The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1880-12-12
THE DAILY CAIRO BULLETIN: SUNDAY MORNING. DE(

fairs, she might have noticed that n
change had come over Philip, He was
often absent evenings, and when at
home was more silent and abstracted
than his wont. The former she readily
attributed to the cause which he assign
ed, namely, pressure OF business.
The latter she did not observe, her
mind being pre-occupied. We, who are
in the secret, may take the liberty OF
following him on ono OF his business
calls 1t was at neat cottage, from
whose front door dangled an immense
knocker, that Philip Mason knocked.
The door was opened by the same Miss
Preston, who, some months before, he
thought might do for Mr. Bigelow
Good evening, Maria" was his
salution MS he entered. After brief
conversation about the weather, the
crops and other standard topics, which,
however trivial they may seem, could
hardly be dispensed with, he began to
show signs of embarrassment, and final
ly calculated;
"Maria-Miss PreSton--I mean Maria,
what are your opinions about mar
riage?n
"Why,n said she, II hardly know,
i don't think have given much con-
sideration to the subject"
Because continued Philip, Il find
my opinions have suffered great
change on this point There was n
time when thought it unwise, but now
if l could get good wife, such as you,
for example, should be inclined to try
it,
80, lor, Mr.. Manson" said Miss
Pceston, in some perturbation, show
you talk"
Five minutes afterwards Miss Preston
had accepted the proposal of Philip,
purposes, engaged.
THE only thing think Of, said the
gentleman, after pause, sis that my
sister Esther is decided enemy TO
marriage and hardly dare tell her
that am about to marry, If we only
go away and have the ceremony per-
formed it would be pleasanter.
Suppose we 90 to New York." sug-
gested the bride-elect
"A good idea, Well 90. When can
you be ready?n
Next Monday morning"
So next Monday morning was agreed
upon. 1t so happened that Esther was
to start on Monday afternoon for the
same place, with the same purpose in
view-but of this coincidence neither
party was aware.
The reader will please 60 forward a
week. By this time the respective
parties have reached New York, united
in the holy bonds of matrimony, and
are now legally husband and wife,
They were located at hotels situated on
the same street, and even on the same
side of the way, but were far from be-
ing aware of the propinquity. On the
morning succeeding the two marriages,
for by singular chance they happened
on the same day, Mr.. Bigelow and
Esther started out for walk down
street. 1t SO happened that Philip and
his wife were at the same moment walk
ing up street, The natural consequence
was that the two parties met.
Good Heavens! my sister, exclaim-
ed Philip.
"Merciful goodness! my brother!'
returned Esther
What brings you here with Mr.,
Bigelow?"
NAY, how happens il that you are
here with Miss Preston"
Miss Preston as nor nay wUe!'
"And Mr.. BigeloW is my huSbondp
"But l thought you were opposed to
matrimony"
''And l supposed you were equally
So
my friends" interposed Mr.. Bige-
low, ''this is a day of surprise-but |
trust of such nature that we shall all
be made the happier thereby. My re-
gret, Mr.. Manson, at robbing you of
your housekeeper is quite dissipated
by the knowledge that you have so soon
supplied her place" ---~,ra--.