New Ulm weekly review., 1885-04-01
MY WEDDING.

Huu out, DuG 'CnaI IS between them
selves, and is none of my business.
A man good enough for Elizabeth and
Janet, and all such ornaments to their
sex, to lay his honest heart at my fool
ish little feet. Iown that for day or
two the honor almost turned my head.
Then I began to consider. had
loved Norman Strong ever since could
remember, and Norman had been nv
friend when no one said kind word to
me. The case stood thus: was an
orphan, left to the care of an uncle and
aunt remarkable for that kind of pro-
priety that wins our admiration and
;awakens our hearty desire to get away
from it. I had a small fortune of $685.
900; that is, was to have it if remain
ed unmarried until I was thirty five, or
if married before with my uncle's ap-
'proval.
Now, uncle did not approve Of Nor
man. In fact, uncle never approved of
any one that I liked. But with Stephen
Barker disapproval was out of the ques-
tion. Stephen was the great man and
the good man of our small town. To
ihave insinuated that Stephen was not
worthy Of q saint, a beauty and an
heiress united would have been heresy
seriously affecting my uncle's social and
commercial standing. Stephen Bark
er's offer was therefore accepted, and the
next Sunday we walked to church to-
gether. s& .I
After this public avowal of our inten-
tions the marriage was considered in
evitable by every person but me. I
must do myself the justice to state that
I never regarded my cement to
Stephen seriously, it was part of plan
to secure my happiness and rights. And
as Stephen fully 'coincided in it do not
expect censure from any else.
think it was no later than the third
night after Stephen had spoken to my
uncle that I frankly told him that I
thought I ought not to marry him. He
asked me why, and I said, "An my
life long, Stephen, I have been crush
ed, unhappy girl. I have been afraid
to speak, or laugh, or sing and no one
but Norman Strong ever said a kind
word to me until you came"
"And you love Norman?" he asked
Ibluntly.
So answered.: "Yes, I love him and
he loves me, and when he got the posi-
'tion of cashier in your bank he wanted
to marry me, but uncle said we were
neither of us to be trusted with my
$25. .O0O."
$50 you have $25, ,000."
"Papa left me that much but Uncle
Miles can keep it until am thirty five,
unless marry to please him, or unless
he is so satisfied of my good sense that
he voluntarily gives it up to me. He
will never do that. -
Stephen was silent long time aud
then he said, a little sadly: "You are a
good girl to he so honest with me. If
your uncle could be made to give up
your little fortune do you think you
II could-with Norman to help me"
Then we had long conversation,
which it is not necessary for me to re-
peat; it will be understood by what fol-
lows. There was no change appar emily
between Stephen and I. He behaved
exactly as lover of his age and charac-
ter would be likely to behave. He
sent Aunt presents from his hot houses,
and he made me presents of pretty jew
elry. He spent the evenings at Uncle
Miles house, and sometimes we were
left alone together, and sometimes we
went out for walk. Norman came to
me occasionally on Sunday night, and
my aunt said he had really behaved
with more good sense than she expected.
I think she thought that if [ married
the banker it might not be bad thing
for my Cousin Malvina, who was very
plain, to marry the bankers cashier.
Everything went on with the greatest
propriety. I had announced my inten-
tion to have an extraordinary trousseau,
and this being point on which aunt
could feel with me, the next four
months were pleasantly spent in shop
ping anu sewing. never III our lGIle
town had there been seen such dozens
of elegantly trimmed undergarments,
such lingerie, such hosiery, such morn
ing dresses and evening costumes, such
wonderful boots and slippers and jew
elry. We held little receptions every
afternoons q month before the wedding,
and-my wardrobe was laid out in the
best bed-ro om for comment and inspec-
tion. - - .fFs
It was about this time thatfStephen
Barker said to my uncle: s"I under
stand Frances has $25. 900. I wish her
to have it so settled on herself, and for
her own absolute use. that I propose,
Mr.. Miles, if you are willing, to add
$4,000 to it, apd buy for her the Stam-
ford estate. It is only three miles from
here, the house is a very fine one, the
land excellent, and then, whatever
changes come, it secures her compe-
tency, for as soon as the railway is fin
ished it will be worth double. What do
you say ?"
Il think your offer extremely gener-
Gus, Mr.. Barker, and of course for such