The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1880-05-21


re.ln by dinner time, and long before
thu ceremony WIS to take place; but hour
after hour lad passed, and at last his
place rs groomsman was given to his
cousin Frederic Lacey. \ vague mis-
living that some untoward accident had
cuG,rl the delay had at times glanced
over the minds of more than one of the
party. though no one gave uttTramcc to
their fears, lest they should cast Il gloom
over the minds of the Young couple; and
the solemn service commenced just rs
the ring WAS being placed on the finger
of tie bride, Il sudden hustle Was heard
III thr entrance, and Edward Druham
hurried into the room, his cloak and cap
covered Wit! SHOW, for it had hCcA SNOW
'A% heavily for some time. The clergy
man rals,d his finger rs lie entered Ia
Cmjoin silence, and with more than usual
gravity pronounced the last prayer and
hruC,uctiun. Ii WAS over: and then came
q hClG and Whispering murmur, with
sjIINrlI rNclamatlons of diSmay and terror
from the females. OF excitement from the
mon, ~ they gathered about Edward to
hear the news he had 10 communicate.
Agnes had been sonatur.lly cngroSsed
ty h,r own feelings and the peculiarly
%, her situation that she had hardly
noticed her brothers. return, till after
SHE found herself suddenly deserted 10y
Ill hCrcrnplmOns, and became conscious
HAT she stood alone in the centre of the
room: even George had lrft her side
Aud nuw shr perceived That looks of sad
Hess auI Interest were directed toward
hrr 10y several If the group, and II sense
@. Snln2 dreadful calamity, in which she
or sulur on dvarrr To her than herself
WI, involved, came over her. "What
can j: he? Oh, do tel me what has hap
I,urd." al" exclaimed at last, casting
nor eyes Inploringly upon her father
face
"Only, my child, that George must
leave yu" Ills very night, this very hour,
were i possible.
She clUug, spccehlcss with terror, to
Lcr tptlvv's hrm.
Listen to ynur brother, Agnes; that
paper Will rXpninit. 1t is the governor )
proclamation.
Eu; George, Oh. how can he be
r.M,sr.rumiI:' gasped ont the trembling
hriGr.
1--WE are al, every one, concerned i'll
il. lAy child: not Your husband only.
Rebellion has broken out inthe province.
Toronto is Threatened with fire and
sword: and every mar, be his station
what il may. Is called upon to arm him
Ii and obey the mandat" Of the gov
ruDr, t. enroll himself under the ban
upi vi Lis sovereign, and march to the
defense ui IT,, capitol, or be marked uS
towards ur traitors. Your brothcg is
a." bearer 6 tins declaration"
sr.u-u,'" WAS nIw commanded, and
stauuiuG forth III the midst OF the ring
t..i w4"d round him, Edward, with
!u,..i .Id Ill met voice, read the prUcla-
'u:i. i"n If the governor. Very different
WIS thc effect produced on the minds OF
hi artu. nee; for while some of tie
,o. e i',iiCs wCp. and turned pale, the
servants, who occupied the open door
~ay. @.i'd, and almost screamed aloud.
Ii. Oil men and fathers looked grave
',Ii s,rrn; while among the young men
all WAS excitement and energy: even the
Il ." y made blidcgroom, forgctful Of his
"@Duil"d partner, paItooi, of tn" general
.uthUsiasn. and stood with flashing eve.
and animated tone cloqurntly declaring
his r,adiuyss to Join the gallant band oi
ir>M volunteers. 1t WAS not TIL he
caupht the pleading glance Of his pal,
brides dark eyes fixed 50 mOurnfully
upon his fac" that Il scu>c of her dcsola-
ti"u Of heart struck him, and as if &c
atom" for his seeming forgctfulness OF
her G.Ion but ii few moments before b,
had -, sul"mnly vowed 10 cherish, i'll Joy
or sorrow, lie hurried To her side. anu
t,udcrly drawing her arm through his
led her 10 the sofa, and placing himself
at her side, strove with all lovers fond,
ness TO sootho and comfort her; but il
WAS IL hard trial for them both, and tho
very suddcnncss Of the shock and tn,
vagrI, notion Of the perils that threatened
her husband added to the anguish of tho
parting.
This was not time, indeed, to talk OI
marrying and giving i'll marriage. Al
was now hurry and excitement. Every
bosom responded 10 the loyal appeal
every LAND WAS warmly linked i'll on,
band Of loyal brotherhood; Young anC
old, the weak with the strong, swOrc t.
fight hravcly IN defense of their hearths
their ultulo, their adopted country anC
their youthful sovereign.
"Comc, my friends" said Captain
Doninn, Agnes uncle, IN old veteran
o. j.. loyulist, the most collected person
i'll the room, 4" let us drink health ant
happiness to Uur little bride and her hus
band, and give three cheers for Queer
Victoria! and then for business, for ther,
is much TO do.
The toast Was given, and cnthusiastical
~ drank by every one present; even th'
wOm-n caught the spirit of loyal feeling
: and forgot their fears and griefs, Will,
the rattrrs OF the old log house rung will
the suspicious name OF their believe,
queen.
"Now, girls" said the old veteran
"mO more tears, no more dolcful looks
come, quick; stir yourselves get us
good cup of tea, and then look to you
brothers knapsacks. And you, my lit
tie bride, come hithcr, and attend t.
your old uncle. Remember that you ar
now II soldiers bride, rs well as m oil,
soldiers mcicc, and you must ovcrcOm
all childish regrets, and be my owl
brave gIrl; you are not the first yOur'
couple that have thusrudcly and sudden
~ bc"n separated by the miscllanccs q
war: let me see that you are not IN
worthy Of the high character that YOU
have 80 long held i'll your unclc's opin
ion. And harf You, Agnes, when Georg
comes back we'll have 1t good frolic, an'
you shall dance the first set with Uncl
Frcd."
The cheerful tones Of this dear OIL,
r"lutivc, whom Agnes loved almost rs
a Al IL. 4 L La.
disturbed spirits than even the teHdc
apothinps OF her Young husband, AM
Agnes busted herself III assisting III tn
requisite preparations for the evening re
past, and tried to forget the singuiarit
Of her pDsitiuu; and well and brHvcly di,
she battle with the choking tears ant
signs.
The cvcninGmca was hastily concluded
and now so changed WAS the scene tina
you would have suppose there wcr
prCpal"tioHs making fer Il siege rathc
tham II bridal. GuIg, pistols, old rust
firclU"lls that had hung for years nm
h, cd"d upon the raftcls, more for orna
mcnt than jls"-oNcry weapon Of Offcns
or defense WAS hauled forth; rifles tina
had only been employed against tn
wiz ilIliiI'i'' illli icitIl''cu Sitllc Ol III
woods, were now to be employed in nor
deadly warfare, and it was astonishin
with what GOODNESS and determination
these things were examined and dis
, cIlssed by tine young people.
AS to the females, they were decpl
occupied in selecting adch changes {
linen and other matters as could be 60
lccted ut so short warning; and Uncl
Fredrric's advice and opinion were COZ
tinually in requisition to decide upo
the necessary and unnecessary articles [