2 ljc hms, Kcu) SBIomnftdti, )a. A Disappointed Bridegroom; 'ri"MIEnE ain't any use o' talkln', I JL hev sod ye should marry John Fairbanks, and ye shall, if there's a power in this 'ere world to make ye." And old Farmor Wilkes laid clown his gleaming scytho, which be had been using vigor ously all the forenoon, and removing his broad-brimmed straw bat from bis gray bead, be proceeded to wipe the sweat from off his sun-browned forehead, as coolly as if he bad not, a moment before, by bis cold and cruel words, caused the heart of bis pretty daughter Nellio to sink like lead in her bosom, and a half resolve to spring up within her, to leave her borne, the home of her childhood, and go away, anywhere, rather than marry a man whom every feeling of her sensitive nature shrank from with a feeling of utter loathing. She sank slowly to the ground, and, burying her face in her hands, sho hurst into a passionate Hood of tears, while her father, with a scornful "umph," turn ed on bis heel and strode towards the farm bouse standing in the distance. And now for an explanation of our story. When Nellie Wilkes was two years of age bcr gentle mother died, leaving her petted child to the care of ber daughter Emma, who was at that time only 15 yoars of age. The death of Sirs. Wilkes was sudden and unexpected, being caused by heart disease. To all appearance as well as usual in tiie morning, at night she lay a corpse. Stricken by bis great grief, Ebon Wilkes changed from the kind father to a cold, calculating man of tho world, and in about three years he married au old maid, who at once proceeded to make bis home a perfect torment to his three children, Emma, Alfred and Nellie, so that when Emma's father told her that he bad se lected a husband for her, sho quickly acquiesced, aud immediately married. Luckily for her, her busbaud proved good and kind, and in time she learned to love him. His second wife had born to Eben Wilk es one child, a boy, who was, at tho time our story opens, about 13 years old. Burt Wilkes, strange as it may seem, was a laughing, ruugish, but withal a loving, tender-hearted boy. He seemed to worship Nellio, and bis affection was warmly re turned. Time passed on. When the war of the rebellion broke out, Alfred Wilkes was among the (Irs t to enlist, much to the an ger of bis father, who wanted his work on the farm. He was also among the first to fall. His sister mourned bitterly for him, but the only remark the old farmer was ever heaid to make was, " It served him right. He bad no business to havo gone." While Nellie's grief, caused by the death of ber brothor, was at its height, she ac cidentally became acquainted with a young man , named Theodore Burton, and there sprung up between them a friendship which soon ripened into love. Young Burton was stopping at the village of C , five miles distant from Nellie's home, and his visits were very frequent, notwithstanding the coldness and evident dislike of the old farmer toward him. At length he ventured to ask for the hand of the gentle Nellio, and was, as he feared peremptorily refused, and forbidden ever to enter the bouse again. But the young and ardent couple mot very often after this, although su cautious were they in their meetings that they were unknown and unsuspected by any one except the fun-loving Burt. At length, after having used every ar gument in his powor, but in vain, to per suade Nellie to elope with him, Burton was staitled by another call fur men, and he met her for tho last time for the present, pel Imps forever, in the grove at the foot of a long hill at the back of the old farmhouse. Poor Nellie ! Wbeu she heard that her lover was about to leave her for the perils of the terrible war, she stood gazing at him with wild agony depicted on bcr pale face, and for a time, with tears rolling down her cheeks, besought him not to go ; but a natural patriotic heart prevailed, and at length she bade bim adieu with an almost cheerful voice, and returned to ber duties with the consciousness that she bad done aright. Time lied. They could not exchange letters, for of course they would have been intercepted, and a year pasted ere she beard a word of ber absent soldier. At length, in an old paper, which was accidentally left at the farm-house, she learned that he bad been promoted to the rank of colonel as a reward for bis bravery. A few weeks afterward, Nellie received an invitation to visit ber sister. Much to ber delight, bcr father gave bis consent, and she departed for ber sister's quiet borne with a lighter heart than she bad known for months. But, alas 1 soon came the news of a terrible battle, and among the list of missing soldier she read the name ' of Colonel Theodora Burton. A violent brain fever followed, and when he arose from ber bed of sickness she was changed indeed. Never was a smile seen on her lovely face, and when ber father came to carry ber home, she bade her sis ter good-bye, and returned to the old drudging life without a murmur, but with an Inward prayer that she might die. But her trials were not yet ended. About a week preceding the time our story opens, sho was summoned to the kitchen, where sat her father, with his usual forbidding countenance, and ber step-mother, with a triumphant look on her ugly features, which told Nellio that something unusual was about to transpire. . "Wall, Noll," said her father, ' nt last, " I have found a man that will be just tho one for you. Ho is rich, owns a good farm and lots of cattlo ;" and here the old man peered at Nollio through his old spectacles whilo the newspaper which lay in bis lap, slid to the floor. "Yes," joined In Mrs. Wilkes, "he is a real good man ; you could not do bet ter ;" and with the last word proceeded to take a pinch of snuff, as if to enforce hor remark. Nollio stood as palo as death, glancing from one to the other. At length she said, " Father, do not uigo mo to many at present. I am young yet, and I do not wish to marry for many yoars toVomo, and besides mother needs my help about tho house." The old man burst into a hearty laugh. "Ah! I see," said he ; " You can't pull the wool over my eyes just yet. I want yo to marry John Fairbanks, and I mean ye shall, so no more words about it. If ye aro so willing to help yer mother, ye can go about it as soon as yo please. I don't want to hear anything about that Theodore Burton. He is dead, I hope, and it is just aB well, for you should never have married bim if be had lived. In just threo weeks ye shall be the wife of John Fairbanks. Now go. Not a word" as sho was about to speak" we have said all that is nec essary on the subject. So go about your work." Poor Nollio !" She wept herself to sleep that night, and for many nights suc ceeding. But the subject bad not been re newed until tho day our story opens, and the reader already knows what had been its termination. As Nollio sat, weeping bitterly, among tho new-mown hay, she suddenly heard a step beside her, and in a moment nn arm was thrown around her neck, aud a tender voice Burt's voice said, " Dear sister, what troubles you ? Tell me, that I may help you ; surely, you used to trust mo." Nellie drew closer to his sido, and said, iu a voice broken by bcr sobs, " It is im possible for you to help me, brother ; but, nevertheless, I will tell you." And in a few words she explained all. Burt was silent for several moments. At length bo said, "Come, Nellie, dry your tears and come in to dinner. You shall not mairy that horrid man, for I will carry you away, and hide you first." And i the devoted boy assisted Nelly to her feet, and led ber to the brook which flowed along a short distance from where they had been sitting. After bathing her flushed face, they walked slowly toward the house. A long July day was drawing to a close. Tho sun had just gone out of sight behind tho western bills, the terriblo heat of the day had subsided, and a cool, gentle breeze had sprung up. Nellie sat by the sitting room window, with ber head leaning on her hand. In less than a fortnight, if noth ing happened to prevent, she should bo the wife of a mau she despised. A Bhudder passed over her frame, and the tears rolled slowly down ber cheeks. Suddenly, a loud, hoarse voice broke on her ear, and the words, "All right, fanner Wilkes, I'll find her," and in a moment more John Faiibanks strode into sight. He was very tall aud slim, and bis shoulders were much inclined to embonpoint. His hair and long coarse whiskers were of that detestable color called red. He was dressed iu a long farmer's frock and a slouching broad-brimmed bat adorned his head. As Nellie saw bim coming, sho sprang up, and would have left the room, but Mrs. Wilkes quickly arose and went out locking the door after her. She immedi ately unlocked it, however, admitting John Fail bands. Nellie sank bank into her chair and neither looked up nor spoke, or in any way intimated that she know bo was there. "Wall, Nell, how air ye to-night? I tho't I'd come round and spark ye a little." Mr. Fairbanks drew bis chair to ber sido, and endeavored to put hi arm around her waist, but she spiang quickly to her feet, and in a quick, angry voice commanded bim to leave the room. John arose quick ly, while a look of amazement overspread bis face. It soon passed away, however, and he grasped Nellie by the arm and re seated her, at the same time saying, " Hey day, and pretty miss, and what does all this mean ? . It stand you to be a little more civil to me, for I suppose you know that I am to be your husband in just about a fortnight." Nellie' eye flashed fire. "Now, my dear little gal," rosumod John, "be kinder calm, and enjoy the few miniti I will (top with ye this evenln'." And here he put on such a look, which was doubtless Intended to be exceedingly ten der, that Nellie, sad a she felt, could not refrain from laughing. Tbis,.Iohn evident ly considered a favorable change in her de meanor toward bim, for he drew hi chair closer to ber tide, and once more endeavor ed to embrace her ; but she quickly sprang from ber seat, darted paBt him, and seated herself at the window opposite, where Bhe sat quietly watching the gathering shad ows of the approaching night. Just then the door was unlocked aud Mrs. Wilkes entered, bearing a light. Nellie tried to spring past her, but she was too late, and was once more obliged to re seat herself and listen to her lover's conver sation. Suddenly, the door was again opened, and this timo Burt entered breath lessly, hat iu hand. "Oh, John ! I cau see a great light right over in the direction of your house, and I do believe your Iioubo nd barn are all on fire I" The alarmed mau sprang quickly through tho open window and was out of sight in an Instant. To Nellie' surprise, Burt burst into a hearty laugh, which, however, was instantly checked, and bade Nellie go to ber room nt once. Nellio was not slow to obey, aud was soon safe in ber own cham ber. Meanwhile John Fairbanks camo walking furiously back toward the house. " In it a fire?" innocently asked Burt. " No, you little imp o' the evil one ; it's the moon rising. I wish you were thrash ed within an inch of your life." The infu riated man strodo back into the sitting room, but stopped short when he saw his bird had flown. Evidently, be had been outwitted, and with this comforting con clusion he left the house, not, however, without an inward resolve to make Burt sutler for his impudence. A week passed slowly away ; slowly to all except Nellio. It seemed to her that the hours flew. At length it wanted but one week of the intended wedding. If our poor friend Nellie did not intend to marry John she must mature a plan of escape. But whero sliould she go ? Alas I she did not know, and at times she was nearly fran tic. On tho day in question, Burt had gone to tho village of C , and Nellio was looking anxiously for his return home why, she did not know. She little thought ho would bring tidings of bim whose re mains she supposed were lying on a South ern battlo-field. She sat by the window, watching, for a long time. At length, Mrs. Wilkes entered the room, and, coming to Nellio's sido, rested one hand ou her shoul der, saying, in the first kind words she had addressed to ber for a long time. " Nellie, won't ye come out and help me a few min utes ? I am real tired, and I want to finish your new gown to night." Nellio shuddered, for she knew that the dress in question was intended for bcr wedding. But she arose, did her stepmoth er's usual work without a murmur, and then returned to ber seat by tho wiudow. At last the old bay mare was seen toiling slowly up the hill, finally stopping in front of tho house. " Nellie, come out here and bold old Kit ty while I tako out my grist," said Burt. Nellie arose with a sad smile, for tho idea of old Kitty's running away was utterly preposterous, and she knew at once that Burt bad something of importance to com municate. As she appeared in the door-way, Burt continued : " I never saw the beat of old Kit. She is certainly growing young, for, if you wil believe it, mother, sho has run away from me twice." "That' strange," said Mrs. Wilkes; " It won't be safe for you to drive ber af ter this." Nellio stood patiently holding poor old Kitty until Burt bad taken out the grist, and then he approached and banded her a folded paper, telling her to go to ber room beforo opening it. It was with difficulty that she managed to conceal her anxiety from ber stepinother,but she succoeded,and at last was at liberty to retire. Once in her own room she quickly opened the note, for such it proved to be. One glance ut the contents, and with a glad cry she sank fainting to the floor. When ber senses returned, Burt stood over ber, bathing her temples. " What has happened ?" said she, at length ; but as she spoke a remembrance of tho pre cious note came slowly to her memory, and she endeavored to spring from ber bed. But Burt laid her gently back, and taking the note, read a follows : My Own Nkllib. Doubtless you will be very much surprised to receive this, and I hope you will be very glad. I have not time to write much, but please meet me to-morrow, at three o'clock, at our old trysting place. I remain, as ever, your devoted lover. Tiikodoiie. "Where did you see bim, Burt?" en quired Nellio. "After I got my grist, I thought I would go to the station to see the cars come in. I stood on the platform until the cars had started again, and was just think ing ot starting myself, when a band was placed on my shoulder, aud a familiar voice said, ' Burt, my boy, have you no welcome for me?' I looked up and a soldier stood before me. I did not know bim, but I beld out my hand, which bo immediately grasped. ' My dear sir, said I, you have the advantage of me. What does this mean ?' " ' Don't you know Theodore ?' said he. And then, ob, Nellie, I was so glad that I could not help jumping up and down for joy!"' "But is he then changed so much?" asked Nellie, sadly. " He was taken prisoner, and he is awful thin, but as soon as he told me who be was, I could sco for myself that it was bim, and no mistake. I told bim all about your trouble, and the team rolled down his cheeks. After a while, he concluded not to let any one know that he had re turned, and that is all I can tell you about him, but be will tell the rest to-morrow. I must go now, or the folks will think strange of my staying up here so long." And kissing her fondly, he left the room. Nellie rose early the next morning, and Burt could scarcely believe bis eyes, when ho saw her bright, happy face and rosy checks. Her mother saw the change and inquired the cause. "Oh, I have concluded to be happy once more, get married and be an obedient daughter, Bince I cannot change father's opinion about John," returned Nellie. But as she afterward declared she never felt so despicable iu her life as she did in thus deceiving her old stepmother. Threo o'clock came at last, and Nellie stole away to the old trysting place. Theodore was not tbero, and she seated herself to await bis coming. A half hour passed, and then sho beard a step beside her, and in a moment she was clasped in Theodore's arms. I will pass lightly over tho meeting. At last they arose from the bench whero they had been sitting and walked arm in arm toward the village. They walked iu silence for some minutes, but at length Theodore said, "Nellio, you will not hesitate to elope with mo now, will you?" The girl blushingly laid her head ou his shoulder and murmured, " No, dear Theo dore ; I havo no choose between that and a life of misery." "Then," said ho, pressing a fond kiss on her brow, " meet me to-morrow night at nine o'clock. It will bo best that Bnrt should accompany us as a witness ; and he can assist yon to enter tho house when wo return." They talked a few moments longer and then he accompanied ber back as far as the grove, where they departed. The next day passed as usual. Nollio told Burt tho whole of tho plan, and bo readily promised to assist them. Night camo at last, and at nine o'clock Nellie and Burt stole quietly to meet Theodore. They found him at the ap pointed place with a light buggy, in which were soon whirling lapidly along to tho villago of N , some ten mile distant. There was but one clergyman in the village of C , and he had been en. gaged to unite John and Nellie. As the young couple wished the preparations for that interesting ceremony to go on, it would simply spoil tho whole affair to ac quaint him with the change to be made iu the bridegroom. Their business at N , was soon ac complished, and Burt and Nellie, or Mrs. Burton, arrived home without their absence being discovered. Tho next day was a rainy, disagreeable one, and in the afternoon John came over to see Nellio. She treated him respectful ly, but declined bis company for that eve ning ou account of her work. The days passed quickly away, aud at length the day, or rather the evening ar rived, which had been appointed for the wedding. Emma and her husband camo late in the afternoon, and were agreeably surprised to find Nellie looking so happy. At eight o'clock John and the minister, Mr. Leland, arrived, and in a few moments Nellie entered the room, dressed in pure white leaning on Burt's arm. After a few moments' general conversation, the minister arose, and announced his readi ness to perform the ceremony. John arose and approached Nellie. Sho gave him ber hand, and they stepped be fore tho minister. The usual preliminaries were passed through with, and the usual question, " Wilt thou take this woman to be thy wedded wife?" &c, was addressed to John. He responded, in a loud voice, "Yes, sir." Then the minister turned to Nellie, and asked, " Wilt thou tako this man to be thy wedded husband ?" &c. To tho aston ishment of all, with the exceptiou of Burt, Nellie withdrew ber baud from John's, and, stepping back, said, in a loud clear voice, " Excuse me, sir, but I am already married. It will be Impossible for me to answer your question otherwise than by 'nay.'" It seemed for a moment as if all pres ent were struck dumb. Mr. Wilkes was the first to recover his self-possession. "What Is the meaning of this?" he cried, springing to his feet. "It moans," said a low, deep-toned voice, its owner entering the room as be spoke, "that Nellie is my wife, and that you have been outwitted." Tbeu he turned to Nollie, " Come, Mrs. Burton, are you ready to accompany me to my boarding placo?' tor an answer she took the hat and shawl which Burt banded ber, and be fore tho party recovered from the new surprise of seeing bim whom all sup posed long since dead, the bappy coupln bad left tho bouse, and were ou their way toC . We will pass over the chagriu of Mr. and Mrs. Wilkes and John. It can be better imagined than described. John returned home not quite broken-hearted, but furious at his disappointment. Mr. Wilkc has never forgiven Nellio. She cannot lay bis anger to heart very much, however, for safo within the home which Theodore baa provided for her, sho passes the days in quiet happiness. Never Known to Fail! THOMPSON'S ' Fever & Ague Powders FOll THE PERMANENT CURE OF CHILLS AND FE VER, DUMB AGUE, OR ANY FORM OF INTERMITTENT FEVER I The Greatest Discovery of the Age S TIMIERE are no diseases so debilitating In JL their effects upon tho constitution as tho above, and none more dilllcult to cure by the usual modes of pructlce. The Fever and Ague Powders will effect a cure In cases of the long est Btaudlng, as well as provo a preventive In the forming Btagcs of disease. Being purely Vegetable, they art with certainty on tho dis easo, totally eradicating it from the system, and preventing a ruturu at any future period. Why waste your money and health iu trying every medicine yon hear of, when Thompson's Fever and Ague Powders have never failed to cure the Chills in any case. REASONS WHY THEY ONLY SHOULD BE USED i Tlieir Reputation it IMabluhcd. Thousands of testimonials have been received, showing that these Powders have performed miracles in curing caBes of long standing, many of them considered hopeless. Then it no Iiitk in Taking Them. They contain nothing Injurious, and, therefore, cause none of those lingering diseases so often the re sult of tho many nostrums of the day. Physi cians recommend them as fur superior to Qui nine, or any othor known remcdy,for they leave the system In a healthy stutc, and the patient beyond the probability of a relapse. BEWARE OF COUNTERFEITS. The genuine are put up In square tin boxes, with "Thompson's Fever und Ague Powders" stamped on the lid, and the signature of "Thompson & Crawford," ou the wrapper. No others can possibly be genuine. rncpAiiEu only nr CRAWFORD & FOBES, 141 Market St., Philadelphia. THOMPSON'S It II 10 U M A T I C AND HORSE LINIMENT, The Great External Remedy for Bthciiiiiatisiu, Neuralgia, Sprains, Bruises, &c, &c. EQUALLY GOOD FOR MAN OR BEAST. This Liniment has earned for Itself a reputa tion unequalled in the history of external ap plications. Thousands who now suffer from Rheumatism, Neuralgia, &c, would Und im mediate relief from all their pain by using this certain remedy, it Is equally effectual in Cuts, Burns, Scalds, Stiffness of the Neck, Sore Throat, Swellings, Inllammatlons, Frost Bites, Pains in the Side and Back, Bites of Spiders or Stings of Insects. One rubbing will in all cases give immediate relief, and a few appllca- lions complete a cure. On account of its pow erful penetrating properties it Is beyond doubt; the SUREST REMEDY for the most trouble some diseases to which horses and cattle are liable. It cures Scratches, Old and Fresh Cuts and Sores, Chafes produced by collar or sad dle. Injuries caused by nails or splints enter ing the flesh or hoofB, Bruises, Sprains, Swee ney, Spavin, ThruBh, and all diseases which destroy the hoofs or bones of the feet. Fnll directions accompany each bottle. Prepared only lly Crawford fc Fobvs, 141 Market Street, 29bly PHILADELPHIA. Neiv Millinery Goods A.X. Newport, l?u. I BK(i to Inform the public that I have Just re turned from Philadelphia, with a ful assort ment o the latest styles uf Mf LLINERY GOODS, HATH AND BONNETS. KIUBONH, FRENCH FLOWERS FEATHERS, CHIGNONS. LACK CAPEB. NOTIONS, And all articles usually found In a first-class Mil linery Establishment. All orders promptly at tended to. TWe will sell all goods as Cheap as can be got elsewhere . DREHS-MAKING done to order and In the la test style, as 1 get the latest Fashions from New York every month. Guttering done to order, In all widths. I will warrant all my work togive sat isfaction. All work done as low as possible. ANNIE ICKE8. Cherry Street, near the Station, 8 IB 13 Newport. Pa. J. II. OlItVIN. i. n. QIPVIN J. M. GIHVIN at SON, Oommiktietloit HorcliantM, No. 8, SPEAR'S WHARF, It a I 1 1 in o r c . M 1 . 4. We will nay strict attention to the sale of al kinds of country produce, and remit the amount promptly. 6S41y New Pension Law. UNDER an act of Congress approved March S, 1H73, widows of olllcers who were killed, or died of disease contracted ill the service, are now entitled to I2.U0 per month for each of their chil dren. The guardian of a minor child of a soldier who heretofore only received H.uo per month pension Is now entitled to 110. per moth. Holdlers who receive invalid pensions can now have their pensions increased to any sum or rate between IS. and IIS. per month. Koidiers who have lost their discharges can now obtain duplicates. Fat hers und mothers who hint sons In the serv ice iiihiu whom they were deieudeut fur support, can also olilitlu iemlons. The undersigned having had over 10 years ex perience tu the Claim agency business will atteud promptly to claims under the above set. Call on or address LEWIS POTTER, Attorney for Clalniauts, New Bloomtleld, 7 2Ctf. Perry Co., Pa.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers