The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1905-08-31

4 Il neither your mother mol
~o< myself approves your
choice. The son Of 8
drunkard. and one who is likely to be-
come one himself, is no fit husband
for you"
"Oh, father, Vincent will never drink
Intoxicating liquors: he has promised
me that he never will"
Father and daughter sat alone in the
cozy sitting room of their country
home. Louisa was as wayward as a
spoiled child. She was the only one
left at home of the little flock that
once nightly gathered there. Her
brothers and sisters were all married.
The former were brawny, well-to-do
farmers, living not far away, and the
latter contented, hard-working wives
of farmers. Of course, everybody ex-
pected Louisa, when her time came to
leave the paternal roof, to marry some
thrifty tiller of the soil, and settle down
near the old home, as the others had
done.
And it might have been so had not
Vincent Lenoir, with his handsome
face and captivating manners, come
among them and opened her eyes to the
fact that she was not born to drudge
forever in a dismal farmhouse. So
Harvey Webb, the honest, big-hearted
fellow, who the neighbors thought
would lead away the old deacon's pet:
was discarded, and Vincent Lenoir
took his place, and much larger place
than poor Harvey had ever filled in
Louisa's heart!
Vincent had come from distant
city, and for a time he was greatly
lionized on account of his brilliant
mental qualities; but when it became
known that he was in the constant
habit of visiting the village tavern, and
that he often came from there extreme
ly unsteady, people shook their heads.
Then his conduct began to be openly
commented upon, and finally one after
another had turned their faces against
him, till the young man would have
fled in disgust from the village but for
one thing-the deacon's house held an
attraction for him.
He loved Louisa, and went one day
to ask her to marry him just when the
indignation of the order-loving vii
layers was at it's height. and the good
deacon, who had bent his ear to the
general verdict, withheld his consent.
Vincent, fully determined to win the
old mans consent, went back to his
city home, and at the end of six months
again appeared as suitor for the hand
of Louisa.
He was 50 much improved in appear
ance and avoided so entirely the village
tavern, that the deacon. taking into
consideration that Louisa was pining to
a shadow, gave his consent, though re-
luctantly, rs we have seen.
"You can marry. since you seem
so bent and bound to have each other:
but shall give you no setting out nor
honor you with grand wedding such
as your sisters Lad. This man may
take you with your good looks and
your wardrobe just rs they are, if he
loves You we'll enough to care for none
of these things. And he shall have
nothing else, unless"
Louisa was crying softly, and trying
her best to keep her tears from being
seen. They did not escape her fathers
notice, however, though he pretended
Inconsistencies.
"Unless he conducts himself like a
man. and abstains entirely from strong
drink
HE will, father! On, 1 am sure he
winr'
Louisa did not say this to gain the
'setting out" or the grand wedding;;"
she was only anxious that her future
husband should be considered worthy
in her fathers eyes.
WELL, if he does, shall know it:
and if he does not, you will know it,
and feel it most, my child; though it
will make me miserable, too. Now
will tell you how I shall act toward
you, and you must not think because
do what I consider my duty, that am
lacking in love for my youngest child"
The old deacon brushed his sleeve
across his eyes, and went on:
''Lenoir may Rave you, and take you
to his home as soon as you choose.
Your brothers, and sisters. and myself,
will hold no communication with you.
If in five years you can come to us
bringing with you husband who has
lived up to the promise he has made
you, our arms will be open to receive
you both; and then you shall have your
wedding party-your silver wedding,
you may call it, though custom does
not sanction its being held so soon.
What do you say?'
Louisa said just what almost any
woman who loved and placed blind
reliance on her idol would have said.
She accepted the conditions hopefully.
confidently. and went to her new home.
feeling certain that she would triumph
in her husbands rectitude.
Vincent kept his promise for time
faithfully. and Louisa. fully realizing
the happiness she had ANTICIPATED.