Middletown transcript., 1882-03-03
They sat beside each other, danced

they were sent into this breathing WorlC
on purpose for each other.
The next evening they met by ap'
pointment at another ball, and for the
next fortnight the scenes Of the first
night were re-enacted. Sophie did heI
best to rouse her mother to some Oppo-
sition to the Colonel's advances, but
the good, easy old soul said nothing.
Nevertheless an elopement was planned
and carried out. On night appointed
the maid admitted him through the
back parlor window. This ruse was
necessary in order to adjust the prelim-
inaries. Sophie expected that the
maid would inform her mother; but
the stupid girl did as she was told and
admitted the Colonel, who was duly en-
veloped in a Spanish cloak and slouch
hat. This was disappointing to Sophie,
who had practiced all day a desperate
scene to be enacted when her mother
should burst in upon them, and find
the Colonel on his knees.
Amiable Augustus u murmured
she, as the colonel clasped her in his
arms.
Adored angel ~ responded Angus
tus Octavius Caesar.
{" Too fascinating man ~
Too lovely destroyer of my peace -
She was duly overcome with emotion,
and dropped her eyes in good form.
He fell on his knees. She softly
breathed something about prudence and
doubt. He raved and tore his hair,
rolled his eyes in fine frenzy, and
quoted Shakespeare. She was sub
dued and fell into his arms in a graceful
attitude.
The day Of elopement came at length,
and they fed, in the afternoon and a
carriage, when the old lady was asleep.
They drove to the church at a break
neck speed, and the knot was tied.
The bride tainted at the proper time
and awoke with a fascinating start,
looked wildly around and instituted in
quiries as to her present locality. Sat-
isfied on that point, she fell to weeping
Historically and asserting that she was
quite positive she should never be for
given. She demanded to be carried
instantly to her mother, and the car
riage rolled back to her home. The
carriage stopped-the door was opened
and the couple rushed frantieally into
the dreaded presence, and fell on their
knees.
Forgive, forgive p shrieked the
bride, pulling her hair wildly down over
her face.
Forgive, forgive p yelled the
groom, like a maniac, tugging at his
yoatee.
"Cast me not forth - cried the bride.
'sCast us not forth - echoed the
,room.
"Oh frown not upon your only
laughter p shrieked Sophie.
"Oh frown not upon your only
our only son-in-law," said Augustus,
With some embarrassment.
81 am truly penitent,' groaned the
laughter.
I" Me too,' groaned the son-in-law,
his part as well as his gram
mar.
The old lady had by this time got her
yes rubbed open and looked wonder
ngly on the pair and inquired what it
vas all about. After about ten min
ties more of incoherent rawlings, the
ruth wasrevealed, the daughter paused
or reply and fixed her mouth for
maniac laugh.
Il am sorry, Sophie, dear,'' at
ength spoke the old lady in pleasant
one.
;tHa ha ha ~ shrieked the hero
ne, pulling down her back hair and
disheveling' it in due form about
er face.
"Oh woe is me p exclaimed the
ero, beating his breast with both hands.
+" That you did not continued
he old lady.
"Oh child Of anguish - screamed
ophie.
"Oh victim of---of--of circum-
tances over which I have no control -
ried Augustus Octavius Caesar.
That you did not let me know, so
hat could have seen the con-
inued the old lady.
'Oh mother-in-law, read this letter
-no-I'll read it, :" said the bridegroom,
and then you pronounce your dread
if you will. y
With that he unfolded and read a
,tter, signed by numerous, respectable
nd well known people, recommending
ne colonel for clerkship in one of the
apartments, and vouching for his re-
g 1 was about to say" resumed the /,
Id lady, that am sorry that you did
OF let me know, so that l could have
cen present at the ceremony. I am
OF angry, dear. L have no occasion
, be-you know I have always told J
ou that I should never oppose your
mon with anyone on whom you had
xed your affections. There was no
for an elopement."
g Do my ears deceive me ?' said her !
aughter in amazement.
@ DO my ears deceive me ?'' said her '
IN, likewise in amazement. :
g | would have consented cheerfully,
you had asked me-" continued the u
d lady.
do l live ?" family inquired the t
lughter. j
" Am expiring P'' still more family 4
Iquired the colonel. 1
g | have always told you, dear, that