1 lr& mm lllli c e: AN INDEPENDENT FAMILY NEWSPAPER. "TZe." Vol. VII. IVev Bloomficld, Tfi., Tuesday, May 13, 1873. IVo. lO." p lo0mfidb finus. 18 PUBLISHED KVEUT TUESDAY MORNING, BT FRANK 1I0HTTMEE & CO., At New Bloomfleld, Terry Co., Ta. Helng provided with Steam Power, unci large Cylinder and Job-Presses, we are prepared to do all kinds of Job l'rlntliiK In goud style and at Low Trices. ADVERTISING HATES I Tratuimt 8 Cents per lino for one Insertion 18 " " ' twolnsertlons 15 " " " three Insertions Business Notices In Local Column 10 Cents per line. a.For lonRer yearly adv'ta terms will be given upon application. A Hasty Marriage. SOME years ago there lived at Lccmoutli, England, one Edgar Walton. His father held, a situation in the Lceinouth Dockyard, and Edgar was in hopes of obtaining a similar appointment. He was engaged to the daughter of one of his father's friends, and it was ngreed that the marriage should take place as soon as he could obtain a permanent situation, with a salary adequate to the support of the fam ily. The prospect of the young people seemed unclouded, and many were the day dreams in which they rovcllcd ns they wandered through the meadows in tho long summer evonings, aiid talked of their futuro Llpi;lncRs. Some months had thus passed by when, on his return from it short distance, Edgar found his hopes were fulfilled ; he was appointed to tho charge of a body of convicts proceeding to New South Wales, and on his arrival there he was to fill a post similar to that of his father at Leemouth. Away he ran immediately in high spirits to tell bis Alice of his good luck, and to warn her to make preparations for departure. Short time indeed was given for this pur pose ; the ship sailed within forty-eight hours ; they would be married on the mor row, and the next afternoon they would bid along adieu to theirhomes and go forth to seek their fortune in a new laud, lie ran, full of glee, into the well known house, called for Alice, and was told she had gone to spend a week with some relations in tho country. AH his joy vanished at once. It would take some time to communicate with her, for her to come down to Lee mouth ; if she did not arrive in time, and he were forced to go alone, how sad a term ination would this be to all his bright hopes. However, all was done that could lie suggested. Letters wore written to go by the morning's post to tho families she was to visit, and one of her relations was sent off to find her, if possible, that no chance might be lost. Then Edgar re turned to make preparations for the voy age. In tho meantime, Alice, little knowing how much her presence was required at Leemouth, was talking over her fu ture plans, and taking counsel with rel atives as to her outfit. She hod heard that Edgar was in hopes of soon obtaining an appointment, and she felt in un usual spirits, and was merrily laughing with her cousins when her uncle arrived and brought the news of Edgar's summons. Everything was in confusion immediately. Boxes were corded, a hurried adieu was taken, and she was away. All speed was made, but several delays could not be avoided. At length, however they reach ed Leemouth, but only to loam that Edgar's ship had sailed some hours. She was too late he had gone, and per haps they might never meet again on earth. The disappointment was very bitter, but she bore it. She wiped away a few tears, and then returned to her father's house ; but her cheek was very pale and her voice trembled as Bhe spoke. Thus for a week did sadness hang over the family. Then, as they were sitting in silence one evening, in burst a friend, his face radiant with ex citement he showed them a newspaper paragraph Edgar's ship had been obliged to put into Pitch ton Roads through a stress of weather. There was still a chance, This news was almost more difficult to bear than the previous disappointment ; but Alice rose quietly and packed her trunk, though several times the throblng of her heart forced her to stop. Again another journey hod to be performed under the same excietement as before feverishly watching the course of the smoke, the bending of the trees, to see if the wiud still blew from the west; every lost moment, becoming agony every delay seeming to occupy whole hours and ever before her eyes the ship with her sails just openiug to the breeze. At length they reached the end of their journey. She heard, as if in a dream, her father's voice asking, " Is the Vixen still in the bay?" She heard the answer, " Yes yonder she lies in the roada." The words rang in her ears as sho fainted away. ' Edgar had endured a mental trial of no light nature ; ho had experienced ail tho sickness of hope deferred ; he had passed through the bitter struggle between love and duty ; he had seen the dreams of his youth fade away ; ho had spent a week in brooding over his loss ; and now his hopes were unexpectedly re-awakened. The heart might well long for peace after such excitement. But now visions of quiet hap piness stole over his mind as he sat in the vestry of Pitchton Church, waiting until he could see the clergyman. It seemed all so strange to him, he could scarcely believe it was true. Alice had not arrived above an hour before, but sometimes it seemed as if they had never been parted, and some times he would start from his reverie, fancying that he might have been dream ing all that had occurred, and still she might be far away. But as time passed, and the sound of tho organ reverberated around, and tho voices of the singers as they rose and fell bore words of promise in his boart, IiIb doubts and fears seemed to vanish, and his heart swelled with thank fulness and hopo. At length tho service ended, and Edgar told his story in a few wprds to the cler gyman, and begged that the marriage scrvico might be performed immediately ; but as there was no license that was im possible. The clergyman explained this to him ; but feeling much interested in his success, he took him to the surrogate's, to try if a license could be obtained there ; but on the question being asked, the sur rogate declared he could not grant it, sug gesting, however, that the registrar might bo ablo to assist him. To him, howover, it was too late to go until the next day, as he lived at some distance, so Edgar return ed to tho ship. , In tho course of the everfiug he went on board a frigate at anchor there, and saw the chaplain, who promised to perform the marriage service the next morning without requiring a license it not being necessary on board ship. At length he thought all bis troubles were over, and he allowed his hopes free scope for action. The next morning the bridal party ap peared, and every one was of the opinion that a handsomer couple had never been seen at Pitchton. Proud of his bride, and exulting in his success, Edgar ascondod to the deck of the frigate, where again he was doomed to disappointment. The chaplain, found the act dispensing with a license on board ship did not apply to the case of a vessel lying in the roadstead. This was an insuperable difficulty, and the only remain ing resource was for Edgar to make appli cation for a license to the registar. So he borrowed a gig and set off instantly. Meanwhile, Alice was asked to stay at the rectory, where no means were left untried to alleviate her anxiety; but noth ing could induce her to leave the large drawing-room window that overlooks the sea. The house stands within a stone's throw of the water, and from which you can see the whole sweep of the bay. On the other side the coast stretches away for many a mile, dotted here and there with white houses, its hills flushed with a rosy color when the sun sinks low, its lazy outline gradually melting into the distance. Not far from the house is the anchorage; and there, within a mile of Alice, lay the Vixen transport, and still nearer the frigate. To this it was that Alice looked most earnest ly, for the master of the transport had promised not to sail while the other remain ed in the bay. Lower sank the sun; the shadows grew longer; the, clouds became flushed with a rosy light; then their colors became fainter, and deadened Into a sombre gray; the ships were less distinctly seen, but the song of the sailors, as they got up their anchors, was hoard on board som of them, a few put to sea and glided away into the thick enlng night. Alice clinched her hands still more tightly, and her cheek grew paler, and whenever a step wns heard in the hall she would turn suddenly to the door, then quickly turn seaward again. Thus she sat when the shades of evening had blotted out the Vixen from the view, and the tall masts of the frigate could scarcely be seen through the darkness. May we never have to pass through such a trial as this ! Like the musical string overstrained and broken, the mind wound up to too great a pitch of excitement, may yield to the pressure, its rich melodies are gone forever; it is dead to all external im- pulses; to the hand that of old called forth its music, it will respond no more. We cannot toll what such excitement is unless we have passed through a similar ordoal; but we may form, by comparison, some faint idea of it; wy are, perhaps, awaiting a companion with whom we have settled to make some excursion; as the time for start ing approaches, how restless we move about looking every moment at the clock asking again and again how much more time there is eagerly scanning every new comer, and all for some trifling cause, which will bo forgotten a month hence. Then think what would be the agony of excitement if all our prospects of happiness and success in life dependod'upon that ex pected arrival, Meantimo Edgar had driven as fast as possiblo to the town whore the registrar re sided, full of fears that ho might be from homo; but ho found him, obtained the li cense, and now his difllcultics seemed to clear away. Ho had come depressed with anxiety; he returned buoyant with hope. The gray road and shaddowy hedges disap peared, and in their stead the wide mead ow lands of Australia seemed to spread around him, and in the distance rose his future homo, bathed in the moonlight. A loud shout awoke him from his rovcrio, and he hoard some one call to him, " Your ship is going round tho bend." The Vixen had sailed, though the frigate still lay at anchor. Edgar, almost frantic, rushed to the rectory for Alice, and then back to Pitchton. There tho people were all excitement; they bad not learned to ap preciate tho polish of sclllshness; conven tionalism had not yet petrified their sym pathies; there was as much bustle as if the two strangers had been their oldest friends. A boat was got out of harbor, sails were bent, provisions enough to stock a fleet were volunteered all sides, sailors enough to man a frigate offered their services; and Edgar, having hurried on board with Al ice, they set sail amid the tears of the women and the good wishes of the men. For a night and day thdy pursued' the hopeless chaso, nor did they return to Pitchton until every chance had vanished. Edgar was a ruined man; his appointment was lost, and with it all his hopes of suc cess in life. The little property which had belonged to him ho had sold, and invested all I his money in his outfit, or On stock which was now on its way to the other side of the world. But, at all events, he had not lost his brido. So, instead of sitting down to lament his misfortunes, he deter mined to bear them as best he might, and be married forthwith. So the next day the ceremony was performed, and half the town attended; and the rector gave a wed ding breakfast, and the banker's wife made Alice a handsome present, and everybody did what be could to dissipate the air of melancholy which would have attended the marriage. Edgar thon left for London, carrying from Pitchton many good wishes but having little hope himself. But the rector wrote to tho Home Ofllce, mentioning the peculiarity of the circum stances, and representing that Edgar had been ashore on leave, and that the transport sailod before the frigate, contrary to the express promise of the master. In a few days an answer was received, stating that in oonsequence of Edgar's good character, a situation of equivalent value had been provided for him, with compensation for bis losses. So, in due time, the young couple were reaping the fruits of their energy and per severance, and realizing in Australia the pictures of happiness they had often con jured up at home. To those who despond nnder difliculties and are ready to yield to the suggestions of despair, this true histo ry may perhaps speak words of encourage ment. , tW One day II iron went to see Voltaire, but did not find him at home. In order to excite his iro, he wrote on the door, " Old Villain." Two days afterward he met the author of the " Henriado" in the street. . "I was at your house," he said to Vol taire with a sneer, "but did not find you at home." ' "I know" replied Voltaire! "you loft your name on the door." tV Great occasions of serving Qod pre sent themselves but seldom, but little ones frequently. Now he that Is faithful in that which is little also is faithful in much. LAWYER TEMPLE'S PLOT. OLD WALTER KILBORNE died and left a fortune that aggregated nearly a million. The gloomy old house which had been the family residence for many a year, stood in one of the down town streets that had once been the site of the fashionable residences of New York city. But the wealthy had long ago removed to the avenues, leaving the perverse old mill ionaire' to hold his own among the growing business of the once aristocratic thorough fare. A bunch of black crape still hung on the bell knob, four days after the funeral, when a bent, wily looking man pulled it. Being admitted, he was shown into the dingy room which Mr. Eilborne had in his life used as an ofllce. This bent and wily looking man was Lawyor Whitemore. " Good morning," said th6 lawyer, as Robert, a grandchild of the dead million aire, a young man who showed plainly enough the marks of rough social usage, entered and extended his hand rather list lessly. , " Good morning," was the reply. "Well." " Well ?" echoed the lawyer. " You got my note ?" "Asking me to meet you here? Yes; what do you want?" " You diew my grandfather's will?" " I did, two days before he died." "What were its contents?" " I have no right to toll you," and Mr, Whitemore tried to look severe. " It is with the Surrogate now, and you willknow4 its contents on Thursday, when it will be officially opened. I couldn't think of vio lating my official " "Not unless you are paid for it," inter rupted the younpj man. "I understand that perfectly well, and will be plain and brief with you. As you are aware, myself and my cousin Myra are the only living relatives of my grandfather. Wo have been brought up hero in this house togeth er, and each hates the other as much as possible. Now, I've no idea how the prop erty is left, and 1 want to know. Iam willing to pay for the knowledge in advance of the opening of the will, and you have it to sell." The lawyer assented with a cool nod of his head. "Then namo your price," continued Robert. "One thousand dollars." " I haven't so much." "A note for a month will do." The document was quickly written out, signed by the young man, and transferred to the lawyer's pocket. " The will," then said Mr. Whitemore, " is a strange one as strange as the man who made it but he would listen to no advice, and I had nothing to do but carry out his wishes. He leaves all his property to Myra Kilborne." " D n him I" hissed Robert. "Hold," ' said the lawyer, "until you hear the conditions. He leaves all his prop erty to Myra, as I said before, on condition Jliat she shall immediately Bign an agree ment to, within a year, become your wife. If she shall decline to fulfil this condition, the ' property belongs to you. .The only other point is, that in case Myra is married to anybody before the will is opened, she gets the property the same as if she marries you. But that provision, of course is of no consequence, as she is not likely to marry before day after to-morrow, which will be the Thursday on which the document is to be opened. ... ' Here the lawyer stopped and looked into his companion's face as if expecting an ex pression of displeasure. He was disap pointed, however, for Robert seemed rather satisfied than otherwise. "It pleases me well enough," be said, " for I half expected to be cut off uncondi tionally. You see, I've been rather fast, and the old man disliked It, while Myra's geutle ways and attention to his wants won his regard. She is completely bound up in her lover, Harry Perton, who is hun dreds of miles away just now; and I don't believe Bhe would give him up for the for tune a dozen times over. Even if she should consent to man me, J wouldn't be so badly off with the property almost under my control." The lawyer here arose, bade his unscru pulous patron good day and went out. But as he did so, had his ears been younger, he might have caught the sound of rustling skirts fleeing up the stairway those same skirts enveloping the pretty form of Myra Kilborne, who hod heard every word of the Interview by listening at the door. "So, so," she mused, when she had reached her own room and thrown herself into the chair, " I am to buy the fortune by selling myself. I won't do it. I would not give up Harry for fifty times a million. Robert can take the money, and much good mayit do him." Yet, notwithstanding her conclusive de cision, Myra could not relinquish without a pang the fortune to which she had always looked forward as her certain portion. Her grandfather bad always seemed to regard her with affection, and she had not dream ed that in his will he could impose such a distasteful restriction. " If Harry was only here," she thought, . " there would not be any trouble, because we could get married bofore Thursday. What shall I do? I wish I had somebody to advise me. And I can have a lawver is what I want They are up to all sorts of tricks, so they say." Without a moment's delay she dressed horself for the street and went out. She know no lawyer, but walked until she came to a building upon which she had often noticed an array ot legal signs. Passing , up stairs, and selecting a name from tho lot that chanced to strike her most favor ably, she entered a well furnished ofllce: A middle aged man sat alone writing at a desk. " Is Mr. Tcmplo in ?" ask Myra. " Yes," said the man, looking up at his pretty visitor, and motioning her to take a scat, "that is my name." " I have come for some legal advice sojno advice on a matter of the greatest im- ' portance to me, and " "If I am to aid you." said the lawyer kindly, " you must speak frankly and un- roBervedly, which you may do in tho utmost confidence" Thus encouraged, Myra told him tho whole story of the will, the manner in which she had obtained information, and her feelings in the matter. ' " Of course," she concluded, "I want to retain the fortune, but not at the price stipulated iu the will. Can you holp me ?" Mr. Temple sat for a while iu deep thought so long in fact, that Myra got fidgety with waiting. At last his face brightened with an idea, and he at once im parted it to his fair client. For an hour thoy were in close consultation. That day and the next passed, and Thurs- day camo. The will was to be read in the Surrogate's office ; at twelve o'clock, a car riage drove up to the Kilborne residence. In it were Mr. Temple antl two of his in timato friends. The former alighted and entered the house. In a moment he re appeared with Myra. She acted a littlo nervous, but soemed reassured Ty the pres ence of the lawyer, who helped her into the carriago, and all were taken way. They proceeded to the residence of a cler gyman, where they were evidently expect ed, as they were shown promptly into the parlor. The reverend gentleman entered, and the lawyer stepped forward with Myra. " We are the couple sir." The marriage ceremony of the Episcopal church was performed, a certificate was made out, the two friends signed it as wit nesses, and the quartette were soon again seated in the carriage. " Drive on to the Court House," said Mr. Temple to the driver. The Surrogate, the clerk, Robert Kil borne, Lawyer Whitmore, and a few others were in the surrogate's office when the '"wedding party," returned. It was just twelve o'clock. The wilV was read and Robert turned rather superciliously to Myra for her decision. . -' " Will you sign the agreement to marry me?" he asked. " No," she replied. " Then you resign the property to me ?" and a gleam of triumph shot from her eyes. ' "No I". " That will provides," said Mr. Temple, "that she shall take the fortune if married at the time of its opening. She is married to me, and here is the certificate. The ceremony was performed an hour ago." On the same day proceedings were insti tuted by Mr. Temple on behalf of Myra to obtain a divorce for himself. " Abandon ment" was the ground. A few days later Harry returned, and bufore the day ap pointed for his marriage to Myra alio had . obtained a divorce from Mr. Temple. The latter was one of the jolliest of the guests. ' "If it hadn't been for you "begaij the grateful bride. . . "Stop!" interrupted Mr. Temple. , "I am to put it all in my bill. For the will suit so many dollars ; for the divorce suit, so many more dollars you boo I am the one to be grateful after all." But no bill for legal services was ever paid with a better grace. , .
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