The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1890-01-25


home in the East say that both the young
peoples hearts were nearly broken by
the separation. That was in 1850. Four
years later Abrams closed out all of his
interests East, and coning to Chicago
met Rachael again, handsomer than
ever, although little past thirty, and
still fancy free. He became more marked
in his attentions, escorting her to
church and concerts, but avoiding the
subject of marriage. Rachael, who is a
close friend of my wife, confided all
these things to her, and more than two
years ago she must have been advised,
for things came to crisis Christmas,
1887, when Abrams and Rachael were
married at my church. The truth was
that one night when they were going
home from the Central Music Hall, where
they had been listening to the oratorio
of ''The Messiah" Abrams asked her
how she enjoyed the evening.
Very we'll, indeed, replied Rachael;
such marvelously perfect music
Such good quartette, said Abrams.
"'And such rare company, said Ra-
chael.
abrams lodged. He wondered if she
meant her company or the company in
general.
" o. said he, uneasily, the companies
one sees there are always good
ST was very near Heaven, said Ra-
chael, fervently, and she may have nes-
tied still little nearer, but no one can
tell about that.
eyes, very good music said Abrams,
growing desperate and imbecile.
Zone could almost wish to stay there
forever
$50, you'll be glad you came away
said the long-suffering man wildly, and
quite unmindful of where he was drift
| ing.
"'Will 1? Why?' queried his COM
panion.
Because I-because-O, Rachael, if
you will only marry me life will be one
long ''Halleluiah Chorus" for me, and |
will be to you the best and truest of
husbands. 1t was all over. 1t took
him fifteen years to ask her, but he did
it very nicely when the time came. And
since their marriage they have lived to-
gether in all peace and happiness, and
her skill, no doubt, has led to lifelong
joy"
The Congregationalist did not know of
any long courtships, but he knew of a
short one.
II was riding through Ohio on my way
to Washington one day two years ago."
said he, 'when we stopped at Crestline
for refreshments. The man just ahead
of me in the car was what you reporters
call a kicker. The car was too hot or
too cool, the weather too wet or too dry,
the trainmen were too officious or too
neglectful, the papers were bad, and
every thing went wrong. expected
scene when we went up to the lunch
counter, and rather pitied the handsome
young woman who presided there. My
man ordered his luncheon in a cross,
nervous way, but it was served before
he had time to complain, and he seemed
to like the meal.
'Coffee's just right 1 heard him
grumble. Sandwich decent, too. First
rate pie. That's the best milk I've had
since | left home. Here's your money
and he opened his wallet and paid the
bill just as the train bell rang He
gathered up his change and umbrella
and ran, leaving his wallet. The girl
called after him, but he didn't hear her
and jumped aboard the train. The girl
called another waiter to her place and
lodged out to the train. She had to go
through one car before she found the
man, but she did find him and gave him
his wallet. He seemed to be a creature
of impulses, and took sudden fancy to
marry the woman. He got off the train
with her talking earnestly. was al
most left by the train, and only got on
the rearmost platform. AS we passed
that Strengthening pair-the eccentric
bachelor and the handsome bare-headed
girl-he recognized me and shouted:
"You ship my valise to me. 1t has my
address; I'll stay here did so, and a
month later he had received his grip, had
married the lunch girl and found that
she was jewel beyond compare. have
heard of him once since, and it seems
neither Of them made mistake, al
though both of them took chances"