Fl
gititrt
[From Chamber's Edlnburg Journal.]
THE BRIDE
On, MR. KILLWINING'R THIRD WRDDING DAY
. . 0 Rat-tat tat.tat-tattat 1" went the knocker
at No. 3 Gillyflower Place; and half a dozen
face's from the opposite 'house peeped over
and under, and between the blind to - &Itch'
a glimpse of Mr. Killwinning, who was to
'vim married tomorrow for the third time.
0 Quick 1" said Ellen, (at No. 3's vis-a•vis,)
" there's Mr. Killwinning 1"
. Where ?" said Knte ; rushing over her.
little brother to the window. •
"There—at his own door, beginning al
ready to take'off his coat."
" How very ridiculous !" exclaimed Kate;
" why does he do so ?"
"He is rather eccentric ; it's only a way
ha has," replied her sister. "A way to show
off his figure, his smart waistcoat, and his
fine white linen all at once, to admiring
eyes like ours 1"
" A pretty figure to show off I" laughed
Kate—" a little fusby fat man, with—Oh,
bow' proVokingl" continued she, as the door
closed on Mr: Killinnhig ; "whither has he
vanished."
" Into 1!.E3 doubtless."
"Oh no," said Kate; " there he is in the
dining room, pulling up the blind."
"Oh do come away from the windOw 1"
implored Ellen, "lest he should see , us ;
and mamma would be so angry at our rudo-
floss."
The yoUng ladies retired from the window
to discuss the age, looks, and circumstances
of the, bridegroom whom they had just seen,
together with the-age r looks and-circumstan
ces of the bride whom they had never seen;
and the conclusion•arrived at was that be
was a remarkably neat, good-humored look
ing, little fat man, but Kate thought not at
all desirable for a husband, and that the fi
ancee must be old and ugly, with a great
deal of money--not at all interesting in a
wife.
"Well," said Kate, who was the more se
vere of the two, " I don't envy Mrs. Killwin
ning ; I should like something a little more
dashing and handsome for my husband I"
" And perhaps not be Jttlf,so ,happy,"
sensibly remarked Ellen. "I assure you
notwithst*nding Mr. Killwinning's anti•ro
mantic appearance, he can be very agreeable
and I have no doubt will make a good hus
band."
" Make a good husband l" tauntingly ech
oed Kate, who, just returnettfrom visiting
an aunt in a large commercial town, had con
ceived strange notions of tall young gentle
men with, bushy dark whiskers—poor Mr.
illwinning had none—"your ideas, Ellen
are always so commonplace. It really would
be charitable to persuade Mint to send you
an invitation for a short time, that you
might see a little of the world, but then, who
could keep Charlie and Bob in order, hear
them their lessons,•and mend their clothes
in your absence? Not I, 1,,n sure."
"I have but little curiosity to see the
world, as you call it, and am quite contented
to remain where I am," replied Ellen, " so
long as I am serviceable to my little brothers
and not entirely a burden on poor mamma."
" Well I suppose you like this sort of
humdrum life, and aspire to the 'useful' more
than the 'ornamental' Oh give me the ex
citing gayeties of town life—balls, concerts.
and plays in rapid succession I You have
no idea, Ellen, of the advantage of a brilli
antly lighted, crowded room, to a well'dress
ed woman' it shows her off amazingly her
face all smiles and amiability, the men
think her an angel and, nine times out Of
ten, requesting her hand for the next qua
drille, is the prelude to soliciting it for life."
"Why, Kate," said Ellen, half amused,
andlet a little alarmed at her sister's enthu
siastic 'Manner, "your animated' description
would make one believe you were quite fa
miliar ,with such scenes?"
"Alas, no I" sighed Kate. "Aunt once
contrived to send inn with some friends to a
fancy ball, attired as gipsy girl ; you may
ho suro'my poverty and not my will con.
tented' txiso mean a costume. I saw I then
Where - happiness was to:be found the rich
monopolize :it, and • there is no catching
.even a'glimpse of it . Unless you pOssess that
golden key which is gopen sesame to tboi u r,
exclusive reunions."
The discussion interrupted by the anno.
utteement of"Mrta. and the Miss Jenkenses."
Miss Jenetta, Miss Joanna, and Miss Joinima
Jenkins, followed their mamma into the room
in single file, like geese on a common, and
with not a little of that 'bird's spiteful pro
pensities.
"How do you do, my loses ?" tisliAd Mrs.
Jenkins, in her usual dignified and 41trop.
ising Ananner. Mrs.iClacket it; out, I sup.
pose 't Indeed, I didn't expect to find any
of you itt home.on so sweet a morning ;,ycu
shouldn't mope so, this , fine summer weather;
I always insist on.these children (the young
est was twenty seven) taking the air once a
day ; it gives them — a fine healthy appearance
(they were of lamp post like symmetry,) and
counteracts the effect of the late hOurs of 'the
numerous gay parties they are forced
You are to be at Mr. Killwinning's wedding
tomorrow 7"-
." We have not received any invitation,"
said Ellen, blushing from a'coneiousness of
the slight, which she could not help feeling,
and in Which she knew the Jenkenses would
triumph. •
" Bless me, how very extraordinary ! ex
claimed Mrs. Jenkens, secretly exulting that
the matured charms'of her daughters would
not have to compete with the sprightliness
of Kate, though as fi the ltackward,• awk
ward and retiring nen, she scarcely vouch
safed her a thought. "You quite amaze me!
Poor things 1 I really feel for you. How
ever, my daughters, Jenetta, Joanna, and
Jemitna shall call and tell you all about it;
so, my dears, you must just console your
selves with the wedding at second hand.-
- Jeniima, has a—great talent for imitation,
which enables her most amusingly to take
off all her acquaintances ; so she will giVe
you the airs and graces of the bride to the
life ; and though this is a d'tcided slight—l
should say almost an insult—don't take it to
heart, dearl; I promise you, you shall be at
a wedding when my girls are married. (A
safe promise.) ..By the.by, Miss Kate, have
you -heard-the rank of the bride?". - -
"1 have..not beard," said Kate, who, from
Ars. Jenken's volubility, was allowed to say
cry little. /
" Dear me, S•ou know nothing I" observed
Mrs. Jenkers, who prided herself on knowing
everything.• • " Well, then, I can tell you ; it
is a young foreign countess—a sudden liking
pito a simelar affair to' the FmPeror Napo-
Aeon's choice of the Countess Theba. Of
course you know, Miss Ellen, for you have
been more at home'• than your sister, that
Ar..,Killwittning is very eccentric ?"
" I know nothing more of Mr. Killwinn
ing," said Ellen, -" than to feel convinced
that-whoever hii bride may. be, she will jus,
tify his choice."
"Oh, of course, of course; and that's very
generous of you," impertinently observed
Um. Jenkens, " considering you are not in
vited. Then Mr. Killwinning, being so ex
ceedingly rich, may do just as ho pleases.—
ft's quite an affectation his living in that
small house opposite; but he does so many
out of the way things-4er instance, his send
ing twenty pounds to old lame Nelly, who
had her cottage burned down
~ last week ;
but you don't know that either, I suppose?"
" Oh, yes, I do know that," provokingly
replied Ellen. " Mr. Killwinning happened
to ask me some questions about poor old
Nelly on our way home from church last
Sunday."
" Oh, indeed 1" dryly remarked Mrs. Jen
nings, with something of the feeling which
an unexpected check at chess gives the
hitherto attacking party. " I was not aware
that Mr.. Killwinning was in the habit bf
conversing with you as - you came out of
church I But good-by, loves ; remember us
to dear Mrs. Clacket 1 / Jenette, Joanna, and
Jemima, shall each save you a little bite of
bride cake; So keep up your spirits."
"Now confess," said Kate, when they wore
gone ; ". isn't it mortifying, Ellen, that Mr.
Killwinning should have omitted us in his
invitations, thereby depriving you of one
scene of gayety at least that seemed within
your reach ?"
" N—no," replied Ellen, half reluctantly'.
" As for me,".continued Kato in an exult
ing yet mortified tone, "I am thankful that
we shall be spared the infliction—the wed
ding breakfast will be a tiresome thing, and
of course, altogether, it will be a dreadful
dull affair. . And for my own part, I'd much
rather remain at home, but for the iniperti-
Ilene° ofAhat pompous, patronising Mrs.
Jenkins, with her prim, perpondiculaidaugh
tersHooking for all the world, like half
animated thread papers with silk outside."
" Girls," said' Mrs.'Clacket the mamma.
bursting into thi) rebut out of breath, card
case in hand, just returned from a round of
gossipping morning calls—" girls, go and
look nut your lavender Silks and white lace
s dmlkns direklY. I trust they're not too shab
by fur the occasion," she continued gasping.
and throwing horsolf into a chair; I am
most ans lotto :Olt sionthi make a good- , np,
pearatiqb mind a few shillings for
ribbons. Your pstent leather shoes of course
will do; and your open work thread, stock
ings urn An wiry thing, Do you hoar me 7-
Ilave you. qu riv,urd for I t so foolinga of -a'
utother ? Will you go and look,u'p the la.
vemleisilks?":
eartiste
4 But what for, mamma ?"'asked both girls
at once.
"It was a mistake. !qr. Killwinning says
—I met him just now—that we were the
.first on tho list of Invitation's ; the card has
evidently, been kept back through envy or
mistake—the former no doubt, I am quite
convinced of that, and I am naturally anx
ioub that :my girls -should look better. than
any body else. The Miss Potters, Of emirs
will,.ns usual, be ehveloped in their •ever
lasting white,tarletons, with their red heads
protruding like the sun thrOugh a fog ; I am
not afraid of them , it is the Jmikenses
dread—those forward Jenkenses.l I saw
the three girls come out of Brown's shop,
followed by a boy with a parcel. I think
the parcel looked soft, as if filled with noth
ing but tulle and ribbons—at least, I hope
so—l ',rust there are no new dresses in the
wind.. If they wear
‘ their old 'blue watered
'silks we're safe."
" But who is to. be the bride; mamma ?"
inquired Kate.
"I can't tell iin fact no body knows. Mr.
•Killwinning means to surprise,. us, that is
quite evident. There are vatious surmises
afloat ; some say it is a poor` orphan from
Ireland, his native country ; others fear it
may lie an actress, to whom ho once anony
mously sent a forget-me-not ring`; and there
are apprehentions of a low marriage with a
-pretty servant girl of his mother s ; but as
we have not heard of any bans being pub
lished, or license procured, were all anxious:
ly waiting for to-morrow morning to enlight
en us."
" But, dear mamma," observedKatei "you
speak of Mr. Killwinning as if he were a
bachelor and yet he has been married twice.
What were his, : tirst wives like?"
" Well, my dear I did once condescend tO
converse with his Irish servant, who seems
as eccentric as himself; and he informed me
that the first Mrs. Killwinning was forty when
his master was a boy of eighteen ; neverthe
less, as she had a great deal of money, be
married her, but she lived ninny years to
punish him for his mercenary motives.; then
ha-married a governess who was consumpt
ive, and popped off very soon he Caine
here immediately on her decease—eighteen
months ago. come next August—and has eel.-
tainly made himself excessively agreeable at
all our balls and parties, but without a- rn
mor of - auy intention to. marry again, until
the issue of invitations to his wedding break
fast took us all by surprise ; and, what is
more surprising still, and I think, proves
that his bride must be a mere nobody, the
wedding breakfast is to be at his own house,
and before the ceremony has taken place--L
however, he is very eccentric, and does all
differently from other people." -
The lavender silks were now produced ;
Kate's had undergone severe service on the
visit to her aunt, while Ellen's was almost
as good as new ; it was therefore suggested
by Ellen , faintly opposed by Kate, and ulti
mately and gladly suggested by the mamma,
as Kate was the pet and the elder, and both
the same style of figure, that there should
an exchange of dresss. "It didn't so much
matter for Ellen," who gave up her bright
looking silk quite cheerfully, and really after
hemming up the frayed bottom of the skirt
and rubbing - out a few stains with the last
"new patent reviver," Kate's old gown, like
Dominic Sampson's second suit, seemed "ren
ovated miraculously." The mamma—a
smart widow of two years' standing, with
much to do on very small means—was to be
attired in her becoming second morning grey
satin.
The house was was in a perfect bustle of
preparation, Mrs. Clacket giving directions
to everybody about everything; at last con
cluding the evening's lecture to her daugh-
Wl's in these words : " And now, girls, let
me impress upon you the necessity of 100k- .1
ing your best. Of all parties for Yowl); peo
ple-a wedding party is the most important;
it is so exceedingly catching ; .never pOssing
off without a proposal to somebody.. The
elegant Mr. Henderson, who is evidently
thinking of getting married, will be there;—
and Dr. Quhekem, of Crosbon:Lodge, Caryll
Row, whose sickly wife, notwithstanding all
his skill,and now mode of treatment, can't,
last much louder', • What are ' giggling at,
Kate? .Ellen, you neednft frown ; a moth
er's anxiety justifies my looking forward to
these casualities. The
_times are dreadful.
All the men aro going to Australia—and
what Prospect . has a mother for her marri
ageable daughters ?
,Therefore„ my dear
girls, let me beseech you - to make the most
of yourselves; and, Ellen, as your hair—
like Sampson's— is your strong point, put it
in papers, braids being so universally worn,
the singularity, of ringlets will be attractive:"
The girls prop ised to- obey. their mama
and commenced 11 the mysteries' of curling,
and crimping, t give the hair that, full, wa.
vy appearance, which was to make the tid
flow in their favor, and extinguish the Pot
ters and .I:enkinttes forever. ,
Meanwhile, Mr.diillwining , the . giand cause
- of this excitement, was lounging on the sofa,
sipping his wine and reading Punch in the
cool of the evning, the last of ,his double
widowerhood—when his servant Tim entered
the , room, ;nnd with many bows and scrapes
son. menced
I humbly axes pardon, sir; but Biddy
the c ok has seduced me—as she says its
necessary to the domestic arangetnents of
the establishment—to make so bold as to in
quire whether the misthress alape at home
to-morrow night?
" What's that to you or the cook either,
air?"
" Nothin' in life, sir; and I'm glad for the
honor of the family, that you don't name it.
May I make so bold agin, sir, as to inquire
without offence, if it's your intention to take
a continintal . trip over the provinces in the
expriss thrain?"
:`At fault again, Tim ; ScLI warn you to
make no more impertinent inquiries."
"Long life to your honor—l've hit at last!
Youl do the thing gintaly, as all the Kill
winnings did before you, and go off in true
mOthropolis Dublin style—in an illigent yel
ly poshay-and-four?"
"I shall not satisfy your curiosity, Tim—
so get out."'
"Is it get out ? sure I'm going sir. l i 've
only one confidential communication,
am Ito meet her at the thrain, sir ?"
" Meet whom, Tim 7"
" The misthress. sir."
-"-What-mistress, Tim ?"
" That's what I would like to knoW, sir."
" You mean the future Mrs. Killwinning,
I suppose'?" ' .
" Divil another, sir r
"I don't expect her by train, Tim."
"Then, as this is an in-land,how is she
to come, sir ?"
"Like Venus, rising from the sea; and so
on, completing the journey in the first over
land balloon she meets with," said Mr Kill
wining.
" What with the water and the wind, it'll
be a could journey; sir!"
" Depend upon it, Tim, Mrii. Killwinning
will send you about your business if-you're
so bold."
"Sure, sir, I've always been'lould that my
bashfuliness Bits the better iv me. Didn't
the girls name me 'Timorous Tim' through
Dublin and the parts adjaeint? But there's
one thing troubles me, and I'd like to spake
• If
" Well out with it Tim."
"We've seen none of the courtin', sir; and
the divil a bit of a ladylike letter have you
ever givin me to dhrop into the Post; and
puttin' that and that together, Biddy the
cooks conserved for you, sir, seein' that she's
an Irish girl like myself, and has apprehen
skins that you're struggling under a. delu-
sion."
" What do you mean by a delusion Tim?"
"It is this sir: I wanst knew a gintleraan,
a personal friend of my own, who was, re ;
juced in his circumstances to driviu' a car
around the. Lakes of Killarny ; he was labor•
ing under the same disease as yourself, sir—
that a lady was going to marry him; 'and
when the' weddin•night came, his bride was
turned into a trout and was fried for his sup
per."
" Well," said his master laughing, " tel
Biddy she'll have other fish to fry when Mrs
Killwinning comes home. By the by, Tim.'
"Yes, sir."
" Has my new coat home 2"
"It .has sir."
" And when aro the .waiters to be here
rum Dawson's Hotel to set out the break:
'"At seven o'clock, sir ; the quality is in
vited at nine; seem that's an aisy hour, and
won't put people about. will, Joh' take a fe
vur to-morrow, sir?"
" I hope not Tim unless you call taking a
wife a fever."
"By no means, sir, it's a feVer to put at
the breast. I've got all the feevursin a box;
and. while the tap and colley.'s poorin' out,
I'll be pini!il thim to the postillions and the
horses heads. You'll get to the church, sir,
for I hope you won't be after tying the Hym
enal knot in a hothenish fashion in the house
—before eleven ; and you and Mrs; Killwin
ning, good luck to her wherever she -may
come' from—Will be off by twelve, to kapo
the honey moon in, the yelly Poshay,"
" Now, `Tim, I'vo had enough of you, so,
get. out!'
sir.".
"Take care that every thing leeks well
rpoke the most of the plate and china do yoit
hear?"
"No fears air and my heart's glad that
your taltin' an intherist in the boobs of things.
rice pardon ttgain," said Tim his face.
glowing with anxiety, "but I
bout your personal' appearance, and know
that the ladies is Particular. 'Ever since the
Rheumatics, you tuk to wearin' thim red
night cups—wouldn't a white one be more
becoming sir?"
This was too , much, and Tim was fairly
turned out of the room.
1 . The sun shone brightly on the morning of
Mr. Killwinning third wedding day. ji
half past eight the guests began to arrive.--
Tim had either bought or borrowed a bright
pea-green swallow tailed coat and 'yellow
waiscoat, which was his beau-ideal of a wed
ding garment. He was "determined to do
the thing in style, so far as ho was concern
ed, and according to his own notions of gen
tility, posted himself at the drawing-room
door, to anounce "the quality." I'M getting
unasy, where's the bride to come from
We'll be disgraced entirely ! There's' mai,-
ther lookin' in the drawing room, and nobody
coining to marry him !. Biddy, my jewel:
couldn't you dress yourself in a wrathe of or-
ange blossoms, to kape up the l 'posterity and
respectability of the Killwinnings?"
"Indeed thin, Tim," said Biddy, "I would
not be-afther doin' so unlucky a thing_ as to
put on the wrathe before my own time comes;
let the masther find a wrathe for the bride,
and a bride for, the wrathe." The guests
arriving qaickly, Tim resumed the dignity of
office.
"The Honorable Miss Potters—of Rounda
bout Place," bawled Tim, announcing the
little Potters, who looked as symmertical as
so many Dutch cheeses: " Mr. Jerimiah
Henderson—of the Branch Bank of 11l igance,
—lngland, I mean," continued Tini, dub- 1
bing,,sotto voice, every one with his vocation,
or some title of his own conferring: "The
three Miss Jenkenses—of Treacle Terrace,
spinsteri I"
The three Miss Jenkenses, who overheard
the description, simultaneously turned their
frowning faces towards Tim—" if looks could
kill, he had not lived," but nothing daunted,
he went on. "The Very'Riverint Archdea
con Tithe-ever—from the Close-corn Catchall,
D. D. The learned Doctor Quackem of
CroSs-bones Lodge, Care — lll Row, M. D.
Save and preserve us! -Mr. Flexible Flint—
of Tinder-touch Hall, and Mrs. and Miss
Clackets—from over the way!"
These, with several others, made a cora
fomble squeeze at the breakfast table, where
everything was elegantly arranged, and at
the head of which sat Mr. Ii illwinning~
really Ipoking remarkably well, and airman
interesting. The breakfast was so substantial
as to cause some of the gentlemen to forget
that they had come ,for any other purpose
than to partake of it; but the ladies were
vigilant watchers, with one eye on the door,
and the other on Mr. Killwiuning, who seem
ed more than ever agreable and polite to all;
yet an accurate observer might notice a slight
restlessness and increasing anxiety, which,
without impairing his extreme urbanity,
seemed at variance with his usual placid
equanimity.
Mrs. Clacket, who couldn't be silent and
who, seated on Mr. Killwinning's right, kept
up a running•fire of small•talk, said: "My
dear Mr. Killwinning, allow' me to congmtu:
late yon on—the weather"—there certainly
seemed to be no wife forthcoming to con.
gratulate him upon—"l consider this bright
morning particularly auspicious; and you
know the old saying: 'Happy is the bride the
sun shines on.'"
This was a sort of electric touch that
turned •all eyes into a note of interrogation
towards Mr. Ell'winning. He answered it
with the most ingenuous smile, saying: "My
dear Mrs. Clacket, she shall be au happy as
a devoted husband can 'make,her; and I trust
she may look to bright and beautiful us she
does at this moment I"
More notes of -interrogation from "ladies'
eyes, around." This allusion of Mr. Kill
winning's gave the bride . "a local habitation,"
though no name. She must be in the room
—but where?—Some feeied she 'might be
shut up in the cupboard; others, that she was
under the table. Mr.. Flexible Flint, a - BO
gentleman, drawled out to Miss Jenkens
"Our friend, the" bridegroom, appears to be
indulging iu hallucination, or is Under the
,influence of elairiroyance, unless, my dear
Miss Jenkens, you are the happy 'woman."
• " Oh, Heaven forbid I" replied Miss Jen•
kens, with well-affected indignation.
Mr. Kiliwinning—whose every - word and
movement were undergoing severe criticism
—now looked at his•wateh. •
:" Ho begins to suspect. he's jilted," whis
pered to Jekalsens.
Killwinning rose, evidently for tle
purpose 'of. making a speech.
"Poor devil t" compassionately eicelainad
Flint.
Au awful pantie ensued—all eyes right on
[Concluded on save* page.]