Year: 1861

estly by his wife--my own cousin May
Stevens, that had been--a way that
troubled my curiosity much until the one
eventful evening that l was satisfied by
hearing the reason why.


1t was simply this: That every time a
word was spoken that led 10 the period
when Charley Morgan first met my cousin
May, they would both laugh very hearth
", but would always refuse TO tell at
what they laughed. This was certainly
very provoking, and l had little hesita-
tion in telling them so-not once but
many times-at which they always ended
by kissing each other, and looking very
affectionate.


determined to have solution Of the
matter; if for no other reason than it
worried me. l am but a woman, and
having pleaded TO the possession of curl
osity, l see no reason why sometimes it
should not be indulged. With this reso-
luton, ] set forth one evening, when we
three, Morgan, May, and myself, were
drawn up before the fire, and early settled
for talk. There was no time for mincing
matters was my first idea, and with this
thought dashed boldly out with:


"Mr. Morgan"-I usually call him
Charley; but l was desirous of showing
that was really in earnest. "Mr. Nor
gan, why do you always laugh and look
at May when the subject of your first
meeting with her is spoken off"


This, | was sure, was simple ques-
ton; and yet, instead of answering it in
a simple way, they laughed as if the words
l had just spoken were the very best joke
in the world. l could do nothing, of
course, but look grave and solemn, which
in few moments brought them both
looking the same way, and then May
spoke 10 me seriously and said:


"Cousin Jane, you take our laughing
much more earnestly than l thought you
would. t is only little memory be-
tween Charley and that brings the
laugh; to US it is a droll remembrance,
but, perhaps, in telling it there would be
nothing TO amuse any one."


The explanation brought back my good
humor in an instant, and with smile ]
said:


"Now, May, this is really unkind Of
you, for so long have you excited my Gu
riosity, that even were the story not worth
telling you should tell it,"


"Well cousin Jane shall have that sto-
ry, May; I will tell it myself 10 her."


AT this declaration / was surprised 10
see May flush up TO bright red, and
break out rather vehemently with:


"No, Charley, that is really too bad.
You shall not do it, sir. If cousin Jane
is to have the story, l will tell her myself
And then, after pause, she said, "When
we are alone"


"You shall do no such thing, Madame
May" was Charley's laughing response,
"you shall do no such a thing. This
time / shall have my own way, and cous-
in Jane shall not have her curiosity excl
ted any moro without being satisfied"


saw there was TO be discussion or
that point, but knew in some way Char
lev was 10 come off victor, so /, merely
saying that | would be back in few min
utes, stepped out of the room and walk,
ed about the garden until l felt sure the
point was settled, when | went back and
found Charley and May looking rs happy
as birds, and laughing the old laugh a:
usual. AS entered, Charley drew VI
the rocking chair, and, after seeing me
safely deposited in its depths, said:


Now, cousin Jane, shall tell you the
story about how first met my wife"


at is just five years ago this summer
that was granted exemption for n montl
from my desk, and went down with my
old chum, Horace Hyatt, to his fathers
in old Monmouth, the garden of that un
Justly abused State, New Jersey.
should never have forgotten that visit
even though / had not there met with al
adventure that had its influence on tn
whole future of my life. / should re
member it for the real, true hospitality
the solid, old-time comfort of the farm
and the quiet way in which, within few
days after my arrival, was put into pos
session of it and made to feel that il al
belonged to me to do just what l please'
with. There was plenty of fish, and W
fished; plenty of woodcock, and we shot
All this shall be spoken Of with provi
So / say we--by which, let it be under
stood, l do not mean Horace's twin sis
ters, Carrie and Nettie, rs having partici
pated in all these sports. They rode, t
be sure, and charmingly they did it; the
fished, and l am obliged to confess the
were luckier than their guest. But the
did not shoot, though l shall not exul
over their lack Of this accomplishments
they were charming enough without.
am sure | shall excite no jealousy by dc
claring that, with one exception, which
shall not mention here, Carrie and Netti
. Hyatt were the most charming girls tha
! | had ever seen, and / was just hesitatin
as to which of them l should fall desper
ately in love with, when my calculation
were all disturbed by an accideut-for s
] suppose must call Though reall
i u