Year: 1860

llltV tuc ubuhE HbAuht anu LOunu . hutfuEeu
things to stop and look at, end talked more
to Joseph than he rad before for six
months. Joseph suSpseted that his walk
was undertaken by Mr.. Wilder for the pur-
pose Of leaving Miller and Debby in the room
together, but he bore it all patiently, and
answered all Mr.. Wilder's remarks about the
weather, his crops, and his fields, with ap-
parent interest for he knew too well the
state of Debby's feelings both towards him
self and towards Miller, to feel any unessi-
ness. At length Mr.. Wilder concluded supper
must be nearly ready, and they returned 70
the house. On entering the psrlOr they found
Miller alone, reading a newspaper


Mr.. Wilder looked vexed


what all alone, Mr.. MillerP said Will
der; 4 shouldn't have staid so long but l
thought Debby would amuse you until we got
back


Miss Debby had some engagement that
required her attention, said Miller, and
asked to be excused; but have found myself
quite interested in the newspaper.


Wilder went out and met his wife in the
hall, and asked her how long II had been
since Debby left Mr.. Miller alone in the par
lor.


She left in three minutes after you went
out, said Mrs. Wilder, 'and l couldn't per-
suads her to 20 back again. She said she
knew you went out on purpose to leave her
and Henry alone together, and she would not
stay. It's no use, William, these things al
ways have their own way, and it's no use try
ing to prevent it.
The supper passed off rather silently and
rather aWkWardly. Mr.. Wilder endeaVored
to be sOciable and polite to Miller, and Mrs.
Wilder, as usual, was mild and complacent TO
all But an air Of embarrassment pervaded
the whole company, and when they rose from
| the table Henry Miller asked to be excused,
and said it was time for him TO return home
wards. Mr.. Wilder endeavored to persuade
him to stop and spend the evening, bat Henry
was decided and said he must 20. After he
had gone, Debby and Joseph returned to the
| parlor, where they were Joined part Of the
evening by Mrs. Wilder; but Wilder, after
walking up and down the dining room for an
hour or two, retired to bed, not however to
sleep. His mind was too much engrossed
with the destiny Of Debby to allow repose.-
He counted the hours as they were told by the
clock till it had struck twelve. Mrs. W. had
been two hours asleep, still he had not heard
Joseph 20 out. After a while the clock struck
one, and in few minutes after that he heard
the outer door rather softly opened and
closed, and then heard Debby tripping light
| ly to her chamber.


'Ah, thought Wilder to himself, ft is as
my wife says, these things will have their
own way. This staying till one o'clock looks
like rather serious business.'


The next day Debby had a long private in
tervieW with her mother, and after dinner
Mrs. Wilder wished to have some conYersa-
ton with her husband in the parlor.


Well, my dear said she, Debby and Jo-
seph are bent upon being married. It seems
that they made up their minds to it some
months ago, and now they have fixed upon
the time. They say they must be married
week after next. Now 1 think we had better
fall in with it in as good feelings as we can,
and make the best Of it. Thee well knows /
have always said these things will have their
own way, and when young folks get their minds
made up, don't think it is good plan to in.
terfere with them. As long as Joseph is re-
spectacle and good to work, think we ought
to feel contented about 1t, although he Is poor.
It seems TO me that there are as many folks
that marry poor that make out well in the
world as there are that marry rich


After a little reflection upon the matter,
Wilder came to the conclusion that his wife
had nearly the right of it, and told her he
would make no farther opposition to the
match; they might get married as soon as
they chose.


We'll, my DEAR said Mrs. Wilder, Dolby
needs little change to get some things with
this Wfek, in order to get marrel.'


How much will she want this weeki' Eaid
Mr.. Wilder.


If thee can let her have fifteen or twenty doll
lars, said Mrs. Wilder, Il think it would do fol
the present


We'll, now, I've no money by me- said Mr.
Wilder, except hundred dollar bill, and it's
impossible to get that changed except by send


ing to the bank, q distance Of ten miles. tried
ell over the neighborhood last week TO get it
changed, but couldn't succeed ! shall be too
busy TO 90 myself to morrow, but if Debby has a
mind to get on the old horse, in the morning,
and takethe bill to the bank and get it changed,
she may have some of the money


This proposition was soon reported TO Dehby,
who said, she had just IS leave take the ride as
not The matter being thus amicahly arranged
with Mr.. Wilder, there was nothing to hinder
going forward with comfort and despatch 10
making preparations for the wedding Debby
was in excellent spirits, and Mr. Wilder was in
unusual good humoF towards Debby. Having
brought his mind to assent to the arrangement
which be had SO strongly opposed, his feelings
were in a state Uf reaction, which caused him to
regard Debby with uncommon tenderness.
The next morning the old grey horse was
standing at the door eating prOvendeT, full two
hours before Debby was ready to start; and Mr..
Wilder had been out half dozen times to ex-
anime the saddle and bride, to see that every
thing was right, and had lifted up his horses
feet one after another, all around, to see if any
ofthe shoes were loose. And when at last Deb
by was ready, he led old grey to the horse block,
and held him until she was seated in the saddle,
and then be handed her the bride, and short
ened the stiTrup leather, and buctled the girth
, little tighter to prevent the saddles turning,
and when he had seen that all was right he
stepped into the house and brought out q small
riding whip and placed it in her hand, and Civ
, ing her hundred charges to take care of her
self, and be careful she did not get fall, he
. stepped up on the horse block, aud stood and
watched her as she TUNED into the road and
ascended the hill till she was out Of sight.
Debby trotted along leisuTely over the long
road she had to travel; but she was too full OF
pleasant thoughts and bright aAticipations to
feel weary at the distance or lonely at the soil
, tude. The road vas but little travelled, and she
/, met hut two persons in tha whole distance
one as shO was ascending q hill about mile
from home, and the other in 8 long valley ol
dark woods, about MIDWAY on her journey -
Had she been Of timid disposition, she would
have felt good deal Of uneasiness when she saw
this last person approaching her. His appear
ance was dark and rufianly, and they were two
miles from ssy house, in the midst of deep
, and silent wilderness. But Debby's nervel
were unraoved; she returned his bow in passing


and kept on her way in perfect eomposure.
She reached the end Of her journey in due
time-hitched her horse in the shed at the vii
lage hotel, aud inquired Of the waiter at the
. door the way to the bank As be was pointing


out 10 her its location, she observed tall, dark
looking man, with dark whiskers and heavy
! eyebrows, looking steadily at her. She, hOwev.


or, tnrned away without noticing him any far
4 ther, and went direct to the bank. When she


reached the door shs found it closed, and learned