Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1877-05-09
THE BRIDES TRIAL.

1t is strange what different estimate!
people will put on mans character
according to the eyes with which the,
view him. In the opinion Of some Mr.
BENJAMIN Benedlct-not our hero eN
actly, next thing to him, his uncle-wa!
a gentleman. scholar, and a philan
throphist; while others, quite as vel
qualified to reason and decide, won
dered that such a monster was allowed
to walk the earth unchallenged. Fol
old Ben Benedict was Just the sort of q
man TO please and provoke in alterna-
tions-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 ii sometimes took a
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's eccentric. but he is
sterling"
Rachel did not answer, bat her blue
/ eyes We're 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 de-
| pended TO a certain extent upon Uncle
Benedict, and with Hugh's future her
own was bound inseparably,
She was fair. fresh looking girl,
with velyety cheeks, bronze bright hair,
and with features as correct and
delicately cut as a cameo. Hugh was
quite certain 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 i'll the fire light, at
their lodgings, when the old gentleman
first beheld her; and the only warning
She had Of his presence she saw refec-
ted il 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 acquain-
ted 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 wedding present of a
house wherein they were to live.
"Quite, sir" Hugh answered cheerily.
Shall it be tomorrow"
Yes
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.
How do you like herr asked
Hugh.
How can 1 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 next morning, Uncle Benedict
made his appearance before the young
couple, breathless and eager.
Trunks packed. eh?'
''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 a
boys footstep.
Il am going to take you down to
Bloomlngdale myself, said Uncle Ben
Hugh, wanted you to 60 off to
Canterbury with these letters. They're
of Importance. I'd go myself if were
ten years younger; but sudden journeys
do not agree with old bones like mine.'
/ Hugh looked aghast at the proposal.
Rachel turned pale.
Cannot the business be postponed,
sir?" said Hugh, hesitatngly.
mo, it can't!" replied Uncle Ben,
CURLY. ''If you don't want to go, say
so. dare say can find some one else
to oblige me!''
"Of course I shall 60" said Hugh,
but about Rachel
II suppose Pm old enough to take
care of little girl like that" said
! Uncle Ben in an aggrieved tone. You'll
| find us both in the new residence, with
the table left for dinner, when you
come back tomorrow"
So there was nothing for it but for
Hugh to kiss his little BRIDE half a
/ score of times, and commission Uncle
4 Ben to take the best possible care of
4 her until he should return.
4 Foolish children!" said Uncle