The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1876-06-15
THE BRIDES TRIAL.

THE BRIDES TRIAL.
1t is strange what different estimates
people will put on mans character, &C.
cording to the eyes with which they may
view him. In the opinion of some Mr..
Benjamin Bepedict-not our hero exact
ly, but the next thing to it. his uncle-was
gentleman, scholar and philanthro-
piSt; while others, quite as we'll qualified
to reason and decide, wonder that such a
monster was allowed to walk the earth I'M
challenged. For old Ben Benedict was
lust the sort of man to provoke ndplease
in altcrnations-a human March day, with
streaks of sunshine and chilling gusts
sandw:ched through his nature. People
who knew him liked him passing we'll,
hut 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. "He is eccentric, but he is
stcrling.'
Rachel did not answer, but her blue
ewes 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 acknowledge.
For Hugh's future depended to certain
extent upon Uncle Ben Benedict, and with
Iughs future her own was bound insep-
arably.
She was fair, freshlooking girl, with
vclvcty checks. bronze bright hair, and
features as correct and delicately cut as a
cameo. Hugh was quite certain that
ing her; but then these young husbands
o,,f 10, l,o inn, ri nd
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 do:' said the
old gentleman, kissing Rachel on both
cheeks.
And she thought he was not so terrible,
after ALL
He turned to Hugh when he had thus
unceremoniously made himself acquainted
with his new nieCe-in-law.
"Well, 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 a wedding present of new house,
wherein they were to live.
"Quite, sir,' Hugh answered, cheeriIy.
snail ~ Ut lO-MollON
"Ies."
"All right"
And Mr.. Benedict sat down to spend the
evening and enjoy himself.
"Well, sir?' said Hugh. when his
uncle was taking leave, and paused on the
front door steps to light cigar.
"Well, sir?' said Uncle Benedict,
calmly.
Glow do you like her." asked Hugh.
How can I tell?" demanded the old
gentleman, irritably. "She's pretty to
look at; so is a china doll or a white kit.
ten. 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" and
Rachel lifted lfer pretty head out of the
blossom rise up from beneath child.
footstep.
"Im going to take you down to Bloom
dale myself, my DEAR said Uncle Ben
Hugh, want you to 60 off to Canter
bury with these letters. They're of i'm
portance. I'd go myself if were ter
years younger; but sudden journeys dom
agree with old bones like mine"
Hugh looked aghast at the proposal
Rachel turned pale.
Cannot the business be postponed
sir?" said Hugh, hesitatingly.
"No, it can't" replied Uncle Ben, curt
iy. "If you don't want to go, say so.
dare say l can find some one else to obligs
men
"Of course l shall CO." said Hugh
But about Rachel"
81 suppose I'm Old enough to take care
Of little girl like that" said Uncle Ben
in an aggrieved tone. you'll find u
both in the new residence, with the tabl,
laid for dinner, wheE you come back, to
morrow"
So there was nothing for it but fol
Hugh to kiss his little bride half score
of times, and commission Uncle Ben tc
take the best possible care of her until hi
should return.
Foolish children" said Mr.. Benedict
as he saw Rachel sobbing on Hugh.
shoulder. But there was CHEEKY twinkle
in his own keen gray eyes, nevertheless.
Poor little girl! the atmosphere haG
lost somewhat of its sparkle, and tn,
world looked less bright, as she journeyet
in I ncle Ben'S DarOuche toward her new
home, with Uncle Ben's newspaper rat
Ting at her SIDE As the autumn twilight
began to fall her thoughts became busy
as woman's will at times.
Uncle" she said, turning suddenl,
toward the old gentleman, " what sort o
house is it? Ours, I mean!''
WELL" said Uncle Ben, reflectively
it's cottage, should say"
A modern cottage"'
"Well, no; rather of the antique orde
than otherwise"
"Oh,", cried Rachel, "Pm glad.
despise those new, stiff, formal places
that look as if they were merely to be ad
mired, not lived in and enjoyed. Uncle
what are you laughing att" -....
At your curiosity, my DEAR" repliet
the old gentleman. - q" 49,
"Then I won't ask you another cues
tion," said Rachel, resolutely.
But she fully atoned for that deprivation
by sketching on the tablets of ner owl
fancy an epdless variety of little gothi
structures, with bay windows and trellise
covered with climbing roses and honey
suckles; while. Uncle Benedict watche,
her from behind the screen of his news
paper, with the queerest of expression
on his brown old face.
I'm almost sorry / commenced tn
thing" he said to himself. eff l Shout
be disappointed In. her! But, pooh! it,
the only way 10 find out if she is WORT
my boys love.''
Presently tho rpobor;r~ ,1d ol,ors.