The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1881-03-31
Meanwhile, if Esther had not been SO

Meanwhile, if Esther had not been so
exclusively occupied with her own af-
fairs, she might have noticed that a
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 as
signed, namely, pressure Of business.
The latter she did not observe. her
mind being preoccupied. We, who are
IN the secret, may take the liberty of
following him on one of his business
calls. 1t was at a neat cottage, from
whose front door dangled an immense
knocker, that Philip Manson knocked.
The door was opened by the same Miss
Preston, who, some months before, he
thought g might do' for Mr.. Bigelow.
"Good evening, Maria,' was his sal
utation as 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 finally
calculated:
maria Miss Preston-I mean Ma
ria, what are your opinions about mar
riage?''
'.Why," said she, 81 hardly know
L don't think have given much consid
Grafton to the subject"
Because" continued Philip, Il find
my opinions have suffered great change
on this point. There was q time when
L thought it unwise. but now if l could
geta good wife, such as you, for ex-
ample, L should be inclined to try it."
80, lor! Mr.. Manson" said Miss
Preston, in some perturbation, "how
you talkr'
Five minutes afterwards, Miss Pres
ton had accepted the proposal of Philip
and the two were, to all intents and
purposes. engaged.
1.-The only thing l think off, said
the gentleman after pause, ''is that
my sister Esther is decided enemy to
marriage, and l hardly dare tell her
that | am about to marry. If we could
only 60 away and have the ceremony
performed, it would be pleasanter.
''Suppose we 90 to New York." sug-
gested the bride-elect.
GA good idea. Wen 60. When can
you be ready?"
"Next Monday morning."
So next Monday morning was
agreed upon. 1t SO happened that Es-
ther was to start on Monday afternoon
for the same place, with the same pur-
pose in view-but of this coincidence
neither party was aware.
The reader will please 90 forward a
week. By this time the respective par
ties have reached New York, been unit
ed 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
being aware of the propinquity. On
the morning succeeding the two mar
riages, for by a singular chance they
happened on the same day, Mr.. Bge-
low and Esther started out for walk
down the street. 1t so happened that
Philip and his wife were at the same
moment walking up street. The natural
consequence was that the two parties
met.
'.Good heavens!my sister," exclaimed
Philip. - o.
Merciful goodness! my brother!"
returned Esther.
"What brings you here with Mr..
Bigelow?' .... ~.
NAY, how happens it that you are
here with Miss Preston?'
Miss Preston is now my wifer'
"And Mr.. Bigelow is now my hus-
bandr'
"Bat 1 thought you were opposed to
matrimony."
s"And 1 supposed you were equally
500
my friends" interposed Mr.. Bige-
low, ''this is 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.
The sensation excited in the village
by the return of the two brides with
their respective husbands may be bet
ter imagined than described. 1t gives
US pleasure to state that neither Philip
nor his sister ever had occasion to re-
gret the double elopement.