleman, scholar and phil
anthropist; while others, quite as well
qualified to reason and decide, Won
dered that such monster was allowed
to walk the earth unchallenged. For
old Ben Benedict was just the sort of a
man to provoke aud please in alterations
a human March day, with streaks OF
sunshine and chilling gusts sandwiched
through his nature, People who knew
him liked him passing well, but it some
times took lifetime to know him as he
really was.
d" You will be sure to like my uncle,
darling" said Hugh Benedict to his
young wife. " He is eccentric, but he is
sterlipg."
Rachel did not answer, but her blue
eyes were wistful and full of perplexity.
Uncle Ben, whom she had never seen,
but of whom she had heard much, was
to her an inscrutable riddle, whom she
feared moro than she was willing to ac-
knowledge. For Hugh's future depend.
Benedict, and with Hugh's future her
own was bound inseparably.
She was fair, fresh looking girl, with
velvety cheeks, bronze bright hair, and
features as correct and delicately cut as
cameo. Hugh was quite certain that
Uncle Ben could not see her without
loving her; but then these young hus-
bands are not apt to be impartial judges.
She was sitting in the freight at their
lodgings, when the old gentleman first
beheld her; and the only warning she
had of his presence she saw reflected in
Hugh's eyes.
"My dear, how do you do9" said the
old gentleman. kissing Rachel on both
cheeks.
And she thought he was not SO terri
bic after all.
He turned to Hugh, when he had thus
rather unceremoniously made himself
acquainted with his new niece-in-law.
"Well, young man, are you ready to
leave these rooms and go to your new
home 2" he asked; for be it known that
the old gentleman had given Hugh and
Rachel wedding present of new
house, wherein they were to live.
"Quite, sir" Hugh answered, very
cheeriIy.
"Shall it be tomorrow"
eyes"
"All right"
Ard Mr.. Benedict sat down to spend
the evening and enjoy himself.
swell, sir3" said Hugh, when his
uncle was taking leave, and paused on
the doorstep to light cigar.
Well, sir?" said uncle Benedict,
calmly.
"Fow do you like herr" asked
Hugh.
GLOW can I tell9" demanded the old
gentlemman, irritably "She's pretty to
look at, so is china doll, or white kit
ten. 1t isn't always the prettiest cali
GOES that wash the best. Good even
ing"
And Hugh Benedict, albeit he was
very fond of his uncle, did not know
whether to be vexed or not. |
Early the next morning, however,
Uncle Ben made his appearance before
the young couple, breathless and eager.
"Trunks packed, eh9"
"All but the last one, uncle.
And Rachel lifted her pretty head
out Of the tray, as you may have seen a |
red clover blossom rise up from beneath !
child's footstep.
"Pm going to take you down to
Bloomingdale myself, my DEAR" said
Uncle Ben. "Hugh, want you to go |
off at once with these letters. They're |
of Importance. I'd go myself, if / were |
ten years younger, but sudden journeys
don't agree with old bones like mine"
Hugh looked aghast at the proposal.
Rachel turned pale.