The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1876-04-27
THE BRIDES TRIAL.

THE BRIDES TRIAL.
IL is strange what different estimate.
people will put on a mans character
according to the eyes with which they
may view him. In the opinion of some
Mr.. Benjamin Benedict-not our hero
exactly, but the next thing to it, his un.
cle-was gentleman, a scholar and q
philanthropist; while others, quite as
well qualified TO reason and decide
wondered that such a monster was al
lowed to walk the earth unchallenged
For old Ben Benedict was Just the sort
of man to provoke and please in alter
nations-a human March day, with
streaks of sunshine and chilling gusts
sandwiched through his nature. PeO-
pie who knew him liked him passing
well, but it sometimes took lifetime
TO know him as he really was.
"You will be sure to like my uncle,
darling" said Hugh Benedict to his
young wife. ale is eccentric, but he
is sterling"
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 more than she was willing to ac-
knowledge. For Hugh's future depend
ed to a certain extent upon Uncle Ben
Benedict, and with Hugh's future her
own was bound inseparably.
She was a fair, fresh-looking girl,
with velvety cheeks, bronze-bright hair,
and features as correct and delicately
cut as a cameo. Hugh was quite GER
tain that Uncle Ben could not see her
without loving her; but then these
young husbands are not apt to be i'm
partial 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 reflect
ed in Hugh's eyes.
"My dear, how do you do?" 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
unceremoniously made himself acquaint-
"Vell, young man, are you ready to
leave.these lodgings and 60 to your new
home?" he asked; for be it known that
the old gentleman had given Hugh and
Rachel wedding present of a new
house, wherein they were to live.
"Quite, sir" Hugh answered, cheer
fy.
=" Shall it be tomorrow"
"Yes.n
"All right"
And Mr.. Benedict sat down to spend
the evening and enjoy himself.
"Well, sir?n said Hugh, when his
uncle was taking leave, and paused on
the front door steps to light his cigar.
"Wel, sir?" said Uncle Benedict
calmly.
"How you like her?' asked Hugh.
CHOW can | tell?'' demanded the old
gentleman, irritably. "She's pretty to
look at; so is a china doll, or white
kitten 1t isn't always the prettiest
calicoes that wash the best. Good
evening""
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, eh?"
"All but the last one, uncle;n and
Rachel lifted her pretty head out of the
tray, as you may have seen a red clover
blossom rise up from beneath a child's
footstep.
"I'm going to take you down to
Bloomdale myself, my DEAR" said I'm
Gle Ben. "Hugh, l want you to 90 off
to Canterbury with these letters.
They're of Importance. pdgo myself
if were ten years younger; but sud
den journeys don't agree with old bones
like mine"
Hugh looked aghast at the proposal.
Rachel turned pale.
"Can not the business be postponed,
sir?" said Hugh, hesitatingly.
"No, it can'tl" replied Uncle Ben,
curtly. "If you don't want to 90, say
so. dare say can find some one else
to oblige mel"
"Of course l shall CO." said Hugh.
"But Rachel -"
al suppose I'm old enough to take
care of little girl like that" said I'm
Gle Ben, in an aggrieved tone. "You'n "
find US both in the new residence, with
the table laid for dinner, when you
come back tomorrow"
SO there was nothing for it but for
Hugh to kiss his little bride a half score
of times, and commission Uncle Ben to
take the best possible care of her until
he should return.
Foolish childreni" said Mr.. Bene-
dict, as he saw Rachel sobbing on
Hugh's shoulder. But there was a CHEEKY
twinkle in his own keen gray eyes, new
ertheleSS.
Poor little girl! the atmosphere had
lost somewhat of its sparkle, and the
world looked less bright, as she Journey
ed in Uncle Ben's barouche towards her
new home, with Uncle Ben's newspaper
rafting at her side. As the autumn
twilight began to fall, her thoughts be-
came busy, as a woman's will, at times.
"Uncle," she said, turning suddenly
towards the old gentleman, "what sort
of house is it?m Ours, l meant"
"Well," said Uncle Ben, refectively,
''it's a cottage, should say"
"a modern cottage?"
"Well, no; rather of the antique or
der than otherwise
"Oh," cried Rachel, "rm glad. L
despise those new, stiff, formal places,
that look as if they were merely to be
admired, not lived in and enjoyed.
Uncle, what are you laughing at?''
"At your curiosity, my DEAR" re-
piled the old gentleman.
"Then won't ask another question:"
said Rachel, resolutely.
But she fully atoned for that depriva-
ton bv sketehing on the tablets of her
- .s..., o5dlaes rsriefV of little