Year: 1860




certain way that Morgan had, and in which
he always Joined heartily by his wife-my
own cousin, May Stevens that had been-a
way that troubled my curiosity much, until
the one eventful evening that it was satisfied
by hearing the reason why.


All that long sentence without telling what
that way was. or bow he was joined in it by May.


1t was simply this that every time word
was spoken that led to the period when
Charley Morgan first met my cousin May, they
would both laugh very heartily, but would al
ways refuse to tell at what they laughed.
This was certainly very provoking, and | had
little hesitation in telling them so-not once,
but many times-at which they laughed more
heartily than ever, and always ended by kiss
ing each other and looking very affectionate.


determined to have a solution of the mat
ter, If for no other reason than that it worried
Inc. 1 am but woman, and having pleaded
TO the possession of curiosity, | see no reason
why that foble of my sex should elicit no
charity and no reason why sometimes it should
not be indulged. With this resolution, set
forth one evening, when we three, Morgan,
May and myself, were drawn up before the
fire and fairly settled for a talk. There was
no use mincing matters, was my first idea, and
with this thought dashed boldly in with ssMr
Morgan i usually called him Charley, but
was desirous of showing him that was really
in earnest-'Mr. Morgan, why do you always





your first meeting with her is spoken of l''


This, was sure was single question; and
yet, instead of answering it in simple way,
they went back, both of them, on the old
plan and laughed as though the words had
just spoken were the very best joke in the
world. l could do nothing, of course, but
look grave and solemn, which, in a few mo-
ments brought them both round TO looking
the same way, and then May spoke to me Sc
riously, and said:


'sCOuSin Jane, You take our laughing much
more earnestly than thought you would 1t
is only little memory between Charley and
Inc that brings the laugh; TO us it is droll
remembrance, but, perhaps, in telling it, there
would be nothing TO amuse any one.'


This explanation brought hack my good hu-
NOR in an instant, and, with a smile, said:


"Now, May, this is really unkind of you
tor so long have you excited my curiosity
that, even were the story not worth telling,
you should tell it.''


"Well, cousin Jane shall have that story,
May, and will tell it myself to hers
at this declaration was surprised to see
May flush up to bright red, and break out
father vehemently with:


"Now, ,Charley-that is really too bad You
shall not do it, sir. If cousin Jane is to have
the story will tell her myself.'' And then
after pause, she said, sW hen we are alone.o
'sf on shall do no such thing, Madam May
was Charleyss laughing response, as he got up
and kissed May directly in the mouth, just in
time to stop torrent of words that in another
minute, would have poured out, ssYou shall
do no such thing. This time l shall have
my way, and cousin Jane ahall not have her
curiosity excited any more without being sat
isiied.''


| saw there was TO be discussion on that
point, but knew that, in some way, Charley
was sure to come off victor; so, merely say
inn II Hs, LaoI~
4 slipped out of the room, and walked about
the garden until felt sure the point was set
tied, when l went back, and found Charley
and May looking as happy as birds, and laugh
ing the old laugh, usual. As entered
Charley drew up in the rocking chair, and at
ter seeing mesafely deposited in its depths,
said


"Now, cousin Jane, 1 shall tell you the story
ABOUT how first met my wife:


at is just five years ago this summer, that
was granted exemption for one month from
my desk. and went down with my chum, Hor
ace hyatt, to his fathers in old Monmouth,
1he garden of that upjustly abused State, New
Jersey l should never have forgotten that
VISIT, even though had not there met with
an aosenture that had its influence on the
Whole future Of my life. should remember
it fol the real true hospitality of the Hyatt's
for the solid, eld-time comfort of the farm,
Sno 'he quiet way ia which, within couple of
'uays aIter my arrival, was put into posses
sion OF it, and made to feel that it all belong
'e1 &c, 10 me, to do just what pleased with.
!, lnere were plenty of horses, and we rode
mere were plenty of fish, and we fished |;
plenty Of wood cock, and we shot. All this
snaii De spoken with proviso. say we-by
which, let it be understood, do not mean
horace's two sisters, Carrie and Nettie, as
having participated in all these sports. They
.ooe, TO be sure-and charmingly they did it,
.ney nshed, and, am oblighed to confess,
,s's Te'e much luckier than their guest. Butthey
uiu not shoot, though shall not exult over
a aueir lack of this compIishment-they were
sharming enough without it. am sure
'Nai' excite no Jealousy by declaring that, with